I suspect that the broad difference in prop anti fouling coating performance relates to the way sea creatures attach to the prop.
Here in the PNW, at Shilshole Bay Marina, barnacles are the problem not mussels. Even when the zinc paint is wearing out a light brush will remove any that remain after applying power to the prop for a few minutes. The zinc paint seems to kill the barnacles or at least prevent them from attaching to the coating. IIRC mussels attach with a self created fiber. Barnacles seem to grow onto the substrate with a softer foot or base which may be easier to poison. What do the local power generation and utilities use to keep intake and discharges clear? Martin Calypso 1970 C&C 43 Seattle -----Original Message----- From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Robert Abbott Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 10:55 AM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Stus-List Prop Mussel Farm The topic is back.....last year, in an attempt to inhibit the growth of mussels on the prop and prop shaft, I coated them with lanolin.....was told or read this would help. When the boat was hauled in October, the prop/shaft were completely encased in mussels, again. The growth has a noticeable, negative effect on the performance of the prop later in the season e.g. higher RPM's to attain same cruising speed when motoring. After trying a few so called 'remedies', I am now convinced the only effective way to keep the prop free of marine growth (mussels on mine) is to dive a few times a season and physically remove them. Maybe I need a few pounds of lead, my safety harness on and tethered to the toerail and a few feet of hose the top end tied to the pushpit and me breathing from the bottom end. However, before I comtemplated something like that, there is one more 'remedy' I have heard/read about......it involves coating the prop/shaft with "galvanized zinc spray paint". I have never seen this done and do not know what effect it might have on the bronze prop (shouldn't be negative but I'm not sure). There is never any marine growth on my sacrificial zinc(s). Has anyone heard of this? Anyone with any experience with this paint on props? Bob Abbott AZURA C&C 32 - 84 Halifax, N.S. _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com
