Indigo Prop

[hd78half]

Just installed the Indigo 3-blade prop on my Pearson 35. This is a full keel boat with an A-4 with the prop in the opening between the keel and rudder. The previous 2-blade prop had lots of prop wash, non-existent reverse directional control, and was hard to manually and auto-pilot steer in forward. The new prop is like night and day compared to the old one. In forward, the propulsion is smoother, the helm light, and the auto pilot rock solid. In reverse there is significantly more control.

There is a lot of stray AC current in our marina so I installed an electronic galvanic isolator to help protect the prop.

Al Lankford
SV Wanderer

[67c&ccorv]

Exactly what I found with my C&C Corvette and I too used a galvanic isolator.

[High Hopes]

I wonder if I can justify the expense for a new prop on my Sabre 28 which is a much lighter craft with a fin keel. I easily get to hull speed, so there might not be much of a need.

[67c&ccorv]

Speed wasn't my issue...low speed manouvering was. For the price, I think the improvement was worth the expense.

[High Hopes]

Ah, got it. I am trying to get the engine to rev faster at cruising speed.

[Trysail]

Ah, got it. I am trying to get the engine to rev faster at cruising speed.

It might do the trick but don't expect miracles. I picked up 2-3 hundred RPM. Using reverse to stop seems to work better and I have reduced, but not eliminated, prop walk.

[Dave Neptune]

The prop

Gentlemen I agree with all the above. I have the Indigo insatlled on a 35 foot sail and it made a huge differance in performance overall. I'm a bit faster and the lil beastie below the deck is much happier and not as thirsty.

Have fun!
Dave Neptune

[Vermonter]

Indigo Prop - reversing power not so hot?

I just mounted the Indigo and love the smoothness and touch of extra speed in forward, but haven't seen any improvement in reversing power. I have a Tartan T34c which is a pretty full keel so I am not expecting much. I am measuring about 100 lbs pull in reverse (stationary, at high revs) using a Dillon dynomometer which is slightly less than my 12x9 folding prop. That was a surprise. I might be getting some slip in my old A4 tranny, I don't know. Has anyone else measured the pull they are getting with this prop?

[sastanley]

Vermonter...remember that the reversing gear is 'geared down' in reverse...To get similar thrust from your forward RPM numbers, you need 1.5??? times the RPM in reverse.

When I shift into reverse, I run her up to 2,500-2,800 RPM and get the boat going...then you can ease off the throttle and continue to move aft with steering.

This past weekend, I had my first 'backing with wind into a slip' experience with my new Indigo prop. Using the above technique and starting about 4 boatlengths away, even my twin screw powerboating friends were impressed!