Caliber 28 Owners: Help!

[31seahorse]

Hello all SBO Members,

First, Thanks for the opportunity to learn from this forum and to share information with other sailboat owners. This is a valuable resource and an enjoyable stop on the internet. :dance:

Hello Caliber 28 owners,

My wife and I own, sail, and maintain a 1986 Caliber 28 on the upper Chesapeake Bay. The boat is propelled by a Martec folding prop that was on the boat when we bought her, and the prop has just been reconditioned by Martec last spring.

Question (1): What is the size of the original prop used on the Caliber 28 models that have the Yanmar 2GM20F engine?

I have purchased a Michigan prop size 14 X 16 that is too big in diameter to spin under the hull. It was a "special order" and can not be returned.

Question (2): What prop do you use on your Caliber 28? Is your engine the same model? What is the RPM/Cruising Speed you use most often?

Question (3): What is the length of the original prop shaft?

I think it is possible that a previous owner may have shortened the prop shaft because of the way the Martec prop mounts on the shaft as compared to the mounting of a two blade or three blade prop. Since the Caliber 28 does not have a shaft strut under the hull the Martec blades may have extended too far aft of the strut bearing that is within the hull, and it may have created too much vibration on the one inch shaft.

The boat will be hauled out for the season in October, so, sadly, pictures of the area are not available at this time.

Thanks, Phil

 

[Ken Cross]

I'd ask if a prop shop could cut it down. Sorry I don't have a Caliber 28. My San Juan 28/Yanmar SB12 came with a Martec 12DX12P-3
Ken

 

[31seahorse]

Thanks for your reply, Ken. I considered having the prop repitched/resized, but since the boat does not move well now under power (especially in reverse) I don't want to vary from the original specs (which I am hoping to find with this Forum thread).

 

[Tim R.]

Phil, you will get a more concentrated audince of Caliber 28 owners if you post over at the Yahoo Goups forum. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/caliberyachts/info

 

[31seahorse]

Hello Members,

Thanks for your interest..... whether it was just reading the post or answering with thoughts and suggestions.

Let me tell you how and by whom my questions were answered! About 5:45 this evening I received a phone call from Mr George McCreary of Caliber Yachts. He explained what the configuration of the Caliber 28 prop shaft, bearing, strut, and propeller would have looked like as the boat was manufactured. It seems that a PO (the nameless guys who are always causing boat owners problems) changed the shaft length and other things in order to install a folding prop for racing. Mr McCreary also sent me pictures of the underbody of two Caliber 28s of the same vintage as ours. He further spent the time to tell me the companies that had manufactured the various parts so I could contact them for replacements if I choose to do that.

A heart-felt "Thank You" to Mr McCreary and Kathy Macdonald of Caliber Yachts! Their efforts and responsiveness to questions were certainly "top shelf"! Allowing boat owners to speak to helpful people is a part of customer service that must remain a part of all businesses in the United States.

Respectfully, Phil