PropSpeed Wins Support

BoatingNews, Jan 2006

On first glance, Tom Nielsen of Nielsen Beaumont Marine in San Diego is a man of integrity. In his case, according to those who know him well, initial impressions are accurate.

So, when Nielsen stood up to compliment a new environmentally-friendly application for boat propellers and shafts at the Port Tenants’ meeting in December, it was an unusual event and the item, PropSpeed became a product to investigate.

In January, BoatingNews scheduled an appointment with Nielsen to discuss his experience with PropSpeed.

During the interview, Nielsen explained he had heard about PropSpeed at a boat show in 2004 and decided to try it out on his own boat, Hatts Off.

Using a two-step application process, Nielsen applied the first coating to his cleaned propellers and drive shaft and the second coating within three minutes. Then he waited.

After nine months, he pulled Hatts Off out of the water and checked his propellers and shaft. "I was using an old application method at the time but, after all those months, it was still perfect," he said. Nothing sticks to it."

With this success on his personal vessel, Nielsen felt comfortable with the product. "I started using it on customers’ boats and found out they were having the same results." He said.

Nielsen discovered PropSpeed lived up to its reputation in other ways, too. The product brochure promised higher top-end speeds and increased fuel efficiency, and Nielsen found it was increasing this efficiency by three percent.

"Even if it offered no increase in efficiency, I would still use the product on customers' boats because it has no copper or tin and is environmentally sound," he said.

Nielsen did comment on the need to keep harsh cleaning materials away from it.

"A soft glove or cloth is all that’s needed to wipe off any accumulation on the metal," he said. "In fact, we don’t even do that. The main thing we suggest is to keep divers away from it."

Nielsen said an application of PropSpeed starts at $100 a propeller and goes up by size. It also can be used on screens, rudders, tabs and trim.

Other boatyards in Southern California are also turning to PropSpeed. Driscoll’s Boat Works and Shelter Island Boat Yard (SIBY) in San Diego and Knight & Carver in National City are also using it.

Neil Wilson from Driscoll’s said they have had tremendous success with PropSpeed. "I have it on my Catalina 36 and it works beautifully." He said. "It’s unique stuff," Wilson said. "Everyone has positive results with this product. You gotta love it."

Wilson also said they had been using the old application method and were only getting 12 to 14 months before it rubbed off from normal friction with the water but everyone was getting increased speed and fuel efficiency.

When asked about maintenance, Wilson agreed with Nielsen. "We have our divers look at the propellers and shafts but only allow them to clean them with soft materials. In keeping with Driscoll’s Rodeo Drive reputation, Wilson keeps a selection of Berber carpet at the yard for cleaning metal surfaces coated with PropSpeed.

Bill Roberts from SIBY. Roberts concurred with Nielson and Wilson concerning the efficiency of PropSpeed and even went further when it came to care and maintenance. "We only use it on boats where the owner assures us he will use the divers we recommend," Roberts said.

At Knight & Carver, George Vehanen, project manager gave his call on PropSpeed. "Skippers are really jazzed about it," he said. "It seems to be really good." What surprises Vehanen most is boats in transit are asking for it when they come in.

"I heard about it being the best thing since sliced bread and thought, ‘yeah right,’" Vehanen revealed. "But when customers begin asking for it, it means it must really be soething."

Vehanen said the president of PropSpeed, Dan Delmonico, had recently held a workshop at Knight & Carver on the best way to apply the coating. It’s quite the ticket," Vehanen said. "And I think we’re getting the hang of

For more information on PropSpeed, call (877) 987-7333 or visit their website at www.propspeedusa.com.