Lock that prop: the truth at last
Moderator: Jim Walsh
- John Danicic
- Posts: 594
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 10:30
- Location: CD 36 - Mariah - #124 Lake Superior
- Contact:
Feathering props
Are feathering props supposed to be locked or unlocked under sail?
Sorry, but once again, another question for the experts.
Sorry, but once again, another question for the experts.
Sail on
John Danicic
CD36 - Mariah- #124
Lake Superior- The Apostle Islands
CDSOA #655
Cape Dory Picture Posts
John Danicic
CD36 - Mariah- #124
Lake Superior- The Apostle Islands
CDSOA #655
Cape Dory Picture Posts
- Joe Myerson
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Feb 6th, '05, 11:22
- Location: s/v Creme Brulee, CD 25D, Hull #80, Squeteague Harbor, MA
Re: The Practical Issue At Hand
Well put, Clarence!Sea_Runt wrote:Just imagine zipping along at 4.4 knots instead of a mere 4.3?
So, OK, let's prolong this endless discussion with a serious question.
In my case, at least, with a boat that is not among the fastest Cape Dory designs (lots of windage and a 19-foot waterline), I'm more bothered by the thought of all those moving parts moving than I am about boatspeed. And the sounds emanating from my spinning prop sure sound like metal-on-metal to me.
But the other side of the equation includes advice from Hurth and (I think) Yanmar about not locking the shaft.
For those who let their props spin: Can you hear your prop turning, or could my prop or shaft be out of line in some way?
--Joe
Former Commodore, CDSOA
Former Captain, Northeast Fleet
S/V Crème Brûlée, CD 25D, Hull # 80
"What a greate matter it is to saile a shyppe or goe to sea."
--Capt. John Smith, 1627
Former Captain, Northeast Fleet
S/V Crème Brûlée, CD 25D, Hull # 80
"What a greate matter it is to saile a shyppe or goe to sea."
--Capt. John Smith, 1627
- bottomscraper
- Posts: 1400
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 11:08
- Location: Previous Owner of CD36 Mahalo #163 1990
- Contact:
Click and Clack - My Guess
My guess is they will think that locking your prop while sailing is like trying to coast down hill in your car with your engine off and the transmision in gear.
Rich Abato
Nordic Tug 34 Tanuki
Previous Owner Of CD36 Mahalo #163
Southern Maine
http://www.sailmahalo.com
Nordic Tug 34 Tanuki
Previous Owner Of CD36 Mahalo #163
Southern Maine
http://www.sailmahalo.com
sound
When I allow the prop to spin there is some sound - but not a metal on metal sound. The sound level depends on boat speed - when going near hull speed it is almost always locked and often locked at lower speeds. When winds are light and another boat is in the vicinity I let it spin (I assume they are racing
)
Many manufacturers state whether or not they recommend locking. Wear and tear is quite minor in my opinion. The main question was whether locking or spinning resulted in less drag and clearly (to me), every controlled experiment identified this. Also as stated previously a two blade on a CD locked vertically behind the keel causes the least drag.
Loren
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Many manufacturers state whether or not they recommend locking. Wear and tear is quite minor in my opinion. The main question was whether locking or spinning resulted in less drag and clearly (to me), every controlled experiment identified this. Also as stated previously a two blade on a CD locked vertically behind the keel causes the least drag.
Loren