Category Archives: Outdrives

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Are you experiencing a drop in RPM on your high-performance boat? Your propeller might be the culprit. Understanding propeller troubleshooting is essential for maintaining peak performance on the water. Here are five signs indicating fouling issues that could be impacting your propeller’s RPM:

1. Reduced RPM without Engine Changes

If you notice a decrease in RPM without any changes to the engine or throttle settings, it could indicate fouling. This sign often points to a propeller clogged with debris or marine growth.

2. Vibrations During Operation

Excessive vibrations during operation are a clear indicator of propeller issues. Fouling, such as tangled fishing lines or seaweed wrapped around the propeller, can cause these vibrations, affecting RPM.

3. Unusual Noise Levels

An increase in unusual noise levels, such as rattling or humming, could signal fouling problems. Inspect the propeller for foreign objects or damage that might be hindering its performance.

4. Sluggish Acceleration

Fouling can lead to sluggish acceleration, impacting your boat’s ability to reach optimal speeds. If you’re experiencing delayed acceleration despite full throttle, it’s time to inspect the propeller.

5. Decreased Fuel Efficiency

An unexpected decrease in fuel efficiency could be linked to fouling issues with the propeller. When the propeller struggles due to fouling, it requires more power, resulting in increased fuel consumption.

Conclusion: Addressing Fouling Issues for Peak Performance

Maintaining a high-performance boat involves regular propeller maintenance and troubleshooting. If you’re encountering reduced RPM or any of the mentioned signs, promptly inspect the propeller for fouling issues. Clearing debris, cleaning the propeller, or seeking professional assistance can restore optimal RPM and performance.

In summary, understanding the signs of fouling issues affecting your propeller’s RPM is crucial for ensuring your high-performance boat operates at its best. Keep an eye out for these indicators and address any fouling promptly to enjoy smooth and efficient sailing experiences.

PropGlide® provides a highly effective solution to address propeller problems caused by fouling. PropGlide® specialized product is designed to prevent marine growth from adhering to propellers, significantly reducing fouling-related issues and their impact on propeller performance.

Antifouling Paint or Prop Glide for Outdrives?

Which method of protective propeller coating is best for your boat? While there is no right or wrong solution, there are a few things to consider before making your decision.

Important questions to ask:

Do you haul and repaint your boat every year?
Does the prop see regular use?

Antifouling Paint – If you answered NO to the second question, you will likely be better off with traditional antifouling paint protecting your outdrive. Slick film coatings need to see regular use in order to repel fouling successfully. And if you answered YES to the first question, the additional cost of slick film coatings may not be worth it for you.

Which antifouling products are recommended for outdrives? Here are two good options.

Option 1 – Apply Tuff Stuff epoxy primer (or similar primer) direct to the metal. Paint over with a copper free bottom paint such as Colorkote. (It is very important to only use a copper-free bottom paint. Copper-based paints on underwater metals will experience galvanic corrosion.) This option guarantees the best protection and longest lasting coverage, but the paint will need to be recoated each season depending on prop usage.

Option 2 – Apply an aerosol underwater metal coating such as Barnacle Blocker or Pettit Barnacle Barrier. These are relatively inexpensive coatings that could provide a large amount of pay off.

PropGlide™ Propeller and Running Gear Coatings – If you answered YES to the second question above then you may want to give foul-release systems a try. These are non-toxic, slick coatings that prevent growth from attaching itself to the prop and running gear, thus improving your boat speed and fuel efficiency. It is important to note that for PropGlide to keep its slick quality and repel fouling, the prop needs to see regular use. Without the pesticide coatings of traditional bottom paint, a stationary prop is an easy target for barnacles and other organisms. While slick film coatings may not be the solution for all boaters, many have tried it and had great success. Note what some PropGlide users have stated below.

“For over a year, we at the Big Boat Shed ship repair and storage yard for vessels up to 60ft have been trialing out PropGlide. We have found it very user friendly and has a better finish when compared to its competitors. With our tropical humid conditions we could not have asked for a better drying time then what PropGlide offers. This allows us to plan prepare and execute any prop coating task with PropGlide such a breeze. PropGlide is now our main recommended brand for propeller and running gear antifouling coatings.” 3/8/2017

“We applied PropGlide to the propellers and rudders on our 42′ power catamaran in March 2016. We have found excellent results so far with very little growth appearing on the running gear. We have been able to maintain great boat speed, excellent economy and no vibrations unlike previous years with using other products. Our Applicator has even commentated how much easier PropGlide is to apply compared to its competitors.” Mick Malone 9/28/2016

Click this link to compare the price of Propspeed kits and PropGlide™ Propeller Paint Kits.
Click this link to read about Painting an Aluminum Outdrive

What is the Best Bottom Paint Money Can Buy?

Best Performing Bottom Paint

The best bottom paint that money can buy may NOT be the most expensive. You should buy the bottom paint that works best in your area. That will depend on the temperature of the water, tide changes, the nutrients in the water that feed unwanted growth, and many other factors.

The best bottom paint for you will be the bottom paint that stops the growth and does not break your wallet. If you buy the best performing bottom for the harshest fouling conditions and the warmest waters you would need Sea Hawk Paints Biocop TF or another Top Performing Bottom Paint. This provides you the absolute maximum protection against hard and soft growth on the bottom of your boat. This solution is recommended for high growth areas, or if you are trying to goes as long as you possibly can between bottom jobs. If you are in cooler climates or lower fouling conditions you would NOT need to spend the extra money on Sea Hawk Biocop TF. A better choice that is less expensive and will work in these conditions is Sea Hawk AF-33 or the equivalent.

ALUMINUM BOATS: The best bottom paint for an aluminum boat or pontoons is a copper free bottom paint. You cannot put the paints mentioned above (Copper-Based) on aluminum because they contain copper and will react like a battery causing pitting (holes) on aluminum. Therefore, we recommend an Aluminum Safe Bottom Paint. A good choice for aluminum is Sea Hawk Colorkote, it is copper free triple biocide paint safe for aluminum. If the aluminum has never been painted the best practice is to prime with high build epoxy primer like Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff to insure good adhesion and protect against corrosion. If you are painting a pontoon boat for the first time – try our Pontoon Bottom Paint Kit.

The best bottom paint for the outdrives is to brush on Smart Solution. (pint size). If your outdrive has never been painted before, you can use Barnacle Blocker Primer for priming the area application of bottom paint. A great value for this is the Premium Outdrive Bottom Paint Kit. If there is already a bottom paint on your running gear, just scuff sand and paint! Another option is to try an aerosol spray bottom paint. These are easy to apply.

For outdrives a foul release agent may be the choice for you, see here.

Painting an Aluminum Outdrive

Outdrives are difficult to keep free of growth. The main reason for this is that traditional copper-based bottom paints cannot be used on an aluminum outdrive. Doing so will result in serious corrosion from the aluminum reacting to the copper in the paint.

Colorkote When painting an aluminum outdrive you must use a copper-free bottom paint. There are a couple of different brands out there: Interlux, Blue Water Marine, and Sea Hawk to name a few. However, you will get the best possible results with Tuff Stuff Primer and Colorkote.

The Outdrive Paint shows best results when paired with a primer such as Tuff Stuff. These products are usually applied by brush and roller.

An alternative to painting is a foul release system, such as PropGlide. For more information on Propglide, see this How To Article.

How to Apply Bottom Paint to an Aluminum Boat

Bottom paint is an essential part of protecting your aluminum boat from the elements. Be sure to choose a bottom paint that is specifically designed for aluminum boats. Some bottom paints can actually cause corrosion on aluminum, so it’s important to make sure you get the right type of paint. Apply the bottom paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In general, you’ll want to apply two coats for best results.

Here are a few tips on how to apply bottom paint to ensure optimal results.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR HOW TO PAINT AN ALUMINUM BOAT

Prepare the Surface
The first step in painting an aluminum boat is to prepare the surface. This includes cleaning the boat with soap and water, sanding it down, and applying a primer. The primer will help to create a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to.
Choose the Right Paint
It is important to choose the right paint for an aluminum boat. A good choice would be a marine-grade paint that is specifically designed for aluminum boats. This type of paint will be able to withstand the elements and will not peel or chip easily.
Apply the Paint
Once you have chosen the right paint, you can begin to apply it to the boat. It is best to use a brush or roller for this task. Start by painting the hull of the boat and then move on to the deck. Be sure to apply an even coat of paint and allow it to dry completely before applying a second coat.

Tuff Stuff Marine Epoxy Primer

Begin by pressure washing your boat, and scrubbing any debris, dust, contaminants and marks off the boat surface so it is totally clean. Give your boat a final rinse and dry. If you do not have any coatings at all on the bottom of the boat, we suggest to sand the hull with 80 grit and then apply Tuff Stuff High Build Epoxy. It is a water tight barrier coat designed for use under the waterline and with aluminum hulls. Use 2 coats. You can apply the 2nd coat within a couple of hours of the first coat. (up to 6 days)

After you apply Tuff Stuff marine epoxy primer on hull, be sure to use an aluminum safe bottom paint. The bottom paint needs to be applied the same day as the Tuff Stuff marine epoxy primer. Bottom paints in general are designed to repel hard growth. Colorkote is an excellent triple biocide bottom paint for aluminum hulls when in salt water. We recommend Mission Bay for fresh water. I have listed links below to the products described above. These can be brushed, sprayed, or rolled. If you already have coating(s) on the hull, pressure wash, sand with 80 grit, and then apply your paint choice.

Links:

How to Video: Aluminum Boat Bottom Paint Application

See here for all aluminum safe bottom paints.

How to Articles | Bottom Paint Store

Learn More About Boat Paint Applications and Marine Supplies