On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 10:02:57 -0800, "Lloyd Sumpter"
wrote:

Truth is, I want to make sure Far Cove sails well once I get this new motor, so
I won't be tempted to motor wherever I go

====================================

Other than a dirty bottom and keel, one of the biggest impediments to
light air sailing is a fixed prop, especially a 3 bladed fixed prop.
The extra money and maintenance for a feathering or folding prop can
make all the difference in the world once the wind speed drops under
10 knots or so.

On Sun, 07 Dec 2003 01:33:15 +0000, Wayne. wrote:

On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 10:02:57 -0800, "Lloyd Sumpter" wrote:

Truth is, I want to make sure Far Cove sails well once I get this new motor, so
I won't be tempted to motor wherever I go

====================================

Other than a dirty bottom and keel, one of the biggest impediments to light air
sailing is a fixed prop, especially a 3 bladed fixed prop. The extra money and
maintenance for a feathering or folding prop can make all the difference in the
world once the wind speed drops under 10 knots or so.

Hmmm...but wouldn't this also affect my upwind performance? As long as my
bottom is clean, I have no problems upwind - I used to outsail the Vikings'
brand-new Cat 34 consistantly, and I'm usually slowly overtaking other boats as
long as it's upwind. Any wind over 5 knots and I'm fine upwind, but I need
10-15 to do anything downwind.

I did consider a feathering prop, but I think the money would be better spent
on a new genoa (the old one is about 15 years old. If nothing else, I'd like a
new one so I don't have to baby it so much)

Last time out, I was cruising along at around 5-6 knots in 7 knots wind (45
deg. apparent), and thinking about all the "extra speed" people have promised
me: a clean bottom would get me at least an extra knot, feathering prop 1-2
knots "guaranteed!", new genny a knot or so...geez, I'd be doing over hullspeed!


Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36

On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 18:41:55 -0800, "Lloyd Sumpter"
wrote:
Last time out, I was cruising along at around 5-6 knots in 7 knots wind (45
deg. apparent), and thinking about all the "extra speed" people have promised
me: a clean bottom would get me at least an extra knot, feathering prop 1-2
knots "guaranteed!", new genny a knot or so...geez, I'd be doing over hullspeed!

============================

Absolutely! And if you buy all of the automotive gadgets that promise
to save you 20% each, youl'll have fuel overflowing from the tank as
you drive.

All I can say about propeller drag is that racing folks take it
extremely seriouly, to the point that some boats send a man overboard
before the start to put a rubber band around the folding prop. The
idea is to keep one of the blades from unfolding accidently as the
boat heels over one way or the other. We rarely did this when I was
(successfully) racing my Cal-34, but I did have the shaft marked so
that we could be sure the hinge pin in the prop was straight up and
down. That is normally enough to keep it folded up. If you have any
additional doubts about the effect of drag, try putting your hand in
the water at 5 knots with your palm facing forward. If your hand
approximates the size of a propeller blade, that is the same force
holding you back with the prop open.