Hi All!
Recently purchased a C-30 and will be bringing her from Lake Ontario to Lake Champlain via the Oswego > Erie > Hudson > Champlain canal systems soon... She is a '77 model with an Atomic4 engine. A beautifully cared for boat... super excited.
In our planning, I have been thinking that I may swap the 2 blade prop for a 3 blade before we begin the journey. My thoughts are:
1. This will be a long trek of about 10-12 days in canals and rivers and lakes, so perhaps an optimal cruising speed can be gained?
2. The 3 blade will pair well with the Atomic4 30hp - which seems to have more power than the 2 blade can apply according to the previous owner.
3. This is my 1st sailboat and I'll be navigating 30+ locks - thinking the 3 blade will give me more control when tight navigation is needed... especially in the rivers with more currents.
Anyone have experience with a similar config? Agree / disagree with my thinking? Any preference on props? This is a lake boat, and will likely remain a lake boat, is bronze still the preference?
There's a 3 blade on on the Cat Direct site... but only 1 option and I'm not sure about Pitch / Shaft diameter yet.
www.catalinadirect.com
Lastly, I do understand that the prop will slow sailing speeds, but as this is my 1st boat, I'm not too concerned with squeezing out top speeds in the near term... would prefer better response to keep me out of trouble while I get comfortable.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Recently purchased a C-30 and will be bringing her from Lake Ontario to Lake Champlain via the Oswego > Erie > Hudson > Champlain canal systems soon... She is a '77 model with an Atomic4 engine. A beautifully cared for boat... super excited.
In our planning, I have been thinking that I may swap the 2 blade prop for a 3 blade before we begin the journey. My thoughts are:
1. This will be a long trek of about 10-12 days in canals and rivers and lakes, so perhaps an optimal cruising speed can be gained?
2. The 3 blade will pair well with the Atomic4 30hp - which seems to have more power than the 2 blade can apply according to the previous owner.
3. This is my 1st sailboat and I'll be navigating 30+ locks - thinking the 3 blade will give me more control when tight navigation is needed... especially in the rivers with more currents.
Anyone have experience with a similar config? Agree / disagree with my thinking? Any preference on props? This is a lake boat, and will likely remain a lake boat, is bronze still the preference?
There's a 3 blade on on the Cat Direct site... but only 1 option and I'm not sure about Pitch / Shaft diameter yet.
Prop, 3 Blade, 13 X 12, RHC-270, C-28, C-30, C-320
Catalina Direct, publishers of the Catalina 22 and Catalina 25 Owner's Handbooks and the largest supplier of parts and Lewmar winches for Catalina Yachts in the country

Lastly, I do understand that the prop will slow sailing speeds, but as this is my 1st boat, I'm not too concerned with squeezing out top speeds in the near term... would prefer better response to keep me out of trouble while I get comfortable.
Thanks for your thoughts!
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