I hauled my boat the other day after it had sat at the dock for about 6 weeks. On the way to the boat ramp I could not get more then 12 or so MPH out of her. On pulling the boat I found that my Volvo Duo props were fouled with barnacles - big and small ones! Not able to take the time and clean them off and take it for a run I am now wondering if the barnacles where in fact what kept my speed down. Any one experience this problem?
Fouled props
- Thread starter richocki
- Start date
The barnacles will provide a seriously detrimental flow across the face of the blades . That said, the Parker 25 across the dock from my boat has a little-use Merc B3 that grows a lot of long grass that I would think would also badly degrade performace, but the owner says when he does get off the dock to run it up, the props self-clean . I'm not sure I really buy that, but I truly believe no way your barnacles are going to dislodge underway. A little scraping with a plastic or metal putty knife followed by rubbing with a Scotch-Brite pad should make a world of difference. On some props a careful application of muriatic acid for short duraton followed by good rinse can quickly rid any calcium build-up.
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2001
- RO Number
- 3641
- Messages
- 765
MaryKate's "On and Off" will clear the barnacles. The barnacles will absolute kill your speed. Six weeks is plenty of time for a good growth in warm, brackish water like the Caloosahatchee River or the canals of Marathon, both in FL. Been there. Even the Cheasapeake Bay under certain conditions can experience a barnacle "bloom".
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2007
- RO Number
- 27326
- Messages
- 760
Barnacles are a major PITA on your props. In our waters barnacles are the biggest issue that we fight. They even grom on the dinghy after only a week in the water. Best anti-barnacle product I have found is PropSpeed, the stuff is great.
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2003
- RO Number
- 12212
- Messages
- 12,219
absolutely... barnacles on the props will kill not only speed but obviously fuel economy. on a stern drive, you can often tilt the drive up and clean the props lying on the swim platform but even if you have to get in the water it's pretty easy.
get a metal scrapper, for small props a 4" scrapper will do.
get a metal scrapper, for small props a 4" scrapper will do.
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 1702
- Messages
- 1,621
Happened to me when I was in the water in Florida. Once I moved to Carolina I was in fresh water and the problem was minimalized.
Used to have to carry a putty knife and a paint scraper
Used to have to carry a putty knife and a paint scraper
Prospective
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- RO Number
- 23085
- Messages
- 1,343
Pascals right and that's exactly what I do. Tilt up the stern drives and scrape with a putty knife and wire brush from the dock and swim platform. It's not too bad if they're on the drive leg. But if they are on your prop you're not going anywhere fast. I have to clean my duoprops at least every two weeks. If your props are stainless steel like mine, the barnciles come off pretty easy and clean but you have to scrape them.
Everyone Thank You for your reassurance. I hoped the barnacles were the problem. You all have made my long winter easier to take by not worrying if I had an engine problem. Through out the summer when at a beach I do go over the side and clean off the out drive and props. I just had not done it for the 6 weeks prior to my hauling the boat. A fellow boater at my marina also suggested using the clear anti fouling spray paint. But as long as I can get in the water to clean them off I think I'll be ok. The props are hard to reach from the swim platform.
Thanks again all and have a happy and speedy winter
Thanks again all and have a happy and speedy winter