Jammed Log Transducer

[gbendaly]

good day to all
my log transducer is the spinning thru-hull type .
can any one in this forum advise me on the way to keep
it clean and spinning?? I have tried antifouling it and oiling it to no avail..
I am sailing in warm waters where marine growth regularly jams this device thus preventing me to keep track of the speed and distance
please note that pulling it out for cleaning from the inside is not as simple as it seems since it is located under the fore berth behind the water tank
and diving under the boat in winter is not my cup of tea.
thank you

[Ex-Calif]

I have a similar problem since installing my log. It growths-up in one week and won't spin.

Fortunately it is under the galley and fairly accessible. I install it on Saturday and pull it out on Sunday.

I would also be interested to hear if anyone has a good idea.

[BubbleHeadMd]

It was recommended to me by a few people to coat it with petroleum jelly. I haven't yet tried it as my gauge needs replaced.

Supposedly the jelly sticks to the paddle for quite a while, and the slime doesn't like the petro in the jelly.

[gbendaly]

it is certainly worth a try

[capt_douglas]

I've got the same problem. About the only solution I found was to clean it before moving. It can be a pita for a daysail, but I've yet to find a long-term solution. The petroleum jelly may be a cheap, effective solution, though.

[sestina]

Sorry, the only thing that works is to withdraw it when you're not sailing.

[YOGAO]

sestina has it, sorry! Try using your GPS for speed & distance. Overall it's more accurate even though it does draw power and doesn't help you understand when you are fighting a current.

Fair Winds,
Mike

[svHyLyte]

We have a Standard Horizon Knotmeter/Log with a standard through-hull paddlewheel transducer. I have found that thoroughly cleaning the paddle wheel, shaft and housing; spraying them with several coats of SailKote and, once that's thoroughly dry, applying a coating of Neosporin Antibacterial Cream (of the type used to treat wounds) to the paddle wheel and wheel housing will prevent growth for several weeks at a time here on the southwest coast of Florida.




If one pulls the transducer about once a month to wipe down the paddle wheel and reapply the Neosporin, one rarely has any growth gumming up the works.

FWIW...

[gbendaly]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

We have a Standard Horizon Knotmeter/Log with a standard through-hull paddlewheel transducer. I have found that thoroughly cleaning the paddle wheel, shaft and housing; spraying them with several coats of SailKote and, once that's thoroughly dry, applying a coating of Neosporin Antibacterial Cream (of the type used to treat wounds) to the paddle wheel and wheel housing will prevent growth for several weeks at a time here on the southwest coast of Florida.




If one pulls the transducer about once a month to wipe down the paddle wheel and reapply the Neosporin, one rarely has any growth gumming up the works.

FWIW...

I will use a mimilar antibacterial cream as the neosporin one is not available in this part of the world, but what is the sailkote sparay ??

[svHyLyte]

See the following:

SailKote Dry Lubricant

[Gudgeon]

I have had some success using termaline EP2 or EP3. It is a non water soluable grease last mw about 3 months. Do not use to much or the paddle wheel will not rotate.