Propeller

dougpol1 · Nov 13, 2011

On 11/13/2011 08:02 PM, n4lbl wrote:

dougpol1 · Nov 13, 2011

By the way if I am right you run a good chance of ruining the valves in
your engine if you use it very much. The black smoke is carbon and too
much of it will wear the valves quickly. Doug

dougpol1 · Nov 14, 2011

I think that unresponsive in revers is a trait of the Albin Vega. There
was a time when sailboats were just that, no engine. Most people in the
eraly 1960's were sailing boats built in the late 1930's no engins at
all. Most adapted with and outboard motor. The Vega was designed at a
time when an engine was begining to be important to sailors. If they
could motor at all they were happy and if they could back up that was a
huge bonus. Steering in reverse was really something. So Vegas just
don't steer in revers unless you can back fast enough for the rudder to
have some control. Even going forward you can't throw the engine in
forward and expect the boat to start turning, There is no prop wash over
the rudder to give steering until the boat is moving. The slip I keep
my boat in has slips right across from it. I cannot back out of my slip
because I can't get up a enough speed in reverse to steer. So I back
into the slip and pull out bow first. Works a charm. I come in toward
my slip motoring in front of a row of slips and when the bow gets to the
slip I hard over with the helm turning the boat away from the slip. As
the boat turns the stern is moving sideways in front of the slip and
when it almost lines up I go in revers and the boat begins backing in. I
usually have to push off a piling a little bit. It is so easy even in a
cross wind. Just forget about the idea that steering in reverse is a
problem. The Vega is first of all a sailboat and any motorboat ideas
were strictly and after thought in it's design. I think the engines
originally were about 6 horsepower so it's easy to see an engine was not
a top priority like American boat designs. One of the things I learned
from my father was his feelings on sailboats. He used to say love the
boat you have learn to use her vices to your advantage because sail
boats being the compromise they are all have failings. So when you
trade or sell and buy another boat you are just trading vices. Take
good care of your boat and give her to your grand children one day. Some
of the happiest young men I know are sailing dads old boat.
Doug

Vega1447 · Nov 14, 2011

Great post!

I really like the tip re backing in - I'll try it with plenty of fenders
out...

John V1447 Breakaway

dougpol1 · Nov 14, 2011

On 11/14/2011 10:45 AM, n4lbl wrote:

pjacobs55 · Nov 14, 2011

I back out of my slip too. I just walk the boat out, giving her a nudge in the direction I want to turn, hop on and slip the lever into reverse. She naturally keeps turning in the direction of the assisting push.
A tip from a fellow sailor: when you go from reverse to forward wait until the boat actually starts moving forward before putting the tiller hard over. This way she starts turning immediately.

Doug, I like your method of backing in and will give it a try!

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
www.sintacha.com

SVFlyAway · Nov 14, 2011

I wrote sometime ago about the removable "stern thruster" I have on my
Vega. It works very well. In fact the other day I had to move the boat down
several slips and I was working on my fuel system, so I just used the
"thruster" and moved the Vega no problem.

Now, why I am writing. One thing that is commonly forgotten in the age of
engines is the springline. I teach boating and navigation on-the-water and
provide certification, and this is one thing we teach. By using springlines
I have taught a couple to take a 46 foot powerboat with a single screw from
a crowded dock as easy as backing a car. Granted most of what is taught is
for powerboats, but, hey, a sailboat under power is a powerboat. One other
note, powerboats with a single-screw and no thruster often have a worse
time at low speed maneuvers than a sailboat since powerboat rudders are
much smaller.

I singlehand and find the use of springlines a godsend. I use them for
docking, undocking, and also for just holding my boat to a dock as I get
ready to depart. I have my system for the Vega down pat now. Here is a link
to the use of springlines that I find pretty good. I don't know the people
involved with the site, but their info is good. Just scroll down the page
and you will see the article on springlines (by the way the article on fuel
polishing is excellent also).

One more note, since I single hand I can't always go and retrieve my lines.
I use a floating line (a polypropylene ) for my springing. The line just
floats and I pick it up as I go by with a boat hook. Since it floats it
can't foul the prop. Normally I hate poly, but for a use like this I do
find it handy (and it is really cheap).

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Chris

groundhogyh · Nov 14, 2011

Hi,
If I understand correctly, the OP has an MD6A with a 13x10 three blade prop. This seems to be a very very agressive prop for the vega.

My story is that my vega came with almost the same set up. I have the Fwd/Rev transmission with 1.9:1 reduction also. So the prop spins at a higher speed than normal boats that ususually have 2:1 i believe.

I had a 13x10, 2 blade michigan prop, sailor model.

I had it bent back to a 13x8, and things improved greatly but the prop was still too agressive.

The propellor shop told me they couldnt bend it back any more cause it would crack.

So I checked the prices of new michigan props.... like $500 I think?
And if I guessed wrong.... more bending and more money spent.

I purchased a Max-prop feathering prop. 3 blade. Smallest model I think. You can fiddle with the pitch every season when you pull the boat.

groundhog