I will be looking for a 15 inch 3 blade Feathering Prop at the Toronto Boat Show In January. Any experience with Jprop, variprop, Martec etc. would be most usefull. JROP appears to be almost identical to variprop but much cheaper ?
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Tom S.
I really like my Autoprop --
Plus it automatically adjusts pitch to the conditions and engine speed. Much better for motorsailing and keeps the engine at maximum efficiency for conditions... downside is its not the absolute best for drag....but still leaps and bounds better than fixed props
Plus it automatically adjusts pitch to the conditions and engine speed. Much better for motorsailing and keeps the engine at maximum efficiency for conditions... downside is its not the absolute best for drag....but still leaps and bounds better than fixed props
M
Mark
I'm with Tom
I have an AutoProp on my C36 and love it. Tom, my dealer did show me a trick. When sailing leave the transmission in gear. This locks the propeller shaft and allows the blades to feather better. My dealer says this will give you almost a half of knot. I'm not sure I'd agree to a half of a knot but there is a noticable difference. I just thought I'd throw this in just in case you weren't aware. Jim, did you check the archives? There's tons of material available - enough reading to keep you busy for hours. For my money though - it's the AutoProp. Regards, M
I have an AutoProp on my C36 and love it. Tom, my dealer did show me a trick. When sailing leave the transmission in gear. This locks the propeller shaft and allows the blades to feather better. My dealer says this will give you almost a half of knot. I'm not sure I'd agree to a half of a knot but there is a noticable difference. I just thought I'd throw this in just in case you weren't aware. Jim, did you check the archives? There's tons of material available - enough reading to keep you busy for hours. For my money though - it's the AutoProp. Regards, M
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Tom S.
Mark, yes I knew to put the tranny in gear
And not leave it in neutral. Did you also know that you are supposed to leave it in forward for the Autoprop. I know, I know...its counter intuitive to what you'd do for a regular prop, but due to the orientation of the autoprop blades, when they are feathering and if you had it in reverse it could start to turn your shaft. This has been confirmed by both AutoProp and Westerbeke.
And not leave it in neutral. Did you also know that you are supposed to leave it in forward for the Autoprop. I know, I know...its counter intuitive to what you'd do for a regular prop, but due to the orientation of the autoprop blades, when they are feathering and if you had it in reverse it could start to turn your shaft. This has been confirmed by both AutoProp and Westerbeke.
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David
Reverse gear may be preferred
I'd suggest putting the tranny in reverse, not just leaving it in forward. On our '85 Universal, if the boat is sailing and left in forward, the propeller can still spin the prop forward, grinding the plates in the tranny. Putting it in reverse locks the prop against forward spin, so it can't damage the tranny. The reason is that when the gears are in forward, the plates are designed to keep the prop moving at least as fast forward as the engine, but there's nothing but the plate friction to keep the prop from spinning ahead of the engine, wearing the plates away and leading to tranny slip.
I'd suggest putting the tranny in reverse, not just leaving it in forward. On our '85 Universal, if the boat is sailing and left in forward, the propeller can still spin the prop forward, grinding the plates in the tranny. Putting it in reverse locks the prop against forward spin, so it can't damage the tranny. The reason is that when the gears are in forward, the plates are designed to keep the prop moving at least as fast forward as the engine, but there's nothing but the plate friction to keep the prop from spinning ahead of the engine, wearing the plates away and leading to tranny slip.
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JimAdams
Jprop versus Variprop
Thanks for the advice guys but can anybody compare Variprop versus Jprop. They look the very similar but a big price difference.
Thanks for the advice guys but can anybody compare Variprop versus Jprop. They look the very similar but a big price difference.
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Chuck Wayne
tranny in forward/reverse
David, that's true for fixed props and maybe for some feathering, but autoprop specifically tells you to put the tranny in forward to feather the prop-and I've checked, the shaft certainly isn't turning under sail
David, that's true for fixed props and maybe for some feathering, but autoprop specifically tells you to put the tranny in forward to feather the prop-and I've checked, the shaft certainly isn't turning under sail
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Tom S.
David, correct for everything but an Autprop
thats because they will freewheel when the tranny's in reverse when they feather...they are a very different breed of prop.
thats because they will freewheel when the tranny's in reverse when they feather...they are a very different breed of prop.
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JPF
I have and can stronly recommend a Max Prop.
Feathers easily, doesn't rotate under sail, excellent power in both forward & reverse. Was the best upgrade dollar I've spent.
Feathers easily, doesn't rotate under sail, excellent power in both forward & reverse. Was the best upgrade dollar I've spent.
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Alan
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