On Sat, 14 Feb 2009 09:48:14 -0500, HK wrote:

Also a few years ago, there was some editorial material about a prop
whose pitch could be varied while underway. The prop was at the business
end of an outdrive. I don't recall whether this was a product under
development or just someone's interesting wet dream.

Look at the size of the prop spinner on even a small airplane. Lots of
room for a bulky hydraulic prop [they usethe engine oil for power] and
no pair of right angles in the shafting. Boating reported the flexible
plastic prop, but the CP prop for a sterndrive is less than vaporware,
at least I never heard of it and neither has Boating. If you put a 3
speed automatic trans on a boat you could have a more powerful engine,
as there would be less need for a fat torque curve, as well as staying
closer to the most efficient RPM, usually as low as possible. Over
thirty foot boats that have trouble getting on plane is the obvious
application. With a multispeed trans you could run a sprint car motor,
and I happen to have one lying around. About 100 gph of alcohol, in a
small block.

Casady