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Props catching seaweed

7K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  rikhall 
#1 ·
I'm considering getting rid of my Campbell Sailor prop, due to the fact that it is always wrapped with seaweed. We'll go from 5 knots to 2 knots and the vibration is maddening. I can't motor for an hour without needing to stop and run in reverse a few times to try and free it up.

I thought it must be something specific to the prop, perhaps because it is so small and tucked behind the keel deadwood in the rudder aperture.

What makes this setup such a seaweed magnet??


I never had an issue with the old prop setup (large blades):

Note that when the boat was in the water, I had a shaft zinc just in front of the old prop.

I'm wondering if it would help to put a shaft zinc in front of the CS prop? since this is where the seaweed tends to collect.

I'm open to any suggestions. I don't really want to buy a new prop, but this is maddening!!
 
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#2 ·
After Irene last year, we had lots of fouling problems on our prop (regular 3 blade). We had never once fouled the prop before and I was backing down several time an hour and diving once a day.

In our case, putting a shaft zinc ~ 1/2" forward of the prop prevented further fouling. When it was closer to the prop, the seaweed would get stuck in between it and the prop but with it farther forward than the diameter of a piece of seaweed, we have not fouled anything since.

Playing with a zinc might be worth a shot.
 
#3 ·
Nothing scientific, but until 2 years ago I only had 2 blade props and catching kelp was infrequent, since I've had a 3 blade seems like a daily PITA. A month ago I heard a rythmic tap tap tap coming from under the boat, peering over the stern revealed a trailing piece of polypropalene rope. Sailed into the slip and the diver pulled a wad of rope, homemade plywood floats (the tap, tap sound), hooks and weights.
 
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