Trailing props ?

[ribbony]

Something I had not thought about until last night when in the middle of the night the mind wanders around the boat and somehow it fell on the propeller (ouch). I then had this sudden realisation that the prop would probably turn if we were sailing at a reasonable rate of knots and then be turning the tranny in neutral.

I noticed earlier someone mantioned shaft brakes and also putting the tranny in reverse.

Any simple shaft brakes that one can knock up at home quickly ??????

I did like the alternator idea, might have to look at that one latter.

We have a fixed prop and having just put the boat back in the water we do not plan to pull it out again for a year or so. Feathering props sound great but we can not afford one for some time.

[delmarrey]

It is customary to put the tranny in reverse. There are folding props too! I bought A Seahawk last year out of Bayswater, Vict. and am very happy with it.

BTW a folding prop has to go in reverse also.

[Capt Hook]

You need to read up on your tranny. Some boxes can be trailed forever with no problems while others recommend you drive them every so many hours to swill the oil round. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think that a freely trailed prop will present less drag than a stationary prop. Be careful that you find a foolproof method of putting a brake on the shaft otherwise it could get expensive putting it all back together on the day you forget it was on.

Chris

[Alan Wheeler]

No a spinning prop ends up creating more drag.
Stationary is in a "stalled mode".

Ribbony, what is the gear box. We maybe able to tel you if it is safe to free wheel or not.
Adding brakes also adds complexity. Both in mechanical complexity and in personal control. You have to remember to disengage the brake. Hydraulic boxes can be set up to automaticley engage and disengage the brake so you don't have to remember.

[ribbony]

Tranny is I think a Hurth HBW100 if not it is a 150, there is no label left on it.

[Pblais]

Hurth's usually like to be put in gear and in reverse when sailing.

[GordMay]

From Universal Diesel: Universal Diesel Engine Owners Manual - Sea Water Impeller Replacement - Marine Diesel Direct / Torresen Sailing Site
Model HBW-50 (2:1)
Model HBW-100 (1.8:1)
Model HBW-150 (1.9:1)
Model HBW-150 V-Drive (2.13:1)

CAUTION
DO NOT LEAVE GEAR IN FORWARD WHEN SAILING. GEAR MUST BE IN NEUTRAL FOR FREE WHEELING OR SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO LOCK PROPELLER WHILE SAILING.

[ribbony]

Thanks - You learn something every day !

Are those Universal diesels a kubota based engine ?