ASLAN Back to the Yard

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Aslan came out of the yard with a new bottom on May 18th. The first dive, subsequent, was revealing. The bottom and props were doing well. The bottom was double coated with Pettit Ultima and the props with Pettit Barnacle Barrier.

The underwater gear, not doing so well. The struts, rudder, screens and waterline were done with Pettit Trinidad. The shafts were left bare. The first dive was 4-1/2 weeks after splashing. Diver found 2" of barnacle growth on the rudders and similar heavy growth on the struts and screens. It appeared the Trinidad was not adhering well. Subsequent cleaning revealed shiny metal.

Since my diver, Ken, and the yard know each other well, I put them in direct contact to avoid any he-said-she-said. Meanwhile, I was preparing for the fight. I can't tell you how disappointed I was when the yard, Marine Propulsion (Anthony Black), Rockville, SC, took responsibility and offered me reasonable options to make it good. Anthony wrote, in part:

Having spoken to Ken we're unsure as to whether there is a "paint" problem or if there's an application problem.

So, there's obviously a problem which I am responsible for. Those are the two options I have to resolve it. Just let me know which you would prefer and I'll take care of it.

I'm really sorry for the hassle!

Having some experience with boatyards over the years, I really appreciate a business that honors its obligations without having to be reminded.

So, the only outstanding question is what do I do with the bare shafts. Anthony advises leaving them so. He also does not recommend Prop Speed or other nano-technology products in these waters. Just too dirty and gritty in his opinion. And, he has the photos to make his point.

I did a good bit of asking around before picking Anthony to haul Aslan. Obviously, the effort paid off. I can unreservedly recommend Marine Propulsion as a thisHATTERAS APPROVED yard.



BTW, here's my new ladder fender. This is a neat solution to launching and retrieving my Novurania tender. 8-10' more cable would be great, but my davit has all the cable it can hold.



And it's important that momma can get in her flying carpet and go!

 

[motoryacht lover]

When my boat use to stay in Charleston I noticed the fouling was very heavy and fast. How about cleaning every 2-3 weeks if the boat doesn’t move.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

When my boat use to stay in Charleston I noticed the fouling was very heavy and fast. How about cleaning every 2-3 weeks if the boat doesn’t move.

It’s heavy, but the paint ain’t supposed to come off right out of the yard.

 

[riverrandy]

Did I miss a post or a section? I love to hear there are still honorable boat yards! but what are the options? How does one get paint to stay on the metal work, and what will they use? I like Marpro Super B Gold (Last hard bottom paint with 67% cupporus oxide) but getting it to stay on metal is a real booger (apologies for profanity)!

 

[Boatsb]

Prepping metal is critical. I've used a 2 part metal etching epoxy with a second epoxy over it in 20 minutes for bonding. After that 3 more coats at short intervals never allowing the coat to cure before recreating then most importantly the first coat of bottom paint 15 to 30 minutes after the last epoxy coat.

It's a lot of work. I also use the glidecoat prop optimizer and it needs to be on a perfectly clean surface that has just been sanded shiny and not allowed to oxidize at all. I would give it less than 30 minutes between sanding and prep cleaning then application.

Again prep is the most important part.

 

[krush]

My understanding is barnacles don't grow on turning shafts or props. Needs more hours running, not more paint (of course, I jest as my boat is on the hard).

 

[carolinacoast]

We are in the same water, and move less.
Prop speed is far too expensive, but has been the only thing that has allowed the metal to perform with the seahawk qkote. Divers don't scrape the metal, just rub.
If I had better control of yard quality there might be a more reasonable answer. On season 4, with a refresh during/after Matthew.

 

[JD5652]

I've used Prop Speed for about 10 yewars with great success. I stayed in the water for three seasons and it was only showing minor signs of small barnacles at that point. Howeer, I did keep the boat in Connecticut which is a differnt climate and water. ... It is expensive.... but was worth it for me... I did coat the shafts and all other underwater metal including the props got a coat of Prop Speed.... YMMV

Here's pics after three years in the water.... no haul out...

 

[JD5652]

Here's some pics with Prop Speed recoated... I always did this myself...

 

[Photolomy]

That's what it looks like after 3 years with propspeed?

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

In Connecticut

 

[Photolomy]

What would it be like in Florida? I had enormous growth on the running gear in 8 months. Granted, I didn't put anything on it. I did the hull with Pettit SR 60 and that did well. What is the best way to coat running gear? Some say that using the copper paint will cause electrolysis issues, unless there is something in between. I see propspeed for $373 to cover two props. Though, I guess you need it for the rudders and shafts as well. I might do those with something else and the props only with propspeed. Good news though, on our last cruise I noticed a big difference in speed, and couldn't plane. My first thought was the bottom, and I was right. It was essentially the props. I am concerned that the struts had growth, because I did paint them. It's all clean now, but will come back in no time I suspect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=negABpXjZ-I

 

[Pascal]

I believe CT has a law against in water bottom cleaning, that s what I was told by a yard a few years ago before a delivery south

Down here a monthly diver is a must. $2 a Ft is a lot cheaper than prop speed... the biggest issue with prop speed is sandblasting when operating in shallow water like the Bahamas.

 

[Photolomy]

I believe CT has a law against in water bottom cleaning, that s what I was told by a yard a few years ago before a delivery south

Down here a monthly diver is a must. $2 a Ft is a lot cheaper than prop speed... the biggest issue with prop speed is sandblasting when operating in shallow water like the Bahamas.

How is $2 a ft (and it is more like $3) a month, cheaper than propspeed?

 

[Photolomy]

Or maybe you meant that since you have to dive the boat anyways, it is cheaper than diving and using propspeed. How about some of the other products, like Petite Prop Coat? Those are pretty cheap. Seems like I should use something at least. The hull paint is doing its job.

 

[jim rosenthal]

We just hauled Blue Note to change the wheels. The old props, the struts, the rudders, trim planes all had substantial growth of small barnacles. The hull surfaces are clean. I resprayed everything with Barnacle Barrier, but if that doesn't work I'm thinking about PropSpeed.

 

[motoryacht lover]

I have used prop speed with mixed results. As everyone is saying its all in the prep and application. Some of the prop shops are putting it on. I think that works better. I think the Petit product is just as good as prop speed and not as expensive. I left my boat in Wilmington, Charleston, Brunswick GA, and miscellaneous places in Florida over the years. To me Charleston and Brunswick, GA are the worst for fouling. So if my memory is right in Brunswick I had a diver every 3 weeks.

 

[JD5652]

I believe CT has a law against in water bottom cleaning, that s what I was told by a yard a few years ago before a delivery south

Down here a monthly diver is a must. $2 a Ft is a lot cheaper than prop speed... the biggest issue with prop speed is sandblasting when operating in shallow water like the Bahamas.

If the marina is a "certified clean marina", then yes there are restrictions on "bottom cleaning in the water".... just as in other onerous laws … people find ways around those... For me... I could be in Rhode Island waters in 15 minutes... NY waters in 5 minutes...

 

[JD5652]

I have used prop speed with mixed results. As everyone is saying its all in the prep and application. Some of the prop shops are putting it on. I think that works better. I think the Petit product is just as good as prop speed and not as expensive. I left my boat in Wilmington, Charleston, Brunswick GA, and miscellaneous places in Florida over the years. To me Charleston and Brunswick, GA are the worst for fouling. So if my memory is right in Brunswick I had a diver every 3 weeks.

For me... I just followed the directions that came with the product and it worked the first time … every time... YMMV....

 

[ageless]

booger (apologies for profanity)!

I am clearly a blacksheep on this site, that might explain why I get no responses to requests for help