Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 25-09-2011, 17:40   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: east coast Australia
Boat: Roberts Spray
Posts: 11
Prop Spinning

Last night we anchored in a river that has a very fast flowing current and noticed that our prop shaft was spinning. Does anyone know if this is usual?
manateegirls is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2011, 17:56   #2
Registered User
 
Unicorn Dreams's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clear Lake Marine Services - Seabrook, Texas
Boat: Gulfstar, Mark II Ketch, 43'
Posts: 2,359
Re: prop spinning

Velvet drive transmissions and others will do this, especially under sail.
__________________
Formerly Santana
The winds blow true,The skies stay blue,
Everyday is a good day for SAILING!!!!
Unicorn Dreams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2011, 18:18   #3
Registered User
 
S/V Antares's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Annapolis, Bahamas
Boat: 1983 Gulfstar 36
Posts: 1,253
Images: 1
Re: prop spinning

Most gears will spin in neutral. If you have a mechanical gear like like a smaller ZF , kanzaki or TMC you can simply put it in either forwards or reverse depending which direction the current is running.
__________________
Will & Muffin
Lucy the dog

"Yes, well.. perhaps some more wine" (Julia Child)
S/V Antares is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-09-2011, 18:24   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: east coast Australia
Boat: Roberts Spray
Posts: 11
Re: prop spinning

Thanks for your replies...I've not noticed the shaft doing this before.
We have a borg warner 2.10:1 gearbox. Is there anyway to stop this spinning? It's very noisy when we're enjoying a beautiful and peaceful anchorage.

We tried both forward and reverse and it didn't stop the spin
manateegirls is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-09-2011, 17:41   #5
Marine Service Provider
 
oldcal46skipper's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Bayou Chico, FL 32507
Boat: Cal Cruising 46 - SATORI
Posts: 402
Re: Prop Spinning

Borg Warner Velvet Drives are hydraulically operated by the boats engine turning a gear pump. While the BW manual states that "windmilling" is acceptable while under sail or on twin engine fishing vessels, there is wear. Some of the bearings depend on the pressurized oil for lubrication, plus you have more moving parts like your shaft, the cutless bearing, and stuffing box.

I have been rebuilding BW Velvet Drives for over 40 years and have seen the damage caused by not locking your shaft. Continue long term windmilling and you will pay . I recently rebuilt a gear box like yours $850USD + a bottle of Talisker.

There are several shaft locks on the market for hydraulic gear boxes. If you intend to continue anchoring and/or sailing with your engine off, lock the shaft. I have a Luke feathering prop on my boat, so when we sail, I have the Commodore bring the boat up into the wind until the prop stops spinning, then I grab the shaft with a heavy leather glove, stop it, and attach a pair of "Vise Grip" pliers to a bolt on the output shaft coupling. In case of emergency or forgetfullness, I have a short lanyard attached to the pliers, so if I must start the engine they will not launch.

This has worked for me for 29 years. Your mileage may vary. Be careful.

Tom
oldcal46skipper is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Prop Won't Go into Gear fsuhansell Propellers & Drive Systems 58 23-09-2011 05:42
For Sale: Catalina 27 Prop and Shaft Carl-T705 Classifieds Archive 0 16-09-2011 11:02
Prop Shaft Spinning when Sailing bruadair Propellers & Drive Systems 73 01-09-2011 08:18
Antifouling My Prop Reid Propellers & Drive Systems 2 26-08-2011 17:21
How Do I Get a New Prop Key ? Target9000 Propellers & Drive Systems 18 23-08-2011 17:39

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:41.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.