It has been repeatedly demonstrated that airplanes glide significantly
farther (up to 20%) when the nose is raised to slow them down enough
to stop the prop and best glide speed is then resumed. I can't see
any reason why this wouldn't be true of boat propellers as well. It
also agrees with just about every other reference I've seen on the
subject.

--

Roger Long



"Flemming Torp" fletopkanelbolle2rp.danmark wrote in message
. ..
My brother in law, and I have had a discussion of whether it is
best - from a pure speed point of view (no consideration to the
mechanics/oil/maintenance/gearbox etc. here ...) whether you should
let your "fixed three bladed propeller" run/turn or keep it fixed
(like put into gear) when sailing just for the wind with your sails
in a 34 feet cruiser weighing roughly 5 T ... We have -
unsuccesfully - tried to find out using the log ... the results were
not conclusive - or one of us would not admit, that the other was
right ... I think we need a testimony from someone, that has a
'scientific based valid answer' ... or just knows for sure ...

The assumption is: There is no way to move, turn, 'collapse'
anything on the propeller - the 'blades' are fixed ... (hard to
explain in a language, that is not your own ... hope you get my
point).

Anybody in this group that can convince one of us, that he is not
right? ...

--
Flemming Torp