Propeller Upgrade

[Captain Kirk]

I've had Sand Dollar for about 10 years now and have made do with the 2 blade (15x10 -I believe) but its time to upgrade.

I want to stick with a fixed prop. I have had, in the past on my C320 both a 3 blade fixed that came with boat and then a Kiwi 3 blade feathering prop.

I'm mostly considering another fixed blade but a 3 blade this time. This existing 2 blade cavitates terribly when pounding into big seas. The speed drops to 1 -2 knots in some extreme instances. Yes I do usually fall off and motor sail but sometimes i just tough it out.

I've looked at a few options and would like to get some feedback from other owners.

We use the boat on shorter trips for several 1- week cruises in the spring, then in late June we go out until Labor Day. So lots of goods times on the boat - love the 350!

[russp]

Hi Kirk,

Since you have had a Kiwi you know all about them but I have found them fantastic. Added about 0.5 kt under sail, very powerful reverse, and after about a decade of use and recent 5 years of neglect, was easy to clean up, re-lubricate, and it is still working perfectly. Infinitely better than the 2 blade fixed my 350 came with.

Regards

[cuthbert]

I think I had the original 15x10?? (3 blade) on the boat and about 6-7 years ago changed to the upgrade/revised Catalina recommended 14x9RH 3 blade which I think has its own thread here. I only did this after the original "pinked" (variability of bottom cleaners and zinc replacement is a totally different subject).
I looked long and hard at folding props, but the general consensus seems to be unless you are a racer or similar the cost let alone the upkeep (bottom cleaning again and general maintenance) it's just not worth it. My most common trip is Catalina and back towing a dinghy. Nearly all the time it's a beam reach and the drag of a flat bottom dinghy is unnoticeable to me under sail, It feels like I'm zipping along in 12-16kts of wind with about the same speed with/without the dinghy, so I imagine the benefit of more speed with a folding prop may be there but for me as a once a year racer, not so.

I just changed over to a Highfield dinghy with an aluminum keel, slightly more weight perhaps a slight increase in drag but again when sailing I don't see it being a difference.

When I'm coming into my slip towing vs non towing at very low speed the point at which I go to idle and coast in changes, so there is obviously a measurable difference of drag that I'm sure shows up with the folding prop in the same way. So, you pay your money and make your choice. I bought my prop from

The Prop Shop
3610 South Rd #100
Mukilteo, WA 98275

They seemed the best around when I shopped.

[JohnNorton]

I just lost my rudder- it simply fell off !! Reading about this many sources say something to watch out for is a "pinkish" or unusually colored deposit on a propeller. This will most likely be from stray current of any source which in turn causes the rudder post to act like an anode, releasing metal into the water- degrading the rudder post until....well, my rudder is gone. Conclusion- A PROP SHOULD NEVER LIIK "PINKISH".

[Olivia Mae]

We have a sailor M 14 10 3 blade. Works well for us.

[Captain Kirk]

Thanks for the great input! I'm probably going to go with a 3 blade fixed prop. Looking at a few different prop options to narrow it down before spring.

[Captain Kirk]

Hello all.

I'm looking to buy a West by North 3 blade fixed prop. The one piece of data I don't have with me is the Gearbox ratio. I recall that it is a Hurth 100 which was the standard supply in a 2003 C350.... again as I recall.

If anyone has the ratio info please forward it - it will save a me a trip to the boat.


On a different subject, with new owners and new Bridge personal I'll be renewing my membership in January.

Thanks

[russp]

Thanks re Renewal Kirk, we are still getting our act together so can't advise payment amount or timing yet, but plan is still to let members know that website will be set to take payments from Jan 1 and membership will be on a calendar year to simplify for everyone.

Russ

[russp]

Just found image of the plate from my 2003 gearbox.
ZF 15 MA
A = 1.38 (as best as I can tell although doc on web suggests could be 1.88)
B = 1.95
P/N 11416 M
Serial # 3306001004 (can't read it, but guessing this number must be serial number)

[TBOT422]

As Russ noted, there is a plate on the transmission. Our plate on a 2007 hull #422 shows:

Transmission: Hurth ZF 15MA (HBW 150A) P/N 3306001004 S/N 41625
Capacity: 0.50 qt = 2 cups (Dexron II or III)
Fwd. Gear Ratio = 1.875:1
Reverse Gear Ratio = 1.955:1
Prop. Shaft Rotation = Right Hand

I have always liked the name of your boat, Sand Dollar. That was the name of our accounting firm we started in 2001, Sand Dollar Services, Inc. Sold and retired to collect sand dollars from the beach at Anclote Key near Tarpon Springs, FL. in 2019.

[Monty]

I have a 2007 C350. With a ZF-15-MA transmission. A= 1088. B =1.95. P/N 3306001004. I have the original three prop propellor unused if you are interested in it, I will sell and can ship to you. Steve Montgomery, s/v Salty. Deltaville, VA 757-561-7289. monty1221@icloud.com

[Captain Kirk]

Hi Monty

Do you recall the diameter and pitch of your 3 blade prop. Is it one of the upgraded Michigan props that is chronicled in lots of earlier discussions?
Is it a 15/10 or ??

I would be interested to buy your prop if it is the newer (replacement) version that Catalina was switching to after some prop issues with the early 350s delivered.

Thanks!

[Monty]

just got back in town....will measure it tomorrow and send pictures. Steve

[Monty]

what's your email....there will be 4-5 pictures and as I recall, this sight doesn't do pictures very well.