Agreed. My Luke prop has the exact configuration of a fixed prop
when in fwd or rev. No degradation in reverse. Feathers well too.

Doug

"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
x-no-archive:yes "Doug Dotson" wrote:

The Luke is nice because its geometry is pretty much identical
to a fixed prop in fwd and rev. No poor performance in
rev like some feathering or folding props.

I don't know what makes this so difficult for people to understand,
but feathering props are NOT poor performers in reverse. Quite the
opposite.

"Jere Lull" wrote in message
.. .
Lloyd Sumpter wrote:

On Mon, 20 Oct 2003 00:45:25 +0000, Jere Lull wrote:


Yes, they're expensive, but our 3 blade MaxProp is nearly as
efficient
as a 2-blade Michigan Wheel, reverse is MUCH, MUCH better and we gain
a
full knot under sail under many conditions. We got the one that can
be
adjusted (out of the water), so it's slightly adjustable.




Well, for virtually 1/2 the price of the new engine, they'd better
walk
the dog, paint the boat, fix the head, give me sexual satisfaction and
go
out and get beer and pizza afterwards!

I'm leaning towards a $500 fixed 3-blade now, either the Campbell
Sailor or the MI Wheel "Sailor" line.


The improvement in reverse alone may be worth the cost. I saw a 40'
Catalina try to back in about a month ago and its prop walk was the
worst I've seen in any boat. I think I could have done a bit better
than
the renter (used to a smaller performance sailboat), but that's because
I've intentionally learned how to use walk and know when to punch it
and
quickly slip into neutral.

Imagine having nearly full thrust in reverse if/when you run aground.
Being able to get off quickly might save enough of your energy for
everything else.

BTW, we paid about $2k for our MaxProp just over a year ago. A few
minutes after I paid for ours, I chatted with a Catalina 38 owner that
got the exact same prop (16" 3 blade). [That's the largest prop they'd
sell me; we could fit a 20" with our clearance and would have gotten
one
if they'd let us -- I'm of the bigger-prop-is-better crowd.] The $1500
differential (possibly less with a Catalina 36) isn't 1/2 the price of
the new engine.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/



grandma Rosalie