Outdrive question,antifouling protection for 24/7 saltwater use

[ciscokidd]

Okay I am on the tail end of a major labour of love to my 2000 Doral 250SE. I had the hull peeled to the bar laminate and redone via West One along w biaxial cloth and resin, it is now completed and better than the boat was from factory. I chose to do this over a simple temporary fix of some hull osmosis as I wanted it done right and will own the boat for a while.

I am now just left with the outdrive and a final cut and polish after the 3rd coat of Interprotect 2000e goes on followed by 3 coats of Anti fouling white csc, black csc followed by last coast of Interlux ACT w slime fighter. This should allow me to be good for 2 years.

The outdrive is original fresh water, the boat will be going into the salt 24/7 so I plan to lightly sand the outdrive down with 80 grit , then use PETTIT PAINTS 120 Brushing Thinner to clean up and apply 3 coats of Pettit Alumnaspray, a few spots on the outdrive will have to be spot primed first as there is bare metal due to age and use . I have seen conflicting reports of spray not working well but I believe it all comes down to prep. I already have 1 can of the Pettit Alumaspray and planned to order 2 more to complete the job. My other thought was to lightly sand w 80 grit, then prime with 1 coat Primocon and follow up with coat of Trilux 33.

Boat is in the pacific Northwest relatively cool waters. Looking for feedback from those who may have used the Pettit Alumaspray

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Outdrive question,antifouling protection for 24/7 saltwater use

good luck. the key to success is in the prep work and it sounds like you are on top of it. It's the best you can do. I, and others around here, have not had much success no matter how carefully we prep and follow directions. All you can do is try, and try not to think about the outrageous costs of the products.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Outdrive question,antifouling protection for 24/7 saltwater use

I use the Primocon and the Trilux 33 . . .

I find that the spray can versions work well for all the irregular shapes for the outdrive, bellows, etc.

BTW - Don't kill yourself trying to make the outdrive look good if you are going to keep the boat in the water . . . after a couple of weeks, it is going to look like crap regardless.

 

[shrew]

Re: Outdrive question,antifouling protection for 24/7 saltwater use

I boat in Long Island Sound in Ct. area. I keep the boat in the water in a slip all season. I've used both products and had much better luck with the Primocon and Trilux 33. I've used Primicon and TRilux 33 in both spray and brush. I've hd much better luck brushing rather than spraying. I agree, spraying is easier to get in tough spots, but I think you really need to apply many, many, many applications because spraying on applies a much thinner coat than brushing. Sparying does look much nicer, but it's under water....who cares how it looks?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Outdrive question,antifouling protection for 24/7 saltwater use

I agree with shrew. The spray is not very effective. Brush on two coats of an A-F paint suitable for aluminum. I have used Trilux. It gave me the best results.

 

[dan t.]

Re: Outdrive question,antifouling protection for 24/7 saltwater use

The only aluminum compatible antifouling available in Canada is Trilux II, all I do is scuff up the drive with a scothbrite pad and brush on a coat in the spring . It seem to keep everything off for about 3 months then a light yellow fuzz starts to grow if the boat sits for 2 weeks or more. Most washes off with a good high speed run. When I pull out in the fall it all comes off with a pressure washer.

 

[Impetuous]

Re: Outdrive question,antifouling protection for 24/7 saltwater use

All good comments and you sound like you know what you are doing. always ensure that what you use is aluminium compatable and that you follow directions on keeping non compatable antifoul used on the transom, away from the outdrive as specified. Also when coating the outdrive ensure you get good coat under the fins and at the back. This is where my marine services always go light with the spray gun because its harded to get to. Growth on the lower leg (in front of prop area) can cause cavitation fairly quickly on some boats

 

[ciscokidd]

Re: Outdrive question,antifouling protection for 24/7 saltwater use

Thanks for all the feedback, it is all appreciated. Well I'll have 5 cans now of the Pettit Alumaspray on hand Monday so i will just give it a shot and prep it well. I will go the brush route at end of the season next year, i expect the boat to be used every 2 weeks or less just to run it. I can see the brushing on working better but figure at $12 a can shipped i will give it a shot for simplicity. Prior i will spot prime a few sections with some Pettit primer i have to ensure proper aluminum coverage prior to the anti fouling. I figure 4-5 overall coats should give me sufficient coverage and a decent mill of thickness. I could care less how it looks, i bought the stuff on sale prior to being aware that brushing works better from most reports. Gotta say wholesalem*****.com has by far the best pricing i have found.

Last thing i need is a good gps w transducer, can anyone comment on my 2 choices. Garmin 740S or 546s w transducer which is on sale at 799 shipped???