How to Clean Boat Props
Boat propellers (props) must be clean in order to work at peak efficiency. Modern propellers are made from stainless steel, bronze or a Nibral alloy (nickel, brass, aluminum). They are resistant to corrosion but collect growth in marine environments. Slime, mussels and grass can grow in fresh or brackish waters while barnacles can grow in saltwater areas. Any of these growing on the prop can unbalance it and interrupt the laminar flow over the blades. This leads to an increase in cavitation and wheel-walk, and can severely reduce the power that is converted into usable thrust.
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Things You'll Need
- Needlenose pliers
- Breaker bar
- Socket set
- Rubber hammer
- Chisel
- Wire brush
- Pressure washer (or carwash)
- Machine file
- Rotary sander
- 180-grit sandpaper
Instructions
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1
Remove the cotter pin from the propeller shaft with the needlenose pliers. Break the torque on the locknut with the breaker bar and a socket. Spin the locknut off by hand and remove the locknut, locknut washer and propeller from the shaft. Tap the propeller hub lightly with a rubber hammer if it is resistant to removal.
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2
Remove any mussels or barnacles with the chisel. Be careful to not gouge the propeller or allow the corners of the chisel dig in. Remove all traces of the barnacles from the prop.
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3
Remove any lingering pieces of barnacle base with the wire brush. Pressure-wash any slime or hair off.
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4
Inspect the wheel for nicks. File down any nicks or dings in the edges of the blades that can cause drag with the machine file.
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5
Sand the prop with the rotary sander and 180-grit paper. Change the paper frequently as it will clog up rapidly, especially on bronze and Nibral props. Sand all corrosion and pitting out of the prop until the whole prop has a uniform shiny finish.
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Tips & Warnings
Use caution when filing nicks and sanding out pit. Removing material from the blades will affect the balance of the prop. Extensively pitted or nicked props should be sent to a professional prop shop to be refinished and balanced. Using an unbalanced prop can cause thrust bearings, cutlass bearings and drive-train components to fail prematurely. The excessive vibration can also cause the stuffing box to leak, possibly leading to flooding and engine damage or loss of the vessel.
