Cummins Marine Diesel Repower Specialists › Forums › General Discussion › Prop speed, worth doing?
- This topic has 28 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 2 years ago by Mike Uliasz.
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March 1, 2019 at 12:30 pm #60205
Thinking of trying some new ACME props and wondering while I’m at it if I should put prop speed on the running gear. Has anyone had experience with this product?
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March 20, 2019 at 5:39 am #63478
Brian KatzParticipantCold Galvanize
My prop guy told me one time he uses galvanizing paint on his props.it is very high in zinc content and looks just like the petitt product when sprayed on.. saw it in Home Depot for about 5 bucks a can .wondering if anyone has tried it.Bill
I use cold galvanize spray. Basic rustoleum product available at most home centers.
I started using it 3 or 4 years ago. It seems to be the same as the zinc paints you would buy at West Marine without the price tag.
It creates an extra layer of protection and wears from the leading edge back. I personally have never had a barnacle grow on it.
I shoot the wheels and shafts. My struts, rudders, and tabs are bottom painted.
I boat in the NE where we don’t have the growth issues like down south so I can only speak from my experience.
1 user thanked author for this post.
March 19, 2019 at 7:50 am #63306
Rob SchepisForum ModeratorVessel Name: Tenacious
Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
Location: Long Island, NY
Country: USA
Bill, a guy I know in Rhode Island uses the Rustoleum zinc spray can you are referring to and results are favorable. His boat is no dock queen so I’m sure the usage helps keep the prop clean.
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March 18, 2019 at 10:49 am #63102
donald rothParticipantVessel Name: Paumalu
Engines: Cummins 6BT 180 hp
Location: where the fish are!
Country: United States
I think that depends largely on your local conditions.
Cool and brackish water slow growth on running gear and bottom, so if that’s your scenario, it may work for you.
I know from my own experiences that zinc coating is only minimally effective in warm, salty conditions.
Propspeed works, but must be applied EXACTLY as specified, or it will wear off just as fast as any other paint. So unless you do it yourself or have a painter that will guarantee his application, you could be wasting a lot of money on it.
On a slow boat, lanolin or silicone wax applied annually works pretty well, but may require an occasional scraping.1 user thanked author for this post.
March 16, 2019 at 4:18 pm #62883
William WalterParticipantVessel Name: Positive rate
Engines: Cummings 480ce
Location: Long island
Country: Usa
Prop paint
My prop guy told me one time he uses galvanizing paint on his props.it is very high in zinc content and looks just like the petitt product when sprayed on.. saw it in Home Depot for about 5 bucks a can .wondering if anyone has tried it.Bill
March 9, 2019 at 5:22 am #61603
pwrobertParticipantMy vote is yes
I have tried several different metal bonding or priming products followed by e2000 then different antifouling painrs such as Trinidad SR. The results have always mixed and resulted in needing to pull the boat after 6-8 months for running gear touch up. Here in south Florida marine growth is heavy and fast. Any loss of paint on the metal is quickly attacked by barnacles. Boat performance degrades quickly. Even small areas of pop off cause speed loss.
About 3-4 years ago I switched to Prop Speed and find it stays in place the entire year with no pop off. And it stays clean. I have tried a competitors brand supposed to be “same as” but it was covered with many small barnacles after a few months.
My routine is to now paint props, shafts, struts, rudders, and underside of trim tabs with prop speed.
Expensive but pays for itself in fuel savings and avoiding the extra mid season haul out.2 users thanked author for this post.
March 6, 2019 at 12:44 pm #61151
johnParticipantI don’t think you will see any noticeable performance gains. I think where prop speed is good is for those guys that let there boats sit for a couple months. If you use your boat it wears off. To me you should have your boat on a regular diving schedule and that should keep things fairly clean. Expense vs gain I really don’t think it pans out. Your diver will love you though.
March 1, 2019 at 7:41 pm #60332Tony, you’re absolutely right.
The problem is if I do as you suggest it’s too late to then decide if it makes sense to do it or not :-). That is why I’m asking if anyone has experience with this. I don’t want to bother with the expense of it if it’s not a proven performer. I’ll just put on new props and press on. Which I’m leaning towards right now.
I’ve read various threads on other sites about prop speed, some say it’s great. Others say it comes off too quickly, they were not impressed and not to bother with it unless you put lots of hours on the boat. Proper prep and application seems to be the key. I was hoping someone here had done as you suggested and could provide us with their performance results.
March 1, 2019 at 7:08 pm #60322
Tony AthensModeratorVessel Name: Local Banks
Engines: QSB 6.7 550 HP
Location: Oxnard, CA
Country: USA
I have talked with many guys that have used “prop speed” and in 100% of every case, they put is on just after a full hull cleaning, running gear cleanings & props & shafts sanded “shiny”, and bottom job.. You tell me what they said ?
If you want an accurate assessment, then you need to do all of the above with ZERO prop speed.. Take the vessel out and do a full review of RPM’s vs, vessel speeds…………………..Then pull the boat and put on prop speed and do the full review again…… Be sure the fuel and other liquids and gear on the boat does not change between the tests..
Tony
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