Posted by Dan Lind on September 21, 2006 at 18:04:42 from 70.69.183.186 user captain.
In Reply to: Re: The Goblin's Running Gear posted by Paul on September 20, 2006 at 09:49:07:
I agree that a transmission should be shifted into reverse while sailing.
I ran my 26' sloop with a regular three blade prop, and a two blade folding. It made no noticeable difference whether or not the two blade folding prop was allowed to spin or be locked while sailing.
But, one of the folding prop's blades dropped off, so I reinstalled the three blade fixed. One could easily feel the braking when the free-wheeling prop was stopped by shifting into reverse.
On my 35' cutter, the difference was also very noticeable, and by using the GPS, measureable as having the propeller locked slowed the boat by about half a knot at six knot cruise. Since it didn't go very fast anyway, it didn't matter: I was more concerned about wear and tear than speed.