Annual Servicing
An annual service has the added benefit of allowing an out-of-the-water inspection of the hull and running gear to ensure that all is well and safe, especially for stern drive vessels. Checks include antifoul and hull condition, anode wear, inspection of the propeller/s for cracks or damage, fastenings are secure, check skin fittings for obstructions and clean where necessary, i.e. shell fish hindering waterflow, check cutless bearings for wear and play, rudder movement and condition. If a problem is detected earlier rather than later, many thousands of dollars in repair costs can be saved.
Water blasting
On site is a 3500-psi water blaster for general use. It removes organic and sludge material from hulls to help prepare the application of anti foul, or general clean. In addition, onsite are mobile 40,000 and a 6000 psi water blaster for those tougher applications. Some paint specifications require this higher pressure cleaning as part of the preparation process.
Sand Blasting
Havelock Slipway have a mobile commerical sandblaster. Abrasive blasting is the ideal solution to remove rust, scale and corrosion from metal surfaces. A water injection attachment is fitted for different applications. For antifoul removel a solution is used to gently remove the antifoul to primers or bare hull. This technique is cost effective compared to the time spent scraping a complete hull bare.
Electrolysis and Anodes
Most boat owners are aware of the damage electrolysis can do to the metallic parts of their vessel in constant contact with the water, and how bonding of these metallic parts can prevent damage if linked to a regularly replaced sacrificial zinc anode.
Havelock Slipway stocks popular sizes of Anodes. Any anode that is eroded by half or more it is recommend that they be replaced.
Prop and Shaft
The propeller and shaft are an important parts of your vessels drive system and require to be in top condition to offer trouble free boating and fuel efficiently. Bent propeller blades will cause a vibration that stresses the drive system, bearings etc and can eventually cause failure. Here at Havelock Slipway we inspect the propeller and shaft for any damage or excessive wear to your cutless bearings. Any shaft anodes can be checked for wear and correct positioning on the drive shafts, this being as far forward as possible, or near to the cutless bearing. Any propellers with defects can be in most cases be repaired and rebalanced. New propellers should be "lapped to the shaft" using valve grinding paste to ensure the correct fit, the minimum being 75%. Shafts can also be bent through debris contact and these can be checked for alignment.
Prop Speed
Depending on the moored location and use, trim tabs, shafts and propellers can be prone to organic organisms and seaweeds attaching themselves to these surfaces. Here at Havelock Slipway if we encounter a vessel that has excessive attachments we recommend "Prop Speed", a silicone based covering that will keep your drive units free of weed growth and minimise drag from your propellar and shaft. Prop Speed is an environmentally safe product and does not contain copper, tin or any other toxic substances which may cause environmental pollution. Prop~Speed works because it is slick, and is not toxic. Once applied it is very robust and not easy to remove. We have witnessed props that have had a history of annual marine growth complety clean after application of "Prop Speed" and after year in the water. Havelock Slipway is an approved applicator of Prop Speed and keep product in stock.
Propspeed is not recommended nor approved for use in aquaculture or contact with food products.