"Flemming Torp" fletopkanelbolle2rp.danmark wrote in
:

When will my boat run fastest: 'Free' running propeller or
fixed/locked propeller? ... Simple question, complicated
answers, I understand ...


When you replace the prop with a folding prop that has nearly zero drag.
It does make a difference. I'm not crazy about a prop with so much
underwater mechanical parts, myself. Those little critters with the little
shells must be of some nuisance to a folding prop with cracks in them.

Freewheeling would seem to produce less drag than it being locked up
dragging, with no load on the prop. Ever notice how quick the dingy stops
when the outboard motor just locks up as opposed to drops to idle speed
still turning the prop slowly?

I'm also told some transmissions will not tolerate freewheeling. Case in
point is when we got this "new-used" Perkins 4-108 from another boater, the
transmission on it was much smaller than the original one in Lionheart on
her old Perkins 4-108. The mechanics said to keep this "fluid drive"
larger transmission because it was made to freewheel for the alternator.
The small transmission was not. I've never seen why, though, and don't
know why.

Oh oh...this is getting too long, again....sorry.