PDQ OWNERS FORUM

What do you use (if anything) for prop antifouling? Propspeed? Hard anti-fouling paint? Nothing?

The absolute best thing going is a treatment called Prop Speed. The props need to be removed for this one.

we've used petit barnicle barrier for the past 2 seasons in bahamas and florida. it has worked very well. it lists at $44 @ west. 1 spray can will do both props 2-3 coats.

We just had our props done using a new product that is supposed to be better than Prop Speed, and DIY. It is called Slick Shield, available from Stuart Yachts. Dick Tuschick raved about it at the PDQ Rendezvous.

I watched a Captain spend days over doing the prop speed process on a big fishing machine; getting down to bare metal, getting them smooth, applying the primer, then the top coat. That was last year. This year he still has barnacles.

Forgive me, but I have to point out that the best way to deal with marine growth and corrosion is to only put the props in the water when you're using them.

We just had slick shield applied at our haulout at Stuart Yacht. Not sure of results yet. Two years ago we had Prop speed applied. Wasn't impressed with prop speed - especially for the money.

Had prop speed less than a year ago with practically no beneficial results. The yard (Owl Creek) is recommending a spray with interprotect epoxy followed by Pettit Trinidad while it is still wet. Since the props on the powercat are in the water all the time (except for the few on lifts), and with a lot of nutrients in the water where I berth, I'm willing to try anything.

Like Bill P, we also had Slick Shield applied to the props and rudder on His Idea (formerly Desafinado) when she was hauled at SYH in February. There were some barnacles and growth when I checked on them (in water) last week, and I did my best to clean it off with a dish pad. This was moderately successful, but being new to the boat and this issue I'm not sure how this compares to the solutions that other folks have tried. I'll provide a future update on how the product is working when we get more experience.

John

I have used Propspeed in the past and "The Juice ain't Worth The Squeeze". For the last several seasons I have used Pettits Barnacle Barrier. On the Chesapeake, it has worked well for me. Very economical compared to Propspeed. I can do both Props and Rudders with one can. I do prep (sand and clean) my running gear prior to application but it has worked well.
Sandy Kramer
Mishigas

Gregg at Stuart yachts put teflon on my props and we found that they sang loudly up to 2000 RPMs . At Lambs Boat works in Jacksonville they filed the leading edge of the blades (4 blade props) and removed the teflon. The singing stopped but I don't know if it was the filing or the teflon removal that solved the problem.