Choosing a new prop

[Chris Simenstad]

I'm seriously considering upgrading my prop, which is a two blade 12x6. My boat is an Ericson 32-2.

What considerations do I need to make before choosing a new prop? I was thinking of the Indigo three blade, mainly to get more RPMs in forward, and better thrust in reverse.

My boat is a cruiser, so I'm not worried to much about any speed loss under sail.

--Chris

[msauntry]

I've got the Indigo prop on my Alberg 35 and it does pretty well for such a large boat. Mine has a prop aperature in the keel, so it doesn't reverse in anything resembling a predictable manner, but that's not the prop's fault.

Power is great in forward and reverse.

[Charles Taylor]

I put the Indigo prop on my 1977 Ericson 32-2 about a year ago and it seems to work well. As the boat had a broken 2 blade plastic prop when I bought it, I have no real frame of reference.

Charles

[Dave Neptune]

Prop

I have an Ericson 35 Mk II, and installed an Indigo prop. It seems to do all that is claimed albeit at slightly higher RPM. I have used 4 different props over the years and the Indigo seems best although I have yet to have it in heavy weather. I also don't notice much drag from the prop either. I cruise at about 5.5 + and don't push much past that as it takes a lot more throttle to get to 6Kts. Any one else using the Indigo on a 35? The biggest differance is I can now back out of my slip instead of pushing by hand and hoping the bow gets around!

1970 # 146 E-35 Mk II
Dave Neptune

[msauntry]

Yep, my Alberg 35 is about the same size as your Ericson. Oddly enough, the first Ericson 35 used the old Pearson Alberg 35 hull with a different cabintop. The E35-2 is a much different creature, but from a prop's point of view both are pretty big boats. The Indigo prop is much better than the 13x8 two blade that was originally on my old Triton. The A4 never could spin that.
Maybe I'll turn that down to a 13x6 one of these days and try it just for kicks.
I took my boat to the Virgin Islands and back and the prop does fine in all conditions. The hull design does not cut through chop like more modern designs, so I do slow down a bit going into a head sea, but that isn't a prop issue. Those long overhangs mean that boats like mine start to hobby horse in a short chop, which kills our speed.

[blackdove]

What did you have to doto replace the prop

I also have an Alberg 35 and would like to replace the current two blade with the Indigo 3 blade prop but I'm not sure what this entails. Last time I replaced a prop on an Alberg 30, it entailed moving the engine forward, uncoupling the drive train and moving it forward and then installing the prop. I don't have room on the A 35 to move the engine forward, so...

Appreciate any thoughts on this . Thank you.

[sunnnnseeeker]

I don't understand why one would have the get into moving the engine to replace a prop?? My prop is simply bolted to the shaft, which is tappered where the prop seats on the shaft. The tapper assures the prop stays tight on the shaft. With the proper gear puller and a little heat (propane torch) on the old prop the old prop "popped" off. The new prop slides right on. Don't forget the key and make sure the prop size and shaft are a match. Tighten the bolts as tight as you can with good size wrenches.

[msauntry]

I also have an Alberg 35 and would like to replace the current two blade with the Indigo 3 blade prop but I'm not sure what this entails. Last time I replaced a prop on an Alberg 30, it entailed moving the engine forward, uncoupling the drive train and moving it forward and then installing the prop. I don't have room on the A 35 to move the engine forward, so...

Appreciate any thoughts on this . Thank you.

Hurray, another A35 owner! Haven't seen too many us around.
I think I see the issue you had on the A30. I imagine you couldn't get the rudder out of the way enough to get the three blade prop on. On a two blade its easy enough to get on and off becuase it needs less clearance past the rudder. Moving the shaft (and everything else) forward would enable you to put it in the aperature and then move the shaft back into it.
On my boat it was a straight swap, but it was close. Move the rudder hard over and you get the three blade Indigo prop to slide straight on. If you need more room, try lifting up the rudder out of its shoe and moving it off to one side. I've got enough room fore and aft between the prop and rudder post to put a tapered zinc on the end. Leaves maybe 3/4" but no clearance problems in the full swing of the rudder.

I'm quite pleased with the prop/engine combo. I've got a tiller, but if you've a wheel, consider undoing the cables to get every bit of movement so you can get the rudder completely over if you can't get the prop on.

[blackdove]

Thank you.

Appreciate the input on how to replace the prop on the Alberg 35. I'll use the approach you describe and let you know how it works.
Your are right...not too many of us around. I also kept the tiller so the cable issue won't affect me. Thanks again.

Gregg

[blackdove]

I don't understand why one would have the get into moving the engine to replace a prop?? My prop is simply bolted to the shaft, which is tappered where the prop seats on the shaft. The tapper assures the prop stays tight on the shaft. With the proper gear puller and a little heat (propane torch) on the old prop the old prop "popped" off. The new prop slides right on. Don't forget the key and make sure the prop size and shaft are a match. Tighten the bolts as tight as you can with good size wrenches.

The reason there is an issue is because the shaft and propeller are surrounded by the rudder aperature. The aperature is a tight fit to the prop opening under the best of circumstances. The response provided to my question explains the technique of installing the propeller better than I can. Thank you for the question.

[sunnnnseeeker]

Does the prop kick the water straight into the rudder? Isn't that a little inefficient? Maybe makes for tight turning when your not moving fast? Can you post a picture of this set-up? I'd like to see for my own education.

Thanks!

[MikeB.330]

Here's a picture of my Pearson Vanguard, it's the same as the A35.

[MikeB.330]

here's another showing a little bit of faring work.

[sunnnnseeeker]

I see the problem now - Thanks!