Folding propellor lock or not to lock

sailaboutvic

sailaboutvic

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I am getting conflict information if to lock my folding prop on an Volvo 120s saildive , so far I have spoken to six different Volvo dealers and it's 50/50 to lock it or not .
Although its folds or should I say the blades changes direction the gearbox can still be heard spinning .
Locking it in Rev don't Seen to work I guessing the cluch are slipping and in forward it become a problem to get it back in neutral before starting the engine .
So what the panel opinion, lock it or not ?
 
A conventional folding prop should only need to be locked for a second or two for it to fold.
Sounds like you have some sort of feathering prop?
 
I lock my Bruntons feathering prop. There is a strange phenomenon with my Yanmar gearbox: if I put it into reverse immediately it locks the prop. If I forget and do it after sailing for a while putting it in reverse has no effect but forward locks it. Whichever, the lever is now nearly impossible to move but the solution is simple. I just start the engine in whichever gear it is in, upon which the gear lever will move easily. It has been suggested previously that just turning the engine over briefly on the starter motor will free the gear lever but this is far more difficult to do with my engine (turn the key to start and simultaneously pull the stop button) so I never bother.
 
vyv_cox said:
I lock my Bruntons feathering prop. There is a strange phenomenon with my Yanmar gearbox: if I put it into reverse immediately it locks the prop. If I forget and do it after sailing for a while putting it in reverse has no effect but forward locks it. Whichever, the lever is now nearly impossible to move but the solution is simple. I just start the engine in whichever gear it is in, upon which the gear lever will move easily. It has been suggested previously that just turning the engine over briefly on the starter motor will free the gear lever but this is far more difficult to do with my engine (turn the key to start and simultaneously pull the stop button) so I never bother.
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Vyv is your an saildrive ? my is .
i cant under stand why Volvo cant give an answer to this , three of the dealers i spoke to said volvo recommend not to lock it , the other three say other wise .
 
vyv_cox said:
I lock my Bruntons feathering prop. There is a strange phenomenon with my Yanmar gearbox: if I put it into reverse immediately it locks the prop. If I forget and do it after sailing for a while putting it in reverse has no effect but forward locks it. Whichever, the lever is now nearly impossible to move but the solution is simple. I just start the engine in whichever gear it is in, upon which the gear lever will move easily. It has been suggested previously that just turning the engine over briefly on the starter motor will free the gear lever but this is far more difficult to do with my engine (turn the key to start and simultaneously pull the stop button) so I never bother.
Click to expand...

Newer VP engines have a neutral lock and can't be started in gear.
 
sailaboutvic said:
I am getting conflict information if to lock my folding prop on an Volvo 120s saildive , so far I have spoken to six different Volvo dealers and it's 50/50 to lock it or not .
Click to expand...

In the Operator Manual for most VP engines, there's an instruction to select reverse when sailing with a folding prop.
 
Hi Vic. My feathering MaxProp is on a shaft. In a whole 3 times of use so far I put it into reverse for a couple of seconds then back into neutral and the prop feathers.
 
Tryed that and it don't work , I also try putting it in Rev before I stop the engine and then neutral then stop , I still don't work , I have a feeling it might be the Rev clutch playing up , but I still need an answer it to put it in Gear or not .
 
To make it feather you need to stop it rotating. Therefore, you need to lock it in gear.
I have a saildrive (120 I think but not sure without checking)on an MD2020 & always lock the drive as recommended by Brunton's MD when he fitted it.
If you think about it, a fixed prop would put a strain on the clutch of a saildrive if locked because as the boat travels the shape of the prop wants to turn it & that puts strain on a clutch.
However, once a Brunton is feathered, there is far less strain; as demonstrated by the fact that the boat will sail faster with a locked feathered prop than a rotating one.
My theory, but someone will come along & offer an alternative . You just have to decide what one to believe
 
Daydream believer said:
If you think about it, a fixed prop would put a strain on the clutch of a saildrive if locked because as the boat travels the shape of the prop wants to turn it & that puts strain on a clutch.
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But I don't think it would cause any excess wear or damage, otherwise Volvo Penta wouldn't recommend putting a fixed prop into reverse when sailing.
 
pvb said:
But I don't think it would cause any excess wear or damage, otherwise Volvo Penta wouldn't recommend putting a fixed prop into reverse when sailing.
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In my manual they say leave out of gear & let it freewheel. But I understand that advice from the manufacturers changes & some manuals says differently, depending on saildrive model & manufacturing date
 
Can we confirm that the OP has an Autoprop?

If so, it must be stopped from rotating when sailing, otherwise the blades will not go into the "no drag" mode. I suspect that the model of gearbox determines the method. With my MD22, when wanting to go from motoring to sailing, I put the engine in tick-over astern before stopping. Immediately after stopping, I push the gear/speed lever forward, and it won't go all the way into ahead. The shaft is now locked, and the engine has to be started in gear. Other gearboxes may operate differently.
 
pvb said:
But I don't think it would cause any excess wear or damage, otherwise Volvo Penta wouldn't recommend putting a fixed prop into reverse when sailing.
Click to expand...

Well this is the problem half the Volvo dealers I ask have said one thing the other half another , which one is it , and why does mine not lock when in Rev ?
 
NormanS said:
Can we confirm that the OP has an Autoprop?

If so, it must be stopped from rotating when sailing, otherwise the blades will not go into the "no drag" mode. I suspect that the model of gearbox determines the method. With my MD22, when wanting to go from motoring to sailing, I put the engine in tick-over astern before stopping. Immediately after stopping, I push the gear/speed lever forward, and it won't go all the way into ahead. The shaft is now locked, and the engine has to be started in gear. Other gearboxes may operate differently.
Click to expand...

Yes it is an autoprop .
I tryed your way Norman but it still won't lock in Rev and if I push it forward once stop , it a problem to get it out of gear when I go to start the engine
 
Just a long shot but:-
Does the problem happen when the boat is moving, or not moving through the water?
Can one assume that you have greased the blades regularly & that they are free to rotate. Are they free of weed?
They should flop down on their own when the hub is horizontal.
If not, you may have a sticking set of blades that are staying set & are applying pressure to the shaft. Making it difficult to release the gear.
 
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