Autoprop ?

[Alan Wheeler]

Also if I had less than a 50 hp engine there is a prop with plastic blades that is getting a rather high following.

That would be the Kiwiprop. Excellent prop, but sadly they go no bigger than 50Hp. Otherwise I would have one in a flash.
Not plastic by the way, but a very special composite. Similar to Marlon fittings. It's a very strong material.

[Yachts66]

Thank you Bill, I appreciate your input. Earlier in this thread there was a posting about a replacement zinc modification so a standard cone zinc can be used. What do you think of that?

Much thanks,

TJ

[RaptorDance]

My general opinion of the zinc mod is "It ain't broke" so why fix it?

Maybe you could justify it on the basis of a big investment to use cheaper zincs after that, but I don't use that many prop zincs so that argument is dubious.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by RaptorDance

My general opinion of the zinc mod is "It ain't broke" so why fix it?

Maybe you could justify it on the basis of a big investment to use cheaper zincs after that, but I don't use that many prop zincs so that argument is dubious.

The argument is not that there is anything wrong with standard Autoprop zincs, but that the plastic screws used to attach them to the prop are real pieces of crap. Not to mention that trying to find an Auotprop zinc in the U.S. is next to impossible.

[Yachts66]

Now that's interesting Fast, they have a US Distributor who says they are a stocking distributor....you'd think they'd have the zincs...a pretty common and necessary part. You seem to have a real hard on for Autoprop...do you own one that has given you grief or did they just piss you off somewhere along the way or what?

Raptor, do you concur? Are the zincs in fact hard to come by?

Thanks,

TJ

[fstbttms]

My hard-on for Autoprop is because I have to service them. Their design makes my job harder. That's the hull cleaner's perspective.

If I was an Autoprop owner I'd be pissed that the blades have an annoying tendancy to fall off, that some of the fasteners used are made of plastic and that I have to special-order the friggin' zincs. Not to mention the cost. I just don't see much advantage, personally.

[RaptorDance]

Autoprop zincs are trivial to find. Blade loss is only a risk if the prop is neglected, abused or improperly overhauled (i.e. you forget to lock the star lock nut!).

The prop performs great under power and sail.

fstbttms - You can get Autoprop Zincs in San Francisco Bay from Alameda Prop - which was the closest prop shop to our slip when we were in the Bay.

You can also get them from boatzincs.com on the web for the low price of $26.10 for an H6. see: BoatZincs.com (978-841-9978) - Discount Zinc Anodes

Or you can order them from the US Autoprop distributer: AB Marine Autoprop Feathering Sailboat propeller | AB Marine

I dive and clean our bottom, replace zincs, etc. Never had a problem with stripping the plastic screws. So I don't know what your problem is. When I've hired divers and they replaced the zincs, they haven't had a problem either!

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by RaptorDance

fstbttms - You can get Autoprop Zincs in San Francisco Bay from Alameda Prop - which was the closest prop shop to our slip when we were in the Bay.

Wanna take a guess how many times I've been in there to get them and they were out?

Originally Posted by RaptorDance

You can also get them from boatzincs.com

Yes, yes, I know. That's where I ordered the H5 zinc I've been having trouble installing. The whole point is that having to order something as ubiquitous as a zinc is a PITA.

Originally Posted by RaptorDance

I dive and clean our bottom, replace zincs, etc. Never had a problem with stripping the plastic screws. So I don't know what your problem is. When I've hired divers and they replaced the zincs, they haven't had a problem either!

Yes, well clearly you're the expert.

[Alan Wheeler]

Calm down boys. I can see the red tinge in the faces. Raptor, Fstbttms does cleaning and maintenance of hulls and props etc for a living. So he ain't no rookie.

[Yachts66]

Say Fstbttms, what's the going per foot charge for in the water cleaning down in the Bay area these days? Have you folks had any problems with the environmental folks about the growth you remove? Just curious, we've been looking at offering similar services up here in Oregon.

Regards,

TJ

[Eleven]

Thankyou Raptor. Just what we need, notes from a user with a wider experience of a prop or, like yourself, several props. Seriously what a forum is for.
As an long serving mechanical designer I've been monitoring props for my first boat. So far, for a drive leg installation, I would only change to a plastic prop plus spare if i had to remove the existing unit.
Fixed shaft props the obvious for serious sailing is a folding prop to reduce drag and if any one is using these please give your experience an airing. Fixed props in neutral are nearly as good so were they worth fitting? Mono's and Multi's.
Raptor also comments that if you want to drive against a load there is no substitute for diameter. Fine on a drive leg, and I'll consider that after a sea trial against the wind. Bigger diameter is also more efficient when you don't have to drag it through the water the rest of the time.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Yachts66

Say Fstbttms, what's the going per foot charge for in the water cleaning down in the Bay area these days? Have you folks had any problems with the environmental folks about the growth you remove? Just curious, we've been looking at offering similar services up here in Oregon.

Bay Area hull cleaning rates are generally about $2.25/foot for sailboats, $3.00/foot for powerboats. Zinc installation is usually $10.00/zinc, plus the cost of the zinc.

Hull cleaners statewide are under scrutiny because of the ongoing attempt by the state to reduce copper-loading in the water column, as mandated by the USEPA. Not only hull cleaners but boat yards and anti fouling paint manufacturers as well. However, currently there are no restrictions or regulations governing normal in-water hull cleaning activities in California.

[richard_kilburn]

Originally Posted by Alan Wheeler

I have copied this from a post made by Delmarrey. It shows all the minimum measurments. Hope this is helpful.

Hi Alan - isn't "d" a maximum value?

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by richard_kilburn

Hi Alan - isn't "d" a maximum value?

Yes, "D" (1.5 x shaft dia.) is a maximum unsupported cantilever distance.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Yachts66

Have you folks had any problems with the environmental folks about the growth you remove?

OK - Someone is gonna have to tell me about stuff that spawns in the sea, gorws in the sea and being removed from the bottom of my boat and dropped in the sea being bad for the environment.

Save the Ocean! Remove some mussels every time you leave it.