[C320-list] Reverse or neutral transmission while sailing

[Graeme Clark]

I don’t know anything about boat propellers but I do know that a fixed pitch aircraft propellor on a shut down engine produces less drag when windmilling than when stopped. It’s counterintuitive because when it turns it seems you’re getting work out of the system but tests have shown this to be the case.
If (a big if) the same holds true for water, then there’s no advantage to preventing it from turning and if the engine maker says let it turn then why buck the system?
Graeme
#366, 1996

Sent from my iPad

> On 29 Oct 2021, at 22:21, Richard Walker <dickwalker at att.net> wrote:
> 
> I love the autoprop.  Bye the way you leave that prop in gear so that it will feather.  Had one for 21 years and no problems.
> 
> 
> Dick Walker
> WindWalker II #687
> 740 Olive Ave.
> Coronado, CA 92118
> 619.435.8986
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Jerry's Iphone
> Sent: Friday, October 29, 2021 1:39 PM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Cc: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Reverse or neutral transmission while sailing
> 
> Kind of related….
> 
> Which prop is best for eliminating prop walk?
> 
> Jerry
> JellyRoll   #890
> 
>> On Oct 29, 2021, at 3:11 PM, Doug Treff <doug at treff.us> wrote:
>> 
>> Everyone who is saying neutral is correct. The bulletin addresses why this is important.
>> 
>> The only exception is for those people who have folding or feathering props. They need to lock in reverse to get the prop to fold.
>> 
>> --
>> Doug Treff
>> doug at treff.us
>> 
>>>> On Fri, Oct 29, 2021, at 11:11 AM, Kim Chapman wrote:
>>> As a new C320 owner I am wondering if there is a consensus as to
>>>  whether to shift the transmission to reverse while under sail or just
>>>  leave it in neutral and let it spin. I have a two-blade fixed prop
>>>  which I believe is from the factory.
>>> 
>>>  Thanks !
>>> 
>>>  Kim Chapman
>>>  C320 #416
>>>  No Problem
>>>  C400 #249
>>>  Quiescence
>