I have enjoyed your series on restoring the PBO project boat, particularly the part where you applied Propspeed antifouling on the saildrive. I own a classic and enjoy spending time keeping it in good working order too. As it takes a couple of months for PBO to arrive here in Australia this may seem a little late, but here is my take on protecting my propeller from growth.
When I bought my boat it was antifouled with a standard bottom paint; it was reasonably clean but the propeller was covered in slime. After a few seasons with limited success using a variety of bottom paints, and not willing to pay the high cost of Propspeed, I heard from a farming friend that lanolin was good in all weathers. He gave me a small tub – just ordinary unrefined grease directly from the sheep. It lasts forever and does not go off or harden in the container, although it does become fairly solid when cold.
I had nothing to lose so 10 years ago I gave it a try on my propeller; it has proven effective since. It is not pretty after a couple of years in the water but that does not seem to affect its performance.
I clean the prop thoroughly by rubbing with medium sandpaper or, if I am near a power point, the wire brush on my angle grinder; then slather the grease on. I rub it in well and am not delicate with it as in this case more seems to be better. Warming the prop and grease enough to soften it makes it easy to apply with a piece of cloth. I do not get carried away as too much heat on the prop will simply make the grease run off. On a warm Australian day, simply leaving the prop in the sun is enough to work it.
If any shell has attached itself it is easy to
