Having moved from trailer sailing a Parker 21 to the big boat world of a Parker 275 on a drying mooring, I am experiencing the joys of bottom cleaning. I've got the copperbot sorted out and I know that I need to give the bottom a good scrub every couple of months next season. But what should I do, if anything, about the propellor and skeg? I've seen adverts for new fancy engine antifouling but I've not had enough experience to know if there is a real problem to fix. That said, my prop could do with a good scrub. Any comments please?

Ken Surplice - Vol-au-vent P275/25

Me again! Alternatively, what paint is suitable for prop and skeg?

Cheers-Ken

Ken Surplice

Ken

Though you will be able to keep the bottom fairly clean with any of the many patent bottom scrubbers that SSA members have dreamed up, you will have problem cleaning the skeg unless you dry out. Having a copper bottom (as on your boat) the keel and skeg and around the inlet/outlets for the heads, are the only parts I antifoul.

For the prop, try propeller lanolyn. This seems to work OK.

Don PS - writing this message from the exec lounge in Chicago while waiting for a connecting flight.

Don Harvey

Just a reminder in case anyone is tempted to try it, get advice before use on outboard engines or any aluminium based parts. As I'm sure you know, its generally unwise to use copper based antifouling on aluminum components as this will result in their sacrificial erosion/corrosion.

phil longhurst