I bought a Hunter 36e three years ago new with a Variprop.
I was not happy with the vibration of the prop while motoring but the local engine mechanic (Stem to Stern in Vancouver) told me that this is how it is and not to worry about it.
Have to give credit to the local dealer, Specialty Yachts for noticing that I am less than satisfied when filling the Hunter customer survey and Lawrence from Specialty Yachts came out with me on the boat and agreed that the vibration was excessive.
The propeller was then taken off the boat, sent back to factory for checks. I was under the initial impression that it was sent back to the factory in Germany but later was told that it may have gone to the US dealer, the only certified Variprop service centre in North America.
I was told that it needed adjustment and servicing which was done.
I finally had the Variprop back last fall and now mounted back on the boat a month and a half ago.
It is indeed a joy to be able to sail again without the drag of a fixed blade propeller but the vibration is still excessive to me while motoring.
The prop works well until about 2500 rpm and then it starts to have a "thump thump" like beat frequency type of vibration and the helm starts wanting to veer to port. At 3000 rpm and above, the thump thump frequency has increased to a blend of buzz and the shaking is, in my estimation, too stressful for the drive train.
The helm also needs to be held to stay straight ahead at this point or else it will veer to port.
This is all a bit better than before sending the prop for service and adjustment but in my mind still too much vibration for the drive train.
The engine runs smooth on idle all the way to 3600 rpm so the vibration is all from the shaft on to the propeller.
The strut holding the propeller is new as I hit a log last season and had to replace the strut and had the propeller shaft checked.
I was using the factory 2 blade fixed prop while the Variprop was off for servicing and while there are other types of vibration, it was not the thump thump like vibration as with the Variprop.
It is difficult to quantify what is "excessive vibration" when motoring but I had a 2004 Hunter33 before this with a fixed 3 blade prop connected to a similar horsepower Yanmar engine and the vibration was much less. I also never had to touch the helm while motoring.
I am suspicious that there is still something wrong with the propeller. If the thump thump vibration and helm veering off are both improved by the adjustment but not eliminated, seems to me that there is a balance or uneven issue with the propeller that was reduced but not eliminated.
Any suggestions out there on similar experiences with Variprop and how you may have handled the issue?
Thanks.
I was not happy with the vibration of the prop while motoring but the local engine mechanic (Stem to Stern in Vancouver) told me that this is how it is and not to worry about it.
Have to give credit to the local dealer, Specialty Yachts for noticing that I am less than satisfied when filling the Hunter customer survey and Lawrence from Specialty Yachts came out with me on the boat and agreed that the vibration was excessive.
The propeller was then taken off the boat, sent back to factory for checks. I was under the initial impression that it was sent back to the factory in Germany but later was told that it may have gone to the US dealer, the only certified Variprop service centre in North America.
I was told that it needed adjustment and servicing which was done.
I finally had the Variprop back last fall and now mounted back on the boat a month and a half ago.
It is indeed a joy to be able to sail again without the drag of a fixed blade propeller but the vibration is still excessive to me while motoring.
The prop works well until about 2500 rpm and then it starts to have a "thump thump" like beat frequency type of vibration and the helm starts wanting to veer to port. At 3000 rpm and above, the thump thump frequency has increased to a blend of buzz and the shaking is, in my estimation, too stressful for the drive train.
The helm also needs to be held to stay straight ahead at this point or else it will veer to port.
This is all a bit better than before sending the prop for service and adjustment but in my mind still too much vibration for the drive train.
The engine runs smooth on idle all the way to 3600 rpm so the vibration is all from the shaft on to the propeller.
The strut holding the propeller is new as I hit a log last season and had to replace the strut and had the propeller shaft checked.
I was using the factory 2 blade fixed prop while the Variprop was off for servicing and while there are other types of vibration, it was not the thump thump like vibration as with the Variprop.
It is difficult to quantify what is "excessive vibration" when motoring but I had a 2004 Hunter33 before this with a fixed 3 blade prop connected to a similar horsepower Yanmar engine and the vibration was much less. I also never had to touch the helm while motoring.
I am suspicious that there is still something wrong with the propeller. If the thump thump vibration and helm veering off are both improved by the adjustment but not eliminated, seems to me that there is a balance or uneven issue with the propeller that was reduced but not eliminated.
Any suggestions out there on similar experiences with Variprop and how you may have handled the issue?
Thanks.
