Antifoul alternatives, fact or fiction!

larby · 17-02-2009, 10:55 PM

I just spent my entire f'ing evening looking into ultrasound antifouling for my cat just to find out.... It doesn't work on wooden boats!

I can antifoul the boat but i've gotta find a way of keeping the engines clean! Back to the drawing board. Anyone got any ideas/experiences?

James

motorvator · 17-02-2009, 11:22 PM

I guess you could try this gear, no experience.

http://www.prop-shield.com/

But won't you be able to just trim them clear of the water?

Andy B · 17-02-2009, 11:36 PM

bag'um up

dont look pretty but keeps them clean.
spray the leg with WD40 or such like,
then heavy duty black bags over the gearboxes,
keeping the top of the bag above the water line!

Tom Stone · 17-02-2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorvator

I guess you could try this gear, no experience.

http://www.prop-shield.com/

But won't you be able to just trim them clear of the water?

i noticed that was tested in one of the magazines this month, doesn't make any differents apparently

motorvator · 18-02-2009, 12:37 AM

In which case I think you're down to trilux, prop o drev, or mille drive. Just make sure it's an aluminium compatible antifoul or you'll destroy the lot in no time.

Volvo used to do a clear antifoul coating years ago, can't find it now so I guess it was killing the fishys.

Think you need to be thinking about active anode systems too or at least shed of scrap zinc over the side electrically attached to engines. Just make sure you get it at the right height.

larby · 18-02-2009, 10:18 AM

I definately won't be able to trim them the whole way out, and i'm worried about the saddle, trim pumps and lifters too.
I've thought about the idea of bagging the legs, seems like a plan to me, it'll protect the props well, but i've still got the issue of the saddle etc. And yeah, I'd thought about the anode situation, need to sort something there!

Cheers, James

Techteam · 18-02-2009, 11:09 AM

Based on personal experience I can recommend propspeed, I've used it on a couple of things from 18ft up to 48 meters it looks a bit odd but if properly applied it is very effective.

http://www.propspeed.co.uk/

wiggy808 · 18-02-2009, 12:32 PM

We've used prop-shield on our 40ft tender last season. Yanmars on Bravos. We were based in Palma and it performed really well, different products work differently in different waters.

It could be a case of prop-shield and the bags mentioned and also making sure your anodes are tip top.

Matt · 18-02-2009, 12:45 PM

I gotta be honest, I'd just tow the boat illegally now and again.
I absolutely would not leave the boat in the water.

motorvator · 18-02-2009, 01:56 PM

Someone had to say what we're all thinking

larby · 18-02-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techteam

Based on personal experience I can recommend propspeed, I've used it on a couple of things from 18ft up to 48 meters it looks a bit odd but if properly applied it is very effective.

http://www.propspeed.co.uk/

Sounds like an interesting product, most importantly you've used it and say it works well...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

I gotta be honest, I'd just tow the boat illegally now and again.
I absolutely would not leave the boat in the water.

It's easier said than done though. Storage out of the water is an issue for starters, and the marina and surrounding area is heavily covered by CCTV.
Guernsey is a very small island and there's police around all the time, I would only manage it once or twice before i'm caught. They operate a zero tolerace system over here and the penalty for incorrect load is 6 months off the road and unlimited fine. Not to mention i'm a registered marine trader so it wouldn't look very good for me to get caught towing illegally! It's just not an option!
You can get away with that kind of stuff in the uk, no problem. That's just not the case over here, and there's no slips i can use other than the ones in the two marinas.

James

TECKNO 40 · 18-02-2009, 02:20 PM

We use it on loads of stuff in poole harbour and as long as its applied as per the instructions have found it to be very good

Andy B · 18-02-2009, 05:23 PM

thinking outside of the box a bit here but can you get your hands on an old set of tubes from someone who has had there rib retubed?
then inflate them in your tunnel.
wont get your cat out of the water but might be enuf to get the motors out.

Matt · 18-02-2009, 05:32 PM

motors on lifters, and tilt

larby · 18-02-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy B

thinking outside of the box a bit here but can you get your hands on an old set of tubes from someone who has had there rib retubed?
then inflate them in your tunnel.
wont get your cat out of the water but might be enuf to get the motors out.

Thought of that, designed a lift to keep the whole boat out, or looked into ways of keeping the back out. The marina won't allow it in any way at all as they say it stresses our (already falling apart) pontoons. Ideal solution otherwise!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

motors on lifters, and tilt

Motors are going on lifters, but due to the design of the back, I'd have to lift them about 15" to tilt them back enough. Actually, saying that, i could redesign the back totally... Oh lord, more work. Wonder if that'd be worth it... But i could protect the leg part just as well with a bag, it's the trim bits that are the issue. Hmmmmm.

Burty · 18-02-2009, 06:44 PM

this might be a silly question but what does the bag achieve? surely the bag would also be full of water?? how do you put the leg in it if you cant tilt your engines??

Carl · 18-02-2009, 07:02 PM

it keeps the legs in the dark,so the weed cant grow so much/quick,i was tempted to try it once,with hesian sacks

Andy B · 18-02-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burty

this might be a silly question but what does the bag achieve? surely the bag would also be full of water?? how do you put the leg in it if you cant tilt your engines??

thats when you need one of these,
once you've got the bag around the gearbox and mid you pump it out, spray with WD40 then seal the top! it works for when you have to leave the motor lowers partly submerged for long periods

altenativley get some large friends to sit on the pointy end (ends) while you do the bagging up!

Andy B · 18-02-2009, 10:11 PM

i used to dream about owning a big boat,
not any more!
i think i'l stay in the under 18's

larby · 18-02-2009, 10:24 PM

yeah, believe me, i wish i'd stuck with a P20 or something!!

The idea with the bag is that i will submerge it and pull up over the (partially tilted) leg, attach it at the top and then pour a bit of bleach in! That combined with the darkness should stop any growth, I'll just increase the bleach level till it does. I've heard of the americans doing this with entire boats!

James