[bolger] lugging prop for Honda
I used a Honda 7.5 hp on which I fitted a low-pitch "elephant ear" prop
(looked very much like the Yamaha props, large lobate blades) on my 36 foot
teak-hulled boat and it worked very well. The prop was not an official Honda
one, however. I don't remember the name on the box, but it was an
aftermarket product, and I believe the company made props for all sorts of
brands. The low pitch allowed the revs to get up to normal speed despite the
boat only going 6 knots, and kept the engine happy and cool-running. The
added thrust of the new prop was quite remarkable.
As for stopping the boat whilst charging for the dock, I developed a simple
strategy: turn the vessel around, engage reverse and simply "pull" the boat
backwards into the spot you want. To do this gracefully, it helps if the
motor is connected to an outboard rudder like mine was, then it is
steerable, and you can pull the stern any direction, which is a real boon.
With the motor and tiller hard over together, it was like having a
stern-thruster.
It takes a little longer to get up full steam, but you would likely be
moving the boat only a boatlength or two anyhow, so it matters little if you
don't get up much speed. When you are ready to stop, go into forward gear
and give your blast of thrust. This saves the most efficient/powerful gear
(forward, of course) for when you really need it.
After a summer of putting through the gulf islands using this setup, I was a
definite convert to four-stroke outboard power for cruising.
Alex Christie
Gabriola Island, BC
FYI See the boatbuilding school I attend:
www.boatschool.com
(looked very much like the Yamaha props, large lobate blades) on my 36 foot
teak-hulled boat and it worked very well. The prop was not an official Honda
one, however. I don't remember the name on the box, but it was an
aftermarket product, and I believe the company made props for all sorts of
brands. The low pitch allowed the revs to get up to normal speed despite the
boat only going 6 knots, and kept the engine happy and cool-running. The
added thrust of the new prop was quite remarkable.
As for stopping the boat whilst charging for the dock, I developed a simple
strategy: turn the vessel around, engage reverse and simply "pull" the boat
backwards into the spot you want. To do this gracefully, it helps if the
motor is connected to an outboard rudder like mine was, then it is
steerable, and you can pull the stern any direction, which is a real boon.
With the motor and tiller hard over together, it was like having a
stern-thruster.
It takes a little longer to get up full steam, but you would likely be
moving the boat only a boatlength or two anyhow, so it matters little if you
don't get up much speed. When you are ready to stop, go into forward gear
and give your blast of thrust. This saves the most efficient/powerful gear
(forward, of course) for when you really need it.
After a summer of putting through the gulf islands using this setup, I was a
definite convert to four-stroke outboard power for cruising.
Alex Christie
Gabriola Island, BC
FYI See the boatbuilding school I attend:
www.boatschool.com