L
Lee Hound
Thank you all for your experience and help in finding the right feathering prop for my Sabre32. When I first asked the questions in June, many of you people helped me find the right answers. I have now a 3 blade feathering prop where was before a 2-blade fixed. I found out the following:1. At the first seconds of motoring I recognized a lot less vibration, so the overall engine noise appeares to be much softer and lower. She's now humming like a turbine! ( Westerbeke are nicely balanced motors anyway)2. Picking up rpm and speed, I didn't find substantial differences to the fixed 2-blade, specifically the maximum speeds appear to be the same. I didn't notice improvements in thrust, but that remains to be seen once I get into high swells and headwinds. Over all the engine rpm appear to be a little higher in the middle ranges, same in high ranges. So I wouldn't know why to change the pitch for now.3. Revers: The BIG change! No prop walk whatsoever, nice pull, great stopping power.A breeze to manouver the boat backwards.4. Sailing: Another positive surprise, but not as big a change as some people claim. I may have gained about .5 to .75 knots in light air, she might also point a little higher. (Simple mathematics) Since I had tuned the rig at the same time it's hard to say how much influence the prop has. But the combination of both certainly did the trick! Over all 1+ knot speed improvements in light to moderate air!Lee