{"id":1261,"date":"1999-11-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"1999-11-30T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/?p=1261"},"modified":"2015-10-16T12:12:30","modified_gmt":"2015-10-16T17:12:30","slug":"autoprop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/autoprop\/","title":{"rendered":"Autoprop"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I am thinking of changing my fixed three-bladed prop for something that causes less drag. The Autoprop from Brunton’s Propellers seems very interesting. What do you know about it? P.S. Your Encyclopedia is a fantastic source of knowledge!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Hi Ulf: We have no direct experience with the Autprop. However, have heard mostly good things about them. The fact that the blades are twisted (rather than symmetrical as with a Max Prop) means they should be pretty efficient under power. There have been two complaints however. One is that these are somewhat noisy. Two, with a lot of motoring there tends to be bearing wear within the prop. If you go this route, let us know how it works out. Regards–Steve<\/p>\n

A Reader adds:<\/p>\n

Reading the comments on props–I can probably advise on the Autoprop, having had one of the early versions for 8 years, doing between 150-200 hours a season. It is far more efficient than the fixed 2-blader I had before that and has added nearly 20% to sailing speeds. It is also a lot more slippery than the 2-blade Gori before the fixed prop. Still water, under power, 7.2 knots on 29’8″ LWL, boat weight about 7500 lbs, with a Yanmar 2GM20, about 1.3x displacement speed. The greatest positive point is being able to motorsail in light airs with the engine at 1\/3 revs and getting 6 knots out of 5 knots true wind. Gasoil usage, overall, about 1.5 litre\/hr. For the first time, this winter, I adjusted up the blade bearings, which were showing about 1.5-2.0mm play at the tips.<\/p>\n

Disadvantages:<\/p>\n

1. Noise when you first get into gear. 2. Accelerated cutlass bearing wear (it’s a lot heavier than either the other two props). 3. Much higher anodic wear (the boss is aluminium-bronze, which makes for quite a couple) Until you’re used to it–there’s a delay before reverse starts to bite–the immediate reaction is to turn on more revs. Don’t, you’ll have the poor crew on the foredeck over the pulpit as the boat leaps backwards.<\/p>\n

I’d certainly recommend any serious cruiser getting one–though in high-fouling areas you need to give a burst forward\/reverse before casting off, to free-up the blades.<\/p>\n

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