Running Gear Clean Up

[solanderi]

Any one w/ advice as to how to best clear props, rudders, shafts etc from growth? The marine store i go to told me that the divers buy metal scrapers for the job....does that sound right? Can I cause any problems to my running gear w/ metal scrapers? Thank you.

 

[Kathy L]

Scrapers, wire brushes, Scotch Brite pads they use them all! They clean mine once a month (summer every three weeks) with no ill effects. As long as they don't get over zealous!!

 

[Genesis]

You got it.

I use a 2" stiff taping blade.

If you rinse it every time it'll last a few months.. or buy a SS one....

 

[Capten]

If the boat is out of the water, you can use muriatic acid to help clean/etch the barnacle pads off of shafts and props when you are done scraping. Be careful not to get the acid on anything that is not metal such as fiberglass or cutlass bearings.

Does anyone have any experience with a product called Propspeed? http://www.propspeed.com/ It is a 2 part product that is applied to your running gear and is supposed to eliminate barnacle growth. It is ridiculously pricey. I went ahead and bought some and applied it to the shafts this spring. So far, no barnacles on the shafts while the props have had some growth that has needed to be removed.

 

[Capt K]

I know a lot of the "megayachts" in our area have used propspeed on their wheels near the hub and it seems to work keeping barnacles away. I have been down and seen the results. Most of these boats stay south in the winter, too.

I just haven't had the heart to spend the $$ on mine. It's just as easy to go under every few weeks and keep an eye on it.

Capt K

 

[Pascal]

metal scrappers work fine... I used to do it myself before i got a diver to clean the bottom every month. Without diving gear, using jsut snorkeling gear, it's quite a work out !