Mike,
Several people on the list have retired their Martec props for the very reason you cite: very poor reverse performance. Many have changed to 2 blade Flex-O-Fold geared props and the difference in reverse is dramatic. Take a look at a prop test article from Yachting Monthly in the UK that Flex-O-Fold posted on their website at this link: http://www.flexofold.com/upload_dir/docs/Test_YachtingMonthly_low.pdf The Gori did not rank very well. I believe everyone who has switched to a Flex prop has been happy, once they get the pitch correct. I was initially spec'ed a 16 Diameter x 13 Pitch to replace a 16 x 14 Martec,. That was too much pitch and was getting severe cavitation / vibration. Now I have a 16 x 12 with better performance and very little vibration. Brian From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Hoyt, Mike via CnC-List Sent: Monday, October 24, 2016 8:51 AM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Cc: Hoyt, Mike <mike.h...@impgroup.com> Subject: Re: Stus-List Slip Choice, backing in As Rob knows I back in all the time as my preferred method of docking. On the frers 33 the shaft I centered and the prop is RH so there is some prop walk to port in reverse but it is not pronounced. The biggest issues are visibility and the lack of bite of the prop when shifting from forward to reverse. If I am travelling at three knots forward and then shift to reverse it takes well over 30 seconds for the boat to slow to a stop and then start moving backward. Meanwhile the bow will blow all over the place. This makes coming in bow first to a slip a bit problematic if moving at any speed since reverse really dow not put on the brakes for me. The prop is a Martec elliptical folding prop. The problem with visibility is that these older designs tend to have a very beamy boat midships and much narrower transom. This makes helmsman lose sight of dock edge as we get close. On top of that if sailing with a crew they are very hard to see through. Like many others here I put the boat in reverse at the end of the marina system and then back the entire way in to my slip. I will also be at idle and go in and out of reverse as we get close. I stand to the side of the wheel and drive it just like a car which has the turning wheels on the front. Once the boat is in place a very short burst of fwd stops the boat. It is simple and very easy. Most problems with docking are after the boat is lying right alongside when someone pulls the bow in too soon or too late etc . but that is minor One question that I have been wondering is how much difference would a geared prop make for initial bite in reverse. Someone mentioned that it was very good with a Gori but I would think that not much difference than a Martec. Mike Persistence. Done for the season Halifax, NS
_______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
