What is the best way to prevent barnacle growth on the propeller?

[jameswilson29]

I am thinking about putting several coats of ordinary metal paint on the propeller, sanding, and applying ablative bottom paint.

By the way, I removed my propeller yesterday without a $200 propeller puller. Instead, I used a $15 Wallyworld propane torch, a piece of scrap lumber, and an ordinary hammer.

The temperature was in the mid-40s at the marina, so the torch created quite a temperature differential between the propeller and the propeller shaft, which remained cool to the touch. After the propeller heated up, I was able to pop it off with the hammer. The old prop was in bad shape: SailNet Community - jameswilson29's Album: Winter repairs: replace propeller

[Tempest]

Based on reports that I read here..( can't find the thread). I used Petit Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier on my prop at the beginning of this past season.

Pettit Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier

I applied three lite coats to a clean prop. When I pulled the boat this November I was amazed, not a single barnacle on the prop. It looked exactly the same as the day it went into the water. I was planning on posting a picture the next time I go down to the boat. This product worked great for me!

[jameswilson29]

Did you prime the propeller or put the zinc paint directly on the bare metal?

[BubbleheadMd]

Originally Posted by Tempest

Based on reports that I read here..( can't find the thread). I used Petit Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier on my prop at the beginning of this past season.

Pettit Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier

I applied three lite coats to a clean prop. When I pulled the boat this November I was amazed, not a single barnacle on the prop. It looked exactly the same as the day it went into the water. I was planning on posting a picture the next time I go down to the boat. This product worked great for me!

I did the same. I believe the directions called for a direct application to clean, bare metal, with no primer.

[RichH]

2007-2009 were especially bad for barnacles on the Upper Chesapeake .... the deposition of 'slime' was especially bad which let the barnacles get a 'foothold' on virtually 'everything' including normal bottom paint. Pettit Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier - kept my prop stunningly free of barnacles.

2010 the water in the bay kept 'turning over' and mixing with the return of the prevailing SW winds (were primarily westerly in 2007-2009 and the bay did not 'turnover'), no slime and very few barnacles!!!!! ... but I still paint the prop with Pettit Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier!

[PhilipStevens]

Originally Posted by jameswilson29

Did you prime the propeller or put the zinc paint directly on the bare metal?

I have just been reading all the tech specs, and it has to go on bare metal - no primer - but two coats. The second coat when the first is touch dry.

"Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier 1792 provides easy to use aerosol spray protection for bare metals including steel, stainless steel, cast iron, copper, bronze, galvanized steel, and lead. It forms an excellent bond to underwater metals and running gear, and inhibits corrosion on these surfaces. Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier’s smooth, hard surface will self-clean in service, and can be used above or below the waterline. The dried film of Zinc Coat contains 93% pure zinc. Not for use on aluminum surfaces."

Looks good.

I have located a similar product in the UK - Zingaspray. http://www.zinga-uk.com/how.html.
"• In some marine environments barnacles do not like the taste of zinc and many other forms of marine life do not like adhering to the Zinga surface because of the low current passing between the zinc and the substrate."

I have tried -
bare polished prop - growth after a few months.
hard anti-fouling - reasonable result until it started to flake off.

I think I will be giving Zingaspray a go this coming season.

[sailordave]

One more vote for Barnacle Barrier here!

[kb3pwc]

Very interesting....Is the Zinc Coat cheaper than Prop Speed (that works extremely well but is very pricey)? We had the unfortunate loss of our clean, shiny one year old Prop Speed due to having our bottom sand blasted and they went hog wild and did the prop too. Maybe we should switch???

Leslie

s/v Tango, Cabo Rico 34
On the Hard, Lankford Bay Marina
Chester River, MD

[jrd22]

I've used Trilux spray antifoul that is designed for outdrives and lower units on outboards. I prime the bare metal with zinc chromate spray primer and then two coats of the Trilux. Two years in the water and no barnacles here in the PNW (not sure how it would hold up elsewhere), and the paint is still looks good on the prop. About $20/can at WM.

[Tempest]

Originally Posted by jameswilson29

Did you prime the propeller or put the zinc paint directly on the bare metal?

Bare metal. Clean and shiny. Try to pick a day that's not too windy