Early Christmas

[Ed Schenck]

"I just had to share the news of my early Christmas present. It came in the form of a phone call this morning while I was painting at the old house. It was Dave calling from "Lock 35" in Lockport, NY. Yep, they drained the locks for winter maintenance and found the prop in lock #35!! So now everyone gets a bigger and/or better Christmas present. Well not everyone. And I have a nice fixed 3-blade standard 14x14 prop for sale."The above is from an e-mail that I sent to my local friends and family. I see that the original post has rolled off. But in that post I was writing about my trip through the Erie Canal and down the Hudson and ICW to North Carolina. On that trip I lost my new and very expensive 3-blade folding prop. I was told that they would probably find it if it came off in lock 35. But lock 34 is entered from 35 and does not drain completely for winter work. So it was doubtful they would find it in 24. A little luck helps. I hope everyone gets as nice a present this Christmas. And is happy and healthy this holiday season.

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

Living Right!

Hey Ed,You must be living right! Congrats on getting your prop back. Hope the rest of your holiday season is as good.Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust h37.5

 

[Jim Legere]

Yep, we're lucky...

Glad to hear you got the prop back, Ed. I too had an early Christmas present when I got my boat back, off the beach, after she was blown ashore during the tail end of hurricane Noel (appropriately named if you are into the French flavour of Christmas). No damage other than to my pride. With Thanksgiving past and the festive season aproaching, its good to take stock of how lucky we all are. Of course, there are some out there who may even be lucky enough to go for a Christmas sail ... but I won't think about that as I hauled out a week ago :~( All the best to Ladylove & her crew in the New Year.JimSV CALYPSO

 

[John Brecher]

I kept my old fixed blade

Since it was removed as a working entity I have hung on to it as a spare, cause you know you can lose a prop! (Also although usable it is not in very good condition)Seriously, I am pleased on your behalf. If there are any clues as to how it was lost please share - I also have a Flex-O-Fold.John Brecher

 

[Ed Schenck]

Why/how prop was lost.

As you know John, there is no cotter key to prevent the prop nut from turning. Because the nut is recessed inside the hub the design uses lock screws, one from each side. This works well so long as the key in the keyway keeps the prop secure on the shaft. As I explained in the rolled off post, I had to dive on the boat in the Niagra river to remove weeds, lots of quick starts / stops / reverses that put a lot of strain on the key maybe. Then the same thing in the locks trying to get to the wall and stop the boat. The Flex-O-Fold owner wrote that if the taper of the prop and shaft are properly matched and the nut is torqued to recommended foot-pounds that a key should not shear. Then my question is "why to some shaft builders recommend bronze keys instead of stainless keys?" The answer I get is so that it will shear and prevent damage to the coupler, the shaft, the transmission, maybe even the shaft strut. So there is the conundrum in a nut shell.I see in looking for the "rolled off" post that I owe you guys. Many kind remarks and personal information has been shared. I have been negligent in my responses but have a weak excuse. I have moved to a condo so as to be able to sail more. But meanwhile the house is not selling and I am doing a lot of wallpaper stripping and painting. Also carpeting and lots of lawn work, tons of leaves. I will catch up here when the snow flies which is very soon.

 

[Brian M H23]

Just curious

Is there any opportunity to use 2 thin nuts and lock them together, rather than one large one?

 

[Sanders]

Good luck must come from clean living

Ed,We are all happy for you.Now we'll wish for a quick house sale, an early Spring, and fair winds blowing southward.Sanderss/v Good News