Spring Projects

[preserved_killick]

I'm about to launch for the season and thought I'd post a few pictures of some spring projects I've completed.

The first is a small project but one that I'm sure will significantly add to my sailing enjoyment:

A Plastic Classic inspired Pot Warp deflector! For this I used some frp scraps from another project. No more diving! I'm sure I'll loose at least .008 knts from the drag but I don't care.

Next is a new cutlass bearing, which turned into a new shaft, coupling and prop.


Old setup:


Having everything apart let me replace the stuffing box hose which looked ragged.

When I had the shaft and prop out, I began looking at the prop, which appeared quite pink from zinc loss. The prop was large, less than a half inch clearance from the tip of the blade to the hull. Also, the prop to shaft mating surfaces were odd in that the prop hub taper was stepped inside, only a third of the hub touched the shaft. The guys at NE prop suggested that the prop looks like it was originally a larger prop cut down and re-tapered to fit a smaller shaft. So, I sprung for a new Campbell Sailer prop. I hope it lives up to the reviews. I laughed when it arrived, so much smaller than the old prop. New issue: the new prop fit poorly on the old shaft. After measuring the old shaft I discovered that the taper was non-standard, no way the new hub would fit properly. Great. I ordered a Aquamet 22 shaft from NE prop. They were great to work with and had my shaft built and shipped to me in 48 hours.

Putting things back together I was delighted in the ease of aligning the new coupling to the transmission. The prior system was a Vetus flexible coupling that was very difficult to align:


One thing that does bother me is the ID of the shaft log. I measured the shaft log to be 1 1/16 ID, for a 7/8 shaft that's not much room!

I console myself with the thought that It had been like that for years and the shaft had no scoring, and after consulting the Alberg mailing list this does not appear to be a problem. Still, I'll be always listening for that metal-on-metal sound as the prop is turning.

With the boat in the water by Wednesday, I'm hoping for some returns on my efforts.

-jeff

[Tim]

Nice AWABS.

[preserved_killick]

AWABS?

Are you talking about my massive prop nut zinc? It's the only system that I could find that fits. This camp zinc has a brass washer inside that goes between the two nuts. Like a big bagel it covers both with just enough room to get the cotter pin on the back.

[Tim]

No, your clamps.

[Ric in Richmond]

You don't by any chance have the part number for that zinc do you?

I couldn't find one last haul out so I am am zinc less. I do clip a massive zinc fish to the prop while stationary so I am not too worried about it.

Only thing missing to make the AWABS more perfect is tips:


http://clamp-aid.com/Packaging%20options%20page.htm

[preserved_killick]

Oh! I had a brain fart. AWABS is an acronym that's used for aircraft.

Something interesting on hoseclamps. Last year the Coast Guard station in Boothbay had an open house, it was a drizzly rainy morning so we went for the tour. I got to check out their big rescue boat. The engines were huge, and absolutely spotless. One thing I noticed is that the many many hoseclamps were the perforated type. It appeared that they just replace everything regularly.

[preserved_killick]

Ric,

Camp Propeller Nut Zinc Patent #259811

http://www.bottompaintstore.com/P-2-Pro ... 11-P-2.htm
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4391567.pdf

-jeff

[barrybrown]

Jeff;

I used the Campbell on my last boat and liked it enough to put one on this boat, considerably less drag and better performance under power, down side is that it tends to foul a little more after the first year which makes me curious about treatments like 'prop-speed'. Also the blade tips set a little farther aft than a standard prop and on the triton they will hit the rudder when hard over, worth checking while the boat is out of the water if you haven't already.

Barry

[Rachel]

I've seen good results (on a number of boats) with Prop Speed - especially if the boat leaves the slip or mooring fairly often.

[Shoalcove]

Looks nice! I just put on a Campbell Sailor this year with the new engine and am looking forward to seeing how it works out. Mine is much smaller than the old prop so should be good under sail. I only have 2 hours on the engine so there's no time to form much of an opinion yet except I cruise quicker than I expected. I'll have to get some photos.
The line guard is a nice touch!
Best regards,
David

[preserved_killick]

I spoke with Norm at West by North West (guy who sold the the prop) about the coating and he recommended to use Pettit Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier once his coating wears off. I'm not so sure I'll worry about it. Last season, my first, we had no fouling to speak of. The mooring is near a dam that releases fresh water so the boat sits in somewhat brackish water. Not sure if that is the reason but there's very little barnacle, rockweed or muscle growth in our little corner of the harbor.

Or I just got lucky last season.

-Jeff