barnacles on prop, shaft

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that vinegar or acetic acid will remove the barnacle bits...without damaging the metal.

Polishing the surfaces makes it more difficult for the underwater growth to adhere...but coating it with something like vaseline or such will help prevent growth as well...

[Bene505]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I'd point out that vinegar or acetic acid will remove the barnacle bits...without damaging the metal.

Polishing the surfaces makes it more difficult for the underwater growth to adhere...but coating it with something like vaseline or such will help prevent growth as well...

Coating your shaft with vaseline -- never hard of that.

I heard something about covering your prop with a sharpie's indellible ink. Didn't try it though.

Anyone want to get 3 products and use a different one on each prop blade? tehn we would really have a very controlled study to see what works.

Regards,
Brad

[T37Chef]

The vaseline works, for a while. I use it on my speedo wheel

[mgmhead]

The Petit spray has been the best I've found. In the Chesapeake from
April till November and only cleaned once in August, in the water and scraped by hand. This was the second year I've used it and I found that several coats (3 or 4) gave better results than the two coats applied the previous year. Maybe 2009 was a milder year for barnicles in Rock Hall, but I don't think so. Anyhow, next spring I'll be applying six coats of Petit Zinc Spray.

[pegasus1457]

Originally Posted by mgmhead

Anyhow, next spring I'll be applying six coats of Petit Zinc Spray.

The Pettit instructions warn you not to apply more than 2 coats or risk wrinkling and peeling. Don't get carried away

[ChuckA]

ChuckA wrote> I since learned that the nuts are on backwards in this picture. The thin nut is supposed to go against the prop with the thicker nut on the end of the shaft. It ran like that for a couple of seasons after which I reversed them. Don't think it made any real difference.

BELLATRIX1965 wrote > ChuckA - you had the prop shaft nuts on CORRECTLY in your photo - the thick nut should be next to the prop - its numerous threads take up the axial load of "pushing" the prop onto the shaft taper - the thin nut is only a jam locking device to keep the whole mess from un-screwing (just in case anybody else looks at this thread!).

That's what I used to think too, but I've been told otherwise by people with more knowledge and experience than me. The image below is from the installation instructions on the Michigan Wheel website it clearly shows the thin nut going on the shaft first, followed by the thicker nut.


Here is a link to installation instructions on the Tacoma propeller website, a dealer of Michigan (and other) props. It specifically states:

Correct Nut Instaltation Procedure: Install Jam Nut (thin) first than the Full nut (thick) goes on second.

my parting comment: on the cruisers & Sailing forum GreatKetch wrote>

At least you didn't ask which nut goes on first the big one or the little one. That ALWAYS starts a fight.

I'm not sure why. I think it has to do with most of the load is taken up in the first 1.5 threads. The flexibility (thinness) of the nut affects the load distribution as well.

I'm a lover, not a fighter, so I'll let it drop at that.
Cheers,
Chuck

[T37Chef]

Chuck...FYI, time for a new thread I think

[saildog1]

I also use the Petit Zinc spray and it works pretty good. Do a couple coats and the prop and shaft should stay clean. Don't spray the zincs.

LUNA
Tartan 3800 #3

[GaryHLucas]

The prop nut debate is interesting. A couple months ago I got a copy of Professional BoatBuilder and they had an extensive article on it. It seems there is an ABYC standard on it, and the thin nut goes against the prop! The reason makes sense. When you tighten the outer nut it it unloads the threads on the inner nut. So you want the outer nut thicker to carry the load, and the inner nut locks it by friction.

Gary H. Lucas

[chef2sail]

I am in the same creek as t37chef. Like him I use the petit spray and am amazed with the results. When swimming in the summer I put the snorkel on and do a few dives and use a green pad to take of any critters who want to nest..

Dave