Messages

It does, thanks Ed.

Alex, thanks for the info on the Kiwi prop, looks really cool but I think it's a bit more exotic than what I need.

Just an FYI Guys,

Found the paperwork for the prop it was made by a company called PerfectPitch and sold through CDI. As I suspected it's no longer available. I purchased mine in 2001 and I think they went out of business a few years later which is unfortunate since it got a lot of positive reviews. Interestingly it's blade shape is similar to that of the CS blade in the picture Alex posted.

Alex,

No worries I'm guilty of the same thing myself more times than I'm willing to admit.

My mistake, it's stamped "Sailer Michigan".

Alex,

"Dezincifocation" I had to look that one up. From what I gathered it's a process that affects brass and since my prop was plastic I'd say it's unlikely that was the cause.

Krafty,

6.5 knots at 2200 rpm is very efficient what kind of prop do you have? For your temp 160 is good as long as it runs around there leave it alone.

Alex,

The prop that came from the factory on my boat is a CS two blade 15" by 10 and is probably going back on in the interim. Is your CS two or three blade?

Ron,

It's a plastic or plastic composite with a high tech (for the time) blade shape, curved leading edge and a straight trailing edge. I don't remember who the maker was I've been going through my old paperwork looking for an info sheet or receipt, to tell the truth I'd consider buying another one, just before the blade snapped off I was making 6.8 knots.

Ron,

I know just how you feel I'm 26 but I'm trapped in this old guy's body!

Ed,

It's probably a lot more forgiving than the lobster trap guys! If you could how about a review of your three blade. How do you like it? How does it compare to what you replaced it with? Any or thoughts you might have?

FYI, I just dug out my original Sailor prop and I may just install that until I figure out the best option for me.

Thanks Guys,

As I expected lots of good suggestions. Right now I'm thinking about a 3 blade fixed prop like the one CD sells. While the 3 blade folding prop is clearly superior I think the fixed will meet my requirements for the way I sail nowadays as my racing days are behind me and getting there as fast as possible isn't as important as it used to be.

Alex,

I have no idea what I hit if indeed I hit anything at all. There is a lot of kelp in the water but I haven't seen any big kelp paddies. If I had hit a floating object that wouldn't explain the clogged raw water filter on the other hand I can't imagine any kind of kelp encounter breaking a blade off the prop. After 30+ years the blade may have simply departed the prop. In any case I'm in the market for a new prop, a 3 blade like CD sells seems to be the way to go.

Ed,

Thanks for the response, what were you using before the FlexoFold?

Since one blade of my prop just snapped off yesterday I'm in the market for a new one. I haven't bought a prop for 30+ years I'd be interested to know what the current thinking is about prop replacements.

Noah,

While I was down at the boat today I looked in the locker between the head and the nav station and I do have a factory installed Wye valve which gives you the option to pump either to the tank or over the side.

As to my problem encountered on the way home, vibration with loss of boat speed, I went under the boat and found one prop blade had snapped clean off! What's amazing is I was still able to motor home more than 10 miles at 6 knots with one blade! It also explains why the stuffing box was running warmer than normal.

Alex,

I use 2400 RPM for cruise I've found that to be about optimal, I can run it at higher RPM but there's little to be gained in hull speed. The temp gauge reads about 140. The 6.8 knots was unusual due I'd say to favorable conditions, flat seas, no wind, and I was probably getting help from a friendly current normally I see around 6.1 to 6.3.

Noah,

OK, now you've peaked my interest I'll be down at the boat today for the usually post trip cleanup, replenish, and fixes so I'll take a look at my arrangement. My boat is older so if it's setup that way it may be a hold over from when you just pumped over the side wherever you were at. My previous boat a Catalina 27 had no holding tank it all went over the side.

Just a note, keep an eye open there's a lot of kelp out there this year. On the way home yesterday I was making good time motoring along at around 6.8 knots when mid channel I hit or ran over something. The boat shuddered impressively and developed a vibration then the temp gauge started to rise. When I started working the problem I found the seawater intake filter was loaded with crap and not moving water. After cleaning it out and gunning the motor a couple of times the temp returned to normal also I cycled the prop reverse and forward to try to shake loose anything that may have been wrapped. The vibration lessened so I decided to proceed but at the same RPM I could only make 6 knots so something is definitely going on underneath. I'm going to get my mask and take a look today.

Avalon Harbor Dept actually uses dye tablets, they're pink and when the hit water they turn neon green. Then they'll ask you to pump the head and they'll look for leaks in the water, if you've never seen it it's impressive when someone pumps their holding tank overboard into the harbor. I'm not sure what the fine is now but when they started tabbing holding tanks about 30+ years ago it was $500, in addition to the fine you'll be banished from the harbor for a year (they don't fool around) but should that happen you can still get a mooring in Desconso or Hamilton Cove. The moral of the story is make sure your holding system is up to snuff.

I'm a bit fuzzy on the subject so I could be wrong but as I recall my '86 C34 came with a Wye Valve allowing you to pump to the holding tank or over the side but I've never used it (which is why I may be a bit foggy) since I don't why you wouldn't just pump to the tank and dump when convenient.

Krafty,

I just got back this afternoon after spending a week in Avalon, this week is supposed to be awesome high 80s and water temp is 75, have fun make sure your holding tank valve is closed!