(Bobsprit) wrote in message ...
1. Why is the engine running on a small sailboat at sea when there is
apparantly enough wind to cause a fairly short (small sail boat) chop?

2. Are we talking inboard or an outboard.


1) The boat is under power because the rig is damaged.
2) It's an inboard.

RB

Name 1 sailboat with a inboard the will freewheel it's prop.

You would have to pitchpole most sailboats to freewheel a prop.

That said.... most boats can handle the loads. But if they can not
there is a sheer pin in your gear box and 2 one on most shafts. When a
fast moving prop hits the water usually it will cavitate until it digs
in making the load gradule enough to handle. Diesels have governers
that will keep them from overspeeding.
Gasoline engines may overspeed but the time in air most likely will be
short enough to not worry about the rpms.

Joe

Joe wrote:
Name 1 sailboat with a inboard the will freewheel it's prop.

You would have to pitchpole most sailboats to freewheel a prop.

That's not true, many fin keelers with the prop far enough aft will do
it. It's noe plus to having the motor & drive further forward, the way
many racing boats are.


That said.... most boats can handle the loads. But if they can not
there is a sheer pin in your gear box and 2 one on most shafts.

Or the coupling will fail. The problem is most likely to result in
beating up the cutless bearing IMHO.

... When a
fast moving prop hits the water usually it will cavitate until it digs
in making the load gradule enough to handle.

True. And most boats under 30 tons should be well enough built to handle
the loads, as long as you don't do it too often.

... Diesels have governers
that will keep them from overspeeding.

Very good. I was waiting for somebody to mention the governor. Clearly
Boobsie has no clue (is that a surprise).

Gasoline engines may overspeed but the time in air most likely will be
short enough to not worry about the rpms.

True in a sailboat, but racing powerboats have a throttleman whose
entire job at speed is to cut the throttle when airborn. Doesn't that
sound like fun?

Fresh Breezes- Doug King