[C320-list] Martec prop

[LOCALJG at aol.com]

Good info on the Martec Steve.  Thanks.  A Martec three bladed  prop came 
with my 320 but during the initial pre-purchase haul out and  inspection, the 
inspector found the propeller shaft was not true and the cutlass  bearing 
needed replacing.  I replaced the Martec with the stock three  bladed fixed 
prop that originally came with the boat from the  factory.  I haven't as yet 
placed the Martec back on the boat.  Before  I do I wanted to find out if I 
needed to get a stainless steel shaft?  
 
All the things you said about the prop appear to be true.  It is  
definitely one heavy piece of gear.  I am still debating whether to place  the Martec 
back on my 320?  
 
Perhaps a folding 3 bladed prop would be better?  
 
John
Dreamtime #329 
 
 
In a message dated 8/21/2011 4:22:28 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
stord at cox.net writes:

Denny,
Sorry to take so long to reply.

When we bought our  2000 320 it had a two blade fixed prop.  While forward
performance was  okay, performance in reverse lacked significantly.  We were
also  interested in racing our boat.   With those two factors in mind,  we
bought a used Martec Autostream 3 blade feathering prop at a  slight
discount.  We've enjoyed it. IMO, it had much better  performance in reverse
with less prop walk.  We also reduced drag  which helped when racing.   The
downside is that it's a heavy  piece of metal on the end of your prop shaft.
We've replaced the cutlass  bearing once so far.  Was that a result of the
Martec?  I don't  know, but it is heavy.  If your shaft isn't perfectly
aligned, you  will feel it. We've also replaced our OEM shaft with a
stainless one.   It's  just stronger given the weight of the prop.
Maintenance for our  prop has been easy.  The zinc is easy to change and 
I've
done it in  the water.  Lubrication is also easy with a simple fitting that 
 a
grease gun can engage to lubricate all of the internal gears.  The  only
issue is how long the O-rings at the props will last in salt  water.  We've
had these ones on for approximately five years and will  be looking at them
very hard next spring when we haul the boat.   Changing the O-rings isn't
difficult, just messy given that you've got to  disassemble the back of the
prop to do it which releases all of the  internal grease.

While we like our Martec prop, I've often wondered if  we might have been
better off with a 3 blade folding prop versus the 3  blade feathering prop
given the difference in weight and internal  gearing.

Steve
s/v Joy  756



-----Original  Message-----
From:  c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com]  On Behalf Of Denny Browne
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2011 12:36 AM
To:  C320 List
Subject: [C320-list] Martec prop

Can't afford an Autoprop  but hate my 3 blade fixed. Except pulling into the
slip too fast, then I  like it a lot. 

But have any of you switched to the Martec? Comments?  Sorry for the old
topic. 

Thanks,

Denny Browne
A Cappella  #935
Redondo Beach

Sent from handheld, sorry for typos, grammar,  etc...