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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

What kind of prop is this?

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/15/2013 : 19:17:58

Does anyone recognize what kind of prop this is? It's the prop that's on the boat I just bought. The flukes rotate, as you could probably deduce from the picture. I'm just now learning about "big boat stuff," and I'm wondering if this is what is referred to as a "feathering" prop.

Thanks so much!

Ben
Beneteau 361
Viking Kitty
Columbus, Ohio

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2013 : 19:47:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ben
 Does anyone recognize what kind of prop this is? It's the prop that's on the boat I just bought. The flukes rotate, as you could probably deduce from the picture. I'm just now learning about "big boat stuff," and I'm wondering if this is what is referred to as a "feathering" prop.

Thanks so much!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">It's a feathering prop but I've never seen one that looked like that one.

Feathering:

[url="http://sailing.about.com/od/typesofsailboats/ss/Sailboatprops_5.htm"]Feathering Props[/url]

Versus

[url="http://sailing.about.com/od/typesofsailboats/ss/Sailboatprops_4.htm"]Folding Prop[/url]

Edited by - GaryB on 02/15/2013 19:50:02

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2013 : 19:47:56

Yup, although a rather crude version IMHO. I haven't seen one with the external connections quite like that. Folding props are something different... but feathering props I've seen rotate on integral shafts that go inside the hub rather than on some sort of pin on the outside.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 02/15/2013 19:52:06

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2013 : 22:35:11

It looks like it might be a [url="http://www.bruntons-propellers.com/Autoprop/Autoprophome.htm"]Brunton Autoprop[/url]. They look similar, although a bit hard to tell since yours is a bit corroded(?). They're not exact, but maybe it's an older model?

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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1234 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2013 : 06:54:11

I think David has it. I did a youtube search on Bruntons Autoprop, and that appears to be what it is.

Thanks all for your help in identifying this for me. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdxY5Q7wXek

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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2015 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2013 : 07:00:03

Autoprop Self-pitching Propellers

Another specialty propeller is one from England called the Autoprop. This propeller features self-pitching as it turns and somewhat reduced drag while sailing. It is an odd looking propeller that has blades that are L shaped with the small leg swiveling on an axis not unlike the feathering propellers blades without the gearing. The off center position of the axis and each blade's individually freewheeling effect allow it to find its own pitch. The centrifugal force on the blades and the rush of the water into and around it allows it to set its own pitch.

It is extremely efficient and adjusts with any increase in rpm or load such as towing a powerboat, headwinds or seas. The more power you throttle up the more it works keeping the boat going until it reaches maximum hull speed. From that point on it only burns more fuel and doesn't push any faster because it can't.

In sailing position it isn't as drag free as the folding or feathering propellers but it has less than most fixed blades. Some people, especially those in waters with lots of bottom life, take exception to the possibility of the little ball bearings binding up with barnacles and growth. They feel that this in turn will affect its ability to work but it is most likely the cost that keeps them from choosing one.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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1144 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2013 : 07:56:22

That's a nice feature to have. A feathering prop can make a big difference when sailing in light air and is quite expensive ($2000 and up). I was thinking about one for my big boat, but the price scared me away and I just went with a smaller profile fixed prop (Campbell Sailor).

One downside of a feathering prop is that they do need to be overhauled and lubed periodically. If your boat is still out of the water this would be a good time to do it.

Check the instructions for how to most effectively use that prop. You probably need to put the transmission into reverse to lock the prop shaft while sailing.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2013 : 15:30:43

AutoProp
Saw this at the Strictly Sail Miami. This looks just like the prop posted above.</center>

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