Starlight 35 owners

[Bosun Higgs]

I'm having prop vibration problems so I wondered what prop other Starlight owners had and whether they were suffering vibration when going forward and putting the engine into reverse to stop the boat.

See here

 

[Sans Bateau]

I know Galadriel isnt a Starlight, but a folding prop is a folding prop. If we are moving at any speed and I go into neutral, then into reverse with a 'stopping' blast of throttle, we too get a vibration. The prop is Volvo on a saildrive, I have always put it down to either or a combination of, once the drive to the prop stops, the forward motion of the boat will try to close the prop. Once reverse is selected and power put on, the prop will start to open, but the water flow is still trying to close it, with forward thrust the prop will push against the stops, it has no stops in reverse. If one of the blades opens slower than the other, then you get the vibration. Or, the flow of water from the prop when it provides reverse thrust is pushing against a flow of water from the opposite direction, does this cause cavitation and hence vibration?

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Initially I thought the same thing then Snooks of this parish suggested shaft log issues and indeed the boat that YM used in the tests had a log. Or it could be cavitation!

Who knows - so a new prop is a £1500 gamble unless I can find a Starlight owner with a different prop and no problem.

 

[West Coast]

I have a Starlight 35 which has almost no vibration - but mine uniquely has a volvo saildrive so this does not help you much!

Ditch your current engine, cut a big hole and fit an engine with a saildrive - works brilliantly

Having said that, mine is just put back together after the disastrous lift out error by the yard (aft lifting strop over the drive leg) - so hopefully still vibration free.......

 

[Seven Spades]

I have a Starlight 39 with a Kiwi prop and no virbration.