propeller brake ?

[jobi]

my boat has no propeller brake, this means the propeller is constantly turning when the boat is in motion right?

if so then the bearings and bushings take a constant strain, what do you guys do about it?

[deniseO30]

Keep it in gear that simple

[priscilla]

What model transmission do you have? Usually if you put your gear shift lever in the opposite of your direction of travel the prop won"t spin. I shut my engine off with the gear in forward, then put it in neutral and it won't spin. I understand, except for the noise, the spinning prop won't do any harm anyway.

[sailingdog]

depends on the transmission. Some can clearly be damaged by the prop spinning, since they don't get the proper lubrication.

Originally Posted by priscilla

What model transmission do you have? Usually if you put your gear shift lever in the opposite of your direction of travel the prop won"t spin. I shut my engine off with the gear in forward, then put it in neutral and it won't spin. I understand, except for the noise, the spinning prop won't do any harm anyway.

[Gene T]

Actually not a simple answer. Depends on the engine/transmission. Some Yanmar manuals state that you should let it spin and that you can damage the transmission by putting it in reverse. Some state the opposite. I sailed on one boat that used a vice grips to lock the shaft with the two bladed prop in line with the keel. There is also a fancy locking device you can buy. If you have a folding or feathering prop you can safely put the engine in reverse. Anything else and you need to see what is recommended by the manufacturer.

Gene

[jobi]

il take the magnetic strap brack systhem from an old stationary bike.
should be an easy fix directly on the shaft from the inside.

[jerryrlitton]

Darn it, I know this has been talked about a lot, to ad nausium however I maintain there is more drag in a spinning prop, at least in the air. I do not mean feathering which is entirely different. I mean a fixed-pitch prop.

[sailingdog]

Jerry—

Maine Sail did a test... and no, there isn't, at least for a fixed prop on a boat.

[jerryrlitton]

Another drag test, here is a link that is pro your point.

http://www.catamaransite.com/propeller_drag_test.html

[SlowButSteady]

Originally Posted by jerryrlitton

... I maintain there is more drag in a spinning prop, at least in the air. I do not mean feathering which is entirely different. I mean a fixed-pitch prop.

It depends on the precise shape and pitch of the prop. It does work for helicopters with their rotors correctly pitched (and gyrocopters, and maple seeds, etc.). However, a boat prop would only create more drag when spinning IF there a concomitant increase in "lift" along the aft surface.