running gear coating

[Kathy L]

I have seen a product called "Propspeed" by Dulon International for keeping the running gear clean. Has anyone had any experience with it? Thanks, John.

 

[Capt K]

I have seen it used on the hub area on some megayachts that I have been under for cleaning, servicing. It seems to work great and the captains all swear by it. I don't know why they only use it on the hubs, tho.

Capt K

 

[Kathy L]

Cap K, I'm going to call them tomorrow. Good point to bring up! Thanks, John.

 

[mike]

Pls let us all know what you find out. i went to their website, but could not find a listing for the product you described, however other interesting cleaning products are listed. Do you have a US based source for the running gear coating?

 

[Top Shelf]

Propspeed

I had it applied to my wheels on the last haul out (April of this year). Did the 2 part stuff (don't have the recipe with me) on the balance of the running gear, to save on cost. The two part stuff is holding up well. The propseed is coming off in sheets and patches. You could argue that the wheels are "abused" more than the shafts and struts, but I have abuddy with a 48 Ocean and the 2 part stuff on his wheels and they are holding up well.

It's not just the tips or edges, but in various places. And obviously the question is did the yeard do the right prep and application work. Not sure, just real disappointed and based on the added cost I wouldn't do it again. Thx.

 

[Capten]

Seems that PropSpeed is gaining some mainstream popularity. There is an article reviewing it in this months InTheBite.com Unplugged magazine (below) and it is also now being offered by the service department at our marina.

We tried PropSpeed on our shafts last spring and it seemed to have worked very well during the season. No barnacle growth at all on the treated surfaces all season. I wasn't sure if this was just a mild year for marine growth or if the PropSpeed was doing its job. With all of the good press recently I guess I'll assume that the stuff works!

 

[REBrueckner]

Prop coatings are problematic. Surface cleaning is critical for proper adhesion and life. I gave up on other two part coatings. It seemed to help, but was much too expensive to have the yard do it. They love it because its a profit center.
What makes a huge difference in how long the stuff lasts is how frequently you use your boat. I notice most lobster boats in Maine seem to leave their props unpainted. They are used daily during the barnacle/mussel reproductive seaon. Now that I have been running my boat during six months of summer travel use each year, my props stay pretty clean without any coating of any kind. During the second season, however, stuff gets a hold and I have to scrape barnacles off my shafts, engine and toilet intakes, swim platform supports and inside of trim tabs.

I don't use the boat all that many more hours than I used to, maybe 140 vs 100 hours, but it doesn't sit five days a week the way it did when I worked. It appears to me that frequent use, even if not for all that many hours, dislodges early growth. Boats that sit in a marina all sumer in NY get loaded with marine growth...

 

[Paul45c]

I live in S. Florida and used PropSpeed on my shafts and rudders last haulout -- the stuff really retarded growth a lot, and what growth that eventually showed up could just be wiped off gently with my diving glove (in fact, I think that's what PropSpeed recommends). It had good active antifouling properties for at least 8 months, I'd estimate, and at least slowed down the worst growth for another few after that. I'll be doing it again, but this time I'll try it on the props, too. They claim it can add 1-2 kts. of top speed.

 

[Kathy L]

launched the Kathy L Monday. After this thread and a lot of "dock rat" talking I decided not to use anything on the running gear.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I have never found anything that would help as far as fouling on the underwater metal parts, whether they rotate or not. I even did the whole Interprotect RX a few years back; down to bright metal, then zinc chromate primer, then five coats of IP, then bottom paint. Came right off in sheets. Now I paint the metal parts except the props, and try to run the boat a lot. That works better than anything. This year I am going to try to find a diver to go down there midseason and look at it all. I never have more than a very few barnacles on the FBG areas, but plenty of them on the metal parts. Whoever figures this out will be one rich dude. He'll have the better mousetrap for sure.

 

[MikeP]

Jim,

You have plenty of interests - might as well add a dive certification and do it yourself. That was my only reason for getting certified late last year.

Be careful though, it ended up somewhat more expensive than I thought - we've ended up going to Cozumel and Grand Cayman with another trip to GC scheduled for next month. So my plan to only scuba under the boat and only to 15-20 feet went out the window.

 

[Genesis]

Yeah, that's the problem with diving - you start, you may not stop. Its kinda like crack in that regard..... I started to clean the boat and now dive caves, wrecks, basically anything with water....

 

[Nonchalant1]

Mike,

I knew this would (happily) happen we were discussing it in that first thread. Diving's totally great. Grand Caymen is the best diving there is. I've been to Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti, USVI, BVI, Bahamas, Cozumel, etc. and I like the diving in CG the most. I like St. John, USVI the most beautiful, natural island beach and dive vacation spot because 2/3rds of the island is a national park, but the diving is just good, not great.

Doug

Jim,

You have plenty of interests - might as well add a dive certification and do it yourself. That was my only reason for getting certified late last year.

Be careful though, it ended up somewhat more expensive than I thought - we've ended up going to Cozumel and Grand Cayman with another trip to GC scheduled for next month. So my plan to only scuba under the boat and only to 15-20 feet went out the window.

 

[Nonchalant1]

Yeah, that's the problem with diving - you start, you may not stop. Its kinda like crack in that regard..... I started to clean the boat and now dive caves, wrecks, basically anything with water....

Karl,

Do you dive John Pennekamp reef? Do they allow pleasure boats at the reef and have extra mooring balls? I've been there on the park service boat, but I'd love to stop there with my Hatt when we pass by Key Largo.

Doug

 

[Genesis]

There is no such thing as "extra" mooring balls - its first come, first serve and anyone can use 'em.

If you're tied to one, then you are. Protocol is not to remain tied unless you're actually diving.....