On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 21:22:37 -0800, Skipper
wrote:


It seems you are well passed the speed you want for fuel economy.
My boat is about 36,000 lbs (46') and my big 85 hp burns between 1 and
1 1/2 gph at 6 knts.
You might try a self-pitching prop like the Auto-Prop. You can
still use sail power and the prop will self-pitch to still give speed
at slower rpm. Take a look at their web site. Over time, the fuel
economy will pay for the prop. You'll also get a real prop in reverse.

A friend has a 35 hp Volvo from the late '70s pushing an 18 ton ketch
with an AutoProp. He loves it and says the efficiency is huge as is
his control. His heavy displacement full keeler now docks like a
minivan parks, and he's getting more knots from the same revs.

He says that investing in the Autoprop (around $4K Cdn.) saved him
from repowering to 55 or 85 HP ($20K-$35K). Yes, he's a liveaboard and
knows he's got too heavy a load, but he was sailing here in Toronto
yesterday and today...in February...so overbuilt steel has an upside.

His one caveat is that he feels he should install both an AquaDrive
and a shaft lock to better protect his transmission.

As I may buy his boat one day, I keep track of all his mods.

R.