Steve, I was fortunate to have sailed with you and Linda in Ventura a number of years ago and got to back your boat into the slip easily due to the max-prop. I need to decide between a max-prop and a controllable pitch prop. It seems that the max-prop might have the advantage in backing where the cpp shines due to ease of adjustment underway. Which do you prefer and why? Robert
Hi Robert: Tough question. As far as backing goes, you can reduce pitch on the CP prop and it will go straight in reverse. Or, you can walk the stern in iether direction–a huge advantage. And then it is is about 50% more efficient under power than Max Props.
On the negative side, way more expensive, much heavier, and draggy with twisted blades and big hub (which is why it is so efficient). I could go either way as I would put up with lack of maneuverability which comes with Max Prop for better sailing. But Linda puts the Hundested in the same category as the washer/drier. She isn't going cruising without either one. Steve
Hey Steve, Thanks for the reply about the cpp prop setup. I have a follow-up question. There generally seems to be 2 different basic types of cpp setups, one is a reversible marine gear and separate pitch controller (ie. smaller Hundested), the other has the reduction and pitch together with the shaft turning only one direction (larger Hundested, Sabb, Finnoy, etc.). Do you see an advantage to either system? Also I have to either provide a washer/dryer or sail alone. Is it reasonable to run it off an inverter or is a genset required? Thanks.
Having both a CP prop and trasmission allows you to walk the stern in either direction. This is a huge advantage and 80% of the reason to have the CP in the first place! You can always rotate in either dorection, and pull the stern on or off the dock (or away from an obstruction) regardless of which way the boat is lying. Running a washer/drier on a 2400 watt inverter is no big deal. But you might want to run the engine at the same time to keep batteries up–unless you have a large battery bank. On BEOWULF, we frequently do one or two washes without the engine, but then she has 800 usable amp hours at 24 volts.- Steve
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
