Lock that prop: the truth at last

[CD-Sailor]

DELETED

[John Danicic]

Are feathering props supposed to be locked or unlocked under sail?

Sorry, but once again, another question for the experts.

[CD-Sailor]

DELETED

[Joe Myerson]

Just imagine zipping along at 4.4 knots instead of a mere 4.3?

Well put, Clarence!

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

[bottomscraper]

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.

[Loren]

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