Hi all. Well I'm currently in Breakwater Marina in Townsville. This morning I noticed a diver under the boat berthed beside me so I asked him to have a look at my hull when he had finished.
My hull was antifouled in September 2014 with Jotun Seaguard and I had Propspeed applied for the first time while it was out of the water.
This morning the diver told me that my hull looked pretty good although it neeeded a clean to get rid of the slime, which he did while he was down there. He also told me that any Propspeed that was applied when it was out of the water last was welll gone.
This didn't surprise me as we have sailed/motored tremedous distances in the last 18 months but it does raise the question, why use an antifoul that will last 18 months to 3 years if your prop protection only last 12 months.
The diver told me that he has yet to see a boat where Propspeed has really paid for itself.
I'm quite happy to put it on again as I believe that any protection is better than no protection but in the interim I have a prop that is sussetbable to growth.
So my question, what are the experiences of other Propspeed users.
PS. Not the experiences of a mate who had a mate, just genuine users.
I've never used propspeed before but have being considering it
I have used antifould both hard and soft and it just doesn't sitck very well even with appropriate primer it seems to throw off quickly
I currently have nothing on my prop and it seems to work well (as good as antifoul) I can go about 2 months or more with no major shelling and any soft slim/growth just falls off when the prop spins. i use the boat at least once a week witch probably helps
We have a large bronze prop on my dads 40ft ex-cray boat and we use lanotec spray.
Use a heat gun to heat the prop (a small area at a time) and then spray on the lanotec.
Our boat only sits in the salt for 6 months a year and before doing this we were getting barnacles on the prop and now we don't get any!!!
I had propspeed applied to my 2 blade aliminium prop at gold coast marina
I removed the boat 14 months later in Darwin to check the hull which was clean as was the prop.
I slipped in Perth 7 months later and the hull was thick with growth but the prop was spotless.
Fantastic product in my opinion
Prop speed on a stainless steel prop after 12 months. I cleaned the prop when this photo was taken and it lasted 6 months more before prop became fouled and I had to clean it again. Prop had very little use in that 6 months, only about a dozen short trips (200m) on the motor in and out of the marina.
I have just bought some Velox Plus to try.
I have just had Propspeed applied to my 2 blade folding prop. The guys who did the work asked specifically how much i used the boat, and more importantly, how much i ran the motor. As we race most Fridays, and motor to and from the race area (10 mins each way), they said that would be sufficient. Any more than a couple of weeks without using the motor was going to be a waste of money. I have also recently started to get a diver to give the hull and prop a clean once a month.
MB has a two blade Gori folding prop. I use Propspeed and if I run it every couple of weeks it is fantastic. Lasts about 2 years.
If it sits idle for more than a few weeks a wipe with a chux and it is good again.
I get it done each anti foul, about $130.
Haven't had my boat for quite a year, so far only algae grows on the hull and I get barnacles on the prop so I assume the antifoul is good. Every now and then I jump in the water, scrub off the algae and chip the barnacles off the prop. Most of the time they are small and come off by hand otherwise I gently prise them off with a knife. Seems a quick and simple solution at least in a warm climate. Am I missing something? I wouldn't want to send the propspeed people or divers broke.
The difference between propspeed and hard antifoul is well represented on my boat as the folding prop has been propspeeded while the shaft has been done with non ablative antifoul, International Ultra.
While the prop had some small growt on it, which flung off when the engine was in use, the shaft had considerably more growth which was more solidly attached to the shaft and so, harder to remove. The prop was not used regularly as recommended (weekly) as l sail in and out of my mooring if l can, despite, l am happy with propspeed's performance.
What l question, is the price. I think we are taken for a ride!
The price of it, by Clontarf Marina, was $150 which is a bit more than quoted by others around $130, but much less than what Gladesville Marina quoted, $230.
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
What l question, is the price. I think we are taken for a ride!
The price of it, by Clontarf Marina, was $150 which is a bit more than quoted by others around $130, but much less than what Gladesville Marina quoted, $230.
The stuff is worth 50 cents, but it will never be a volume seller so the stealers and dealers charge what they think the market will bear, just like petrol stations and supermarkets, and everybody knows that anything associated with boats must be more expensive as all yachties are milliionaires.
I had my boat out last in May 2015. I sanded and re-applied antifoul. This was at The Boat Works, Gold Coast. One of the anitofoul experts there applied Propspeed for me and just charged for the amount he used and the time. Its cost $70 all up. I cruised up to the Whitsundays and back to Brisbane and left the boat in October. I'd cleaned the hull and prop a few times during this time, just slime mainly.
I'll be interested to see how she all looks in May when I arrive back to my boat.
Had very variable results with propspeed, some excellent, some hopeless. Have a look at Velox if your boat sits at anchor for a time.
I've just painted my prop with Sharpie permanent marker pen this haulout.
I had prospered applied at boat works by a guy who only charged $120
I use my boat at least once a week except for 13 days over Christmas.
Peop was covered in shell after 7 months
Moral of the story: you get what you pay for
I wouldn't use it again
I used propspeed once and it worked a treat. I make my own brew now after annalising the ingreidients and the application method is absolutely vital to getting it to stay on the prop and work effectively.
The silicon must be flexible to throw any growth off when the prop is engaged.
The essential requirement for prop speed is correct application. Prop speed that was applied by the previous owner just prior to me purchasing it was in perfect condition some 20 months after, unfortunately the new application put on by a different boat yard lasted only 6 months before growth was evident requiring me to clean off every month. Prop speed here can only be put on by the appointed agent costing me about $220 for a substandard job.
To enable me to do the application myself I am looking at using Goldspeed ( a similar product which you can apply yourself and thus have control over the process) which is still very expensive. Ambler are you able to disclose your "home brew"?
I had it applied to my bow thruster and prop at launch last July. I recently inspected both and found they were very different stories.
The bow thruster was slightly crusty, but cleaned up really easily with a rub of my bare hand. I could feel the silicon slippery Propspeed on the thruster body and blades. On the other hand, the prop was very crusty and had quite a few barnacles and needed a stiff plastic scraper to clean up. The barnacles needed a screw drive to shift. There was NO slippery silicon feel on the prop.
After cleaning, the prop was still felt rough, as opposed the bow thruster that felt like new. The bow thruster is not far under the waterline, so you'd think it would be worse, but the opposite was the case. The bow thruster is only used occasionally during berthing. The main drive prop spins twice a month on average for an hour or so each time heading out and in to the marina.
The bow thruster is in a tunnel, out of the daily ebb and flow, so you'd think that would make it more susceptible to crusty growth.
I have no idea why one was successful and then other not.
The prop was prepped with a 4" grinder and 120 grit as I was instructed. I was told to rough it up real good. The bow thruster, being smaller, was roughed up with 80 or 120 by hand, so probably was not as course. Maybe that played a part???
I have heard that once the tin is open it must be all used, thus getting a tin that was opened last week means a poor application.
Maybe Ambler can confirm this?
I've had it applied twice, both were failures 
Has anybody tried Cabots CFP on their propeller??
Rumour has it that it is as good as propspeed.
I wont mention any brand names.
I was originally given the PS by a friend who was applying it to a big power boat and had enough left over. I followed the instructions supplied (instructions and MSDS are online) to the letter and it was good for 18 months and most likely more.
Step 1 I found a company that makes a two pack etch primer.
2 I experimented with a few types and brands of silicone caulking tubes (mould resistant). Mixed with xylene (bunnings) (try 50/50) so it becomes paintable. Once mixed apply it fast as the xylene evaporates quickly. I experimented lots before application day. Wear a carbon filter mask when you use ANY paints for boats! 3M is good
Yes the original PS final application product would likely not last long once opened but may contain other inhibitors allowing more time than with my brew.
I have yet to find an easier way (scraping and sanding) to remove it prior to applying it again each haul out. PS has another product for that.
It was all a lot of time and effort to get it right so I would say that PS wont be going out of business anytime soon.
Trusting an approved applicator to do it correctly (without getting distracted) would be like finding a tradie who doesn't use a mobile phone.
I was using some Sikaflex 293 yesterday on a non boating project. I smeared the job with a finger and failed to clean some off after in my haste and it dried. Later while trying to scrape/wash it off it occurred to me that a couple of coats painted thin on a propeller might work. It's not silicon but has the same feel. I have tried the stove black which was supposed to work well but the new "safe" recipe has the vital ingredient removed to save the environment. There will be a cheap and easily available product at Bunnings we just have to find it. Keep up the good work Ambler.
Select to expand quotecisco said...
Has anybody tried Cabots CFP on their propeller??
Rumour has it that it is as good as propspeed.
This Cabots CFP reference featured on this forum a couple of years ago. Not the same final effect but perhaps a PM to the member who used it back then to see how it went over time.
BTW, Google is everyones friend. The etch primer wasn't found at bunnings. It is the vital ingredient to turn bronze into a blanket that the **** will stick to.
Sika 291might work, didnt try it.
Boat paints recommends using a 2 pack etch primer before applying Velox if you have already used a propeller paint on the prop in the past, even if you have cleaned back to a shiny surface.
I think that the prop paint failures are from inadequate prep for the initial coat and the recoat, not the product itself. I'm really only going to use Velox plus this time round so I can apply it myself.
Cabots CFP was reported as being an utter and total failure.
theace
Posted 16/11/2015, 5:36 am 
Ahah! Finally got to dive on my prop last week (the one coated with cfp, ) It was badly coated with barnacles after 7 months,I dont know if it would last longer if I dived every 5-6 weeks and cleaned it but that was not the idea of the exercise. I dont think I will use this system again. Maybe ill do a test piece that is slightly illegal, and see how that goes. catch you later . 
Original discussion here ....
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Propspeed-info/?SearchTerms=Cabots,CFP
Cabots CFP The only way I see that working would be at least two coats the first CFP only then a mix of some sort of anti foul or barnacle repellent
So could you mix lanolin and CFP Loose Change ?
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..
So could you mix lanolin and CFP Loose Change ?
I wouldn't, as one is an organic grease and the other is a polyurethane compound.
I've used Lanolin and it was about as effective as a bare polished prop. Heated the prop and soaked it in etc. Boat was running long hours daily but still not effective.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
I've used Lanolin and it was about as effective as a bare polished prop. Heated the prop and soaked it in etc. Boat was running long hours daily but still not effective.
keep looking Maybe just leave the prop in the cupboard might work 
I put the shaft key some where so I wouldn't loose it 
bloody old age.
The bonus is when your looking for some thing else it will pop up
One of our local yachts just went back in last week and he used a HARD antifouling on the prop.
I'll keep all informed on how it goes.
Travlinon mentioned a product called Goldspeed.....is this available to anybody?.
Has anybody used it?. If it's OK, where can I get some in Sydney.
I Googled it but got no info at all.
Sorry Samsturdy the name of the product is actually Propgold - senior moment??
The web address Is
www.greencorpmarine.com.
havent tried it yet and haven't come across anyone who has but it appears identical to propspeed with the advantage you can apply yourself. Cost work out about the same but would work out a lot cheaper if you could do a few boats at the same time.
