Propeller Question

[Norm Harris]

As noted in a previous thread, my Block Island cowhorn has all of the responsiveness of a freight train in tight quarters. Anyway, someone with some knowledge mentioned having the tips of my three-blade prop bent backward. He theorized that the crabbing would be reduced because the wash wouldn't be forced onto the starboard underbody.

I'm sceptical because I assume that if it was more than theory all sailboats would be equiped with bent tipped props.

I'm not naive enough to go to West Marine and ask for a bottle of prop wash, but I just have to ask.

[mmd]

"Hey, Harry! I've finished sculpting, machining, balancing, and carefully checking that this thing is accurate to within a fraction of a milimeter of the specifications - now what do I do?"

"Hit it with a big hammer!


In other words, no.

[JJBoatman]

What about a reversing pitch prop? not cheap but responsive.

[Tom Hunter]

Keep the prop the way it is, but get a smarter freind.

I have an Eastport Pinky and it also turns like a battleship when under power. I do find it is a bit more manueverable under sail if I steer with the sails as well as the rudder but I am still learning the ins and outs of handling it.

Also when under power I can kick the stern a bit by throttling down, putting the tiller over hard and then throttling up for about 3 seconds. Part of the reason this works is that I have a 6' oak tiller with a bronze comb so this trick may not be possible on your boat.

A similar trick can be done in reverse but you can only move the stern in the direction that the prop pulls the boat.

Just a couple of thoughts, I am still learning how to handle a big, heavy, not very manueverable boat myself.