Props--to clean or not to clean that is the question

Absolutely worth the effort. Here's a thread on the issue:
http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/t...unning-gear-antifoul.html?highlight=propspeed

Guess the prop is out of the water. I'd just use a plastic paint scrapper with a small metal one for the tougher barnacles, followed by a Scotchbrite pad. 10 minute job.

You'd be surprised, but some scaling and a few barnacles can knock off 10% of your speed/efficiency pretty easily. Most people use a 2" wide s/s putty knife. Yards will typically spray acid on them and then wash it off......

Propspeed or trilux works well at keeping barnacles and growth off.......You'll really need to prep the propellors if you decide to coat them with either.

On this same topic, I have a friend that owns a powder coating business. Has anyone ever had the chance to try powder coating on a set of props? I'm not sure it would retard growth, but I would think it would at least protect better than anti-fouling paint. It would last longer, even if you were ocassionally cultivating some shallow areas.

Any thoughts?

I think it would be very cost prohibitive to powder coat propellors, and I would think that if there is even a hint of electrolysis it would probably peel the powdercoating right off of them. These are just a guess.

Prior to powdercoating, the props get beadblasted/pressure washed/scotchbrite scuffed. They would certainly be free from any elctrolysis. The coating would cost $150 total for both 23" props.

Electrolyses from the electricity in the water and from the vessel itself and vessels around it from their shorepower. Powdercoating is much more expensive here. You could always try it.........but I think if it was effective people would be doing it.......

If you use Propspeed, consider this tip I learned from Marine Group Boatworks in San Diego. Mask the blade tip edges prior to applying prop speed. An uneven drip or coating on the edges can create a prop note or singing once underway.