I've read about the horror that is a Hunter30 in reverse and reference in the archives has been made to owners that have switched props. Does our prop and shaft expert have an opinion? What are the options in prop size and pitch for early model H30? Folding? Feathering? Thanks.
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How much money do you have?
Mike: How much money do you have to throw at the problem? If you don't want to spend a bunch of money, give Bob Kilian at Bay Props in Alemeda a call. Explain the problem to him and see what he has to say. (510/337-9122) I think can fix you up for a reasonable amount of money.
Mike: How much money do you have to throw at the problem? If you don't want to spend a bunch of money, give Bob Kilian at Bay Props in Alemeda a call. Explain the problem to him and see what he has to say. (510/337-9122) I think can fix you up for a reasonable amount of money.
Prop Walk Isn't All Bad
Boats don't back up like cars. Indeed, you can use prop walk to your advantage. Depending on what direction your slip is and how you need to leave your fairway, you can use it to get out of your slip. Our fairway leads to starboard. We reverse out of the slip to port using the port prop walk to our advantage. By pulling the starboard stern to the dock before we engage the engine in reverse, the stern has some room to move to port without hitting the port dock finger, until we have enough movement in reverse to get the rudder to be effective. Also remember, propwalk is most apparent when you aren't moving much. Goosing the engine when in reverse to get way (weigh?) on is absolutely necessary to enable the rudder to have ANY effect. My experience is that most people tend to reverse altogether too slowly, and continually complain about prop walk, when in fact they should be going a little faster to enable to the rudder to take a "bite." It doesn't hurt to use a little more throttle when just starting into reverse, which will offset the prop walk by starting to move the boat backwards faster to be able to get the rudder to be useful. Prop walk can also be used to get you off a side tie, if you're in starboard side to. Use the port prop walk to crab your stern to port. It can also be used to turn your boat in a tighter circle. It just ain't all as bad as it's cracked up to be, horror stories or not. Based on the laws of physics, once ANY prop is turning a certain way, there WILL be some walk, regardless of how much $$$ you spend on it. Sure, some are less than others, but once you learn your boat's behavior, you can use it to your advantage.
Boats don't back up like cars. Indeed, you can use prop walk to your advantage. Depending on what direction your slip is and how you need to leave your fairway, you can use it to get out of your slip. Our fairway leads to starboard. We reverse out of the slip to port using the port prop walk to our advantage. By pulling the starboard stern to the dock before we engage the engine in reverse, the stern has some room to move to port without hitting the port dock finger, until we have enough movement in reverse to get the rudder to be effective. Also remember, propwalk is most apparent when you aren't moving much. Goosing the engine when in reverse to get way (weigh?) on is absolutely necessary to enable the rudder to have ANY effect. My experience is that most people tend to reverse altogether too slowly, and continually complain about prop walk, when in fact they should be going a little faster to enable to the rudder to take a "bite." It doesn't hurt to use a little more throttle when just starting into reverse, which will offset the prop walk by starting to move the boat backwards faster to be able to get the rudder to be useful. Prop walk can also be used to get you off a side tie, if you're in starboard side to. Use the port prop walk to crab your stern to port. It can also be used to turn your boat in a tighter circle. It just ain't all as bad as it's cracked up to be, horror stories or not. Based on the laws of physics, once ANY prop is turning a certain way, there WILL be some walk, regardless of how much $$$ you spend on it. Sure, some are less than others, but once you learn your boat's behavior, you can use it to your advantage.
I love my prop walk
Our mooring is a bit different than most. We tie up along a narrow channel between to pilings, with boats behind and ahead of use. It's just like parallel parking a car. We can't go on the "curb" due to lack of water. The problem is when we want to leave, if the wind is coming from the wrong direction we can't get any headway. Our solution is to drop the stern line and use the prop walk to get the stern out. Other boats use their dinghy to push out. Getting back in is another story. RREgge S/V Allie Kat
Our mooring is a bit different than most. We tie up along a narrow channel between to pilings, with boats behind and ahead of use. It's just like parallel parking a car. We can't go on the "curb" due to lack of water. The problem is when we want to leave, if the wind is coming from the wrong direction we can't get any headway. Our solution is to drop the stern line and use the prop walk to get the stern out. Other boats use their dinghy to push out. Getting back in is another story. RREgge S/V Allie Kat
H30
Hello Mike, Not completely sure about how severe the walk problem is. As you have read the walk can be good and bad. It is often relayed to me that a folding style propeller may not better the situation and in a fair amount of cases actually increased the problem. Feathering style propellers have the reputation of helping to eliminate a vast majority of the walking problem. The standard unit for the H30 is dependent upon the model of motor your vessel is equipped with. You can e-mail me directly the engine info and I can spec it out for you. kwoody@pyiinc.com Hope this all helps. Kevin
Hello Mike, Not completely sure about how severe the walk problem is. As you have read the walk can be good and bad. It is often relayed to me that a folding style propeller may not better the situation and in a fair amount of cases actually increased the problem. Feathering style propellers have the reputation of helping to eliminate a vast majority of the walking problem. The standard unit for the H30 is dependent upon the model of motor your vessel is equipped with. You can e-mail me directly the engine info and I can spec it out for you. kwoody@pyiinc.com Hope this all helps. Kevin
Small budget = fixed 3 blade Mich. Wheel prop....
Wow, what a large prop I thought when I opened the package... I sure had second thoughts. But then I called Kevin and told him of my concerns.. he said... hey, just try it, give it a chance. Well I have and even though I do lose a half a knot.. the boat handles so well and runs so smooth .. I like it. Michigan Wheel prop, three blade fixed. My Hunter 33 backs straight out of the slip, punches thur waves and headwinds better than she did 20 years ago. So give Kevin a call... oh gee, can't remember, think Brandenton, FL. and the number.. I'll have to get back with you on that. Sorry. Anyway, he took good care of me.
Wow, what a large prop I thought when I opened the package... I sure had second thoughts. But then I called Kevin and told him of my concerns.. he said... hey, just try it, give it a chance. Well I have and even though I do lose a half a knot.. the boat handles so well and runs so smooth .. I like it. Michigan Wheel prop, three blade fixed. My Hunter 33 backs straight out of the slip, punches thur waves and headwinds better than she did 20 years ago. So give Kevin a call... oh gee, can't remember, think Brandenton, FL. and the number.. I'll have to get back with you on that. Sorry. Anyway, he took good care of me.
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