Bottom Paint on thrusters

[ltpasciuti]

I just took my ranger in for new bottom paint and they painted the thruster tunnels and props. I'm concerned it could affect the performance of the props.

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

I paint my thrusters on my R-29, including the props. In fact, I dip the props in bottom paint and spin them on a drill to remove excess paint. I do not see any real impact on performance and, I don't have to deal with pesky barnacles.

Pat,
Ladybug, Too

 

[nzfisher]

I believe it says somewhere in the Imtra manual that you should not paint the props. I paint the tunnels with circle cutouts to protect the props. I would image not painting the props has to do with balance of spinning parts but who knows. Probably Ladybug is on to something here. I put enough paint in the tunnels however that I have never had any barnacles in the prop housings. I do this every year.

 

[Brian B]

I paint the tunells and the props, avoid getting paint on the prop shaft. Before re-installing the prop put a bit of marine grease on the prop shaft, this makes it easier to get off next time. I was advised to maintain them this way by a Sidepower rep. I would think a prop full of barnacles would cause problems. Always make sure the zincs are in good condition.
To remove the props use a piece of wood about 1"X1" and long enough to reach the base of the prop hub from the opposite side, tap lightly around the hub and it will pop off.

 

[knotflying]

And always make sure power is off to the thrusters when working on them.

 

[doke01]

I've painted them for 9 years with no issue. Make sure they didn't paint over the zinc's.

 

[nzfisher]

I paint the tunells and the props, avoid getting paint on the prop shaft. Before re-installing the prop put a bit of marine grease on the prop shaft, this makes it easier to get off next time. I was advised to maintain them this way by a Sidepower rep. I would think a prop full of barnacles would cause problems. Always make sure the zincs are in good condition.
To remove the props use a piece of wood about 1"X1" and long enough to reach the base of the prop hub from the opposite side, tap lightly around the hub and it will pop off.

Did the prop "pop" off easily the first time you did this? If so, I would be willing to try it next time I pull the boat out just to make the assembly easier to get apart in the future. I just hope I will do no harm in doing so.

 

[Brian B]

I paint the tunells and the props, avoid getting paint on the prop shaft. Before re-installing the prop put a bit of marine grease on the prop shaft, this makes it easier to get off next time. I was advised to maintain them this way by a Sidepower rep. I would think a prop full of barnacles would cause problems. Always make sure the zincs are in good condition.
To remove the props use a piece of wood about 1"X1" and long enough to reach the base of the prop hub from the opposite side, tap lightly around the hub and it will pop off.

Did the prop "pop" off easily the first time you did this? If so, I would be willing to try it next time I pull the boat out just to make the assembly easier to get apart in the future. I just hope I will do no harm in doing so.

Tap the wood lightly with a hammer. First time it will probably need a little more encouragement. Just go easy as the prop is plastic.

 

[Boatagain]

Just before they launched Tug Dawg this spring after a fresh bottom paint job I noticed that some Einstein had slopped so much paint into the thruster tunnel that the prop was "welded" to the tunnel. :roll: The poor fellow then spent almost an hour carefully scraping the excess away with a knife. The thruster has worked flawlessly so far this season. Fingers crossed.

 

[captstu]

I believe the thrusters are aluminum. If so, copper bottom paint will trigger corrosion. Paint suitable for aluminum should cause no damage unless they over do it.

Einstein would be proud to be remembered - he was an avid sailor.