Some Considerations in Energy Conservation of Fishing Boats : Effect of Propeller Coating

Laboratory and field experiments have shown that self-polishing propeller paint provides excellent adhesive and polishing performance. The rise in roughness on the propeller surface can be largely reduced by this type of paint so that the propeller can maintain its original efficiency. It has been generally assumed that if the propeller is coated with paint, roughness of its surface is increased and the propeller efficiency may be somewhat reduced, but it was shown in this study that this effect is negligible. No galvanic interaction between the propeller and the SP-type paint was observed and the paint had a sufficient anti-fouling effect to protect the propeller from the deposition of marine organisms on its surfuce. It is concluded that the use of SP-type propeller paint together with SP-type bottom paint can reduce fuel consumption and the number of dry-dockings.