Indigo Prop on 36 Pearson

[bigal]

I'm looking to change the 2 blade folding prop on a 36' Pearson circa 1974 with an A4 and after reading posts on this site, think I will get an Indigo 10" prop. When I look at the folding prop (can't find any ID on it), it appears that 2 cotter pins have to be removed to remove the pin that the 2 blades swivel on, then remove the pin and blades. I can't see how the remaining hub is fastened to the shaft, but there is another cotter pin that extends thru the hub that must secure the nut that is fastens the hub to the shaft. Is this correct? How hard is it to remove that 2 blade prop hub?

Thanks for any information.

[Loki9]

My folding prop is held on by a nut that doesn't look like a nut. It's cylindrical and has a square hole in the top. The square hole fits a 3/8" drive ratchet wrench. There is also a cotter pin that passes through the hub and secures the nut. To remove the prop, I'd remove the blades, the central cotter pin, and then the nut. At this point I'd try tapping on the hub with a mallet, but I really wouldn't expect it to come loose without using a puller.

[bigal]

Yes, that was the same as ours, came off pretty easily (didn't require heat). I found out one trick in removing the hub with a 3 jaw gear puller; if you have a worn zinc on your propeller shaft, leave it on and use a pipe wrench on it to hold the shaft in place when using the gear puller. It worked great and didn't mar the shaft.

[67c&ccorv]

How about some pics of that Pearson when you are done?

[bigal]

I will post some pics after the new prop is installed. My question now is do you guys think the Indigo 10" prop will power the Pearson 36 at 13 tons net weight?

[ndutton]

I don't recall, is the Pearson 36 powered with a direct drive or reduction gear?

[ArtJ]

The Indigo prop was designed on the Tartan 34 C a 34.5 ft
11500 lb sailboat. It pushes it fine. I own a Tartan 34 c personally and
can reach 6.6 knots at 2400 rpm. It is, I believe designed for a direct
drive engine. Many people have used it on other sailboats. I don't know
the specs of your boat, but suggest you contact Indigo if you have
further questions.

Regards

[bigal]

The installation in our Pearson 36 is a direct drive

[ndutton]

That surprises me. A boat that size and weight I expected a reduction gear.

[ArtJ]

PEARSON 36 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com
sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=1968


I found this link. It specifies the Pearson 36 as 13000 lbs displacement.

[ndutton]

The Alan Gurney designed Islander 36 sloop was 13,450# displacement and as best as I recall A-4 powered models had a reduction gear with a huge prop. It's from that experience I based my incorrect expectation on bigal's Pearson.

Where I was headed was if he had the reduction gear the Indigo prop was a no-go.

[bigal]

Here are some pictures of the Indigo prop installed on our 36 Pearson:

[Dave Neptune]

Like mine.

Bigal, our boats are of similar weight and size. I have a 1970 E35 MkII that is loaded for cruising with the family and dog, I also tow a 10 foot glass r5owing dinghy whenever heading to the island. I have been using the Indigo for quite a few years now and love it. I tried many props and configurations and when the Indigo went on it stayed. I will say it did take a bit of getting myself adjusted to the ease at which the RPM's rise over the entire range. The part that takes getting adjusted to is that speed will be slower at a given RPM, it is the extended range of RPM's that creates the advantage the prop provides. You may need to make a few adjustments to your "tune" as the engine will not be lugging which is far more previlant on the larger boats with the direct drive.

Dave Neptune

[bigal]

Thanks for the message, I am very apprehensive about the performance with this prop, it does seem very small. We did lug with the 2 blade, but it was a folding prop which had very little drag under sail. We don't race at all and for cruising I'm hoping this will work as well as yours has.

[67c&ccorv]

Yes, the diameter is smaller...but you have an extra wing compared with a 2-blade prop.

I don't think you will have any problems - just make sure to follow Indigo's instructions to the letter.