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From: Alan Lewis (no email)
Date: Tue Aug 03 2004 - 07:19:19 EDT
In spite of all the positive reasons for choosing a feathering prop (vs.
folding) -- including more speed under sail and better performance in
reverse -- I just encountered a serious drawback. A few weeks ago I picked
up a 20' length of nylon rope on the prop which, unlike pot warp whch
usually stops the engine, shredded and lodged between the blades. The prop
continued to spin and stripped the gears in propellor, rendering the MaxProp
useless. Fortunately I was able to sail to my home port and get hauled. It
appears that the prop may be unrepairable and will need to be replaced. I
am seriously reconsidering getting another MaxProp in favor of a return to a
conventional fixed blade. It is nearly impossible to replace a MaxProp in
the water making emergency repairs unlikely. Furthermore, I had to shorten
the shaft to accommodation the end cap on the MaxProp which leaves room for
only a single shaft nut to hold on a conventional prop (which means I should
also replace the (two year old) shaft.
Has anyone else experienced a similar problem or was I just extremely
unlucky?
Alan L. Lewis
"Victoria"
Gulfstar 41 #160
Lying Kittery, ME
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