Gordon J
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2015
- Messages
- 1,082
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Didi Mau
- Vessel Make
- Currently looking for next boat
Spare Props, who needs em?
My recently purchased Ocean Alexander 456 Classico came with two new pare props. Both of these 29-inch props are stored in the V berth, under a bunk within a couple inches of the anchor locker.
My boat is out of trim, bow to stern by 4 - 6 inches - the bow is too low. OA tells me all their boats were built to sit properly with all tanks full and that no additional ballast should be required. The previous owner installed a bow thruster, which does not add so much weight as it reduces buoyancy. Along with the props, which I recon weigh 80 pounds each (or perhaps more) I have another 100 pounds of spares. With bow thrusters and batteries/charger I probably have an additional 350 pounds forward.
Because this is so far forward, in the narrowest part of the boat, I figure the additional weight is contributing to my bad attitude. Other contributory things include an additional genset installed just forward of mid ship and two ACs in the fly bridge under the helm, along with a second Ice maker.
So finally to my question: how many of you carry spare props and of how many of you have ever needed the spares? Given that I have a protective keel between the two shafts, the extra props seem a bit of overkill and I am thinking of putting them in the garage. There are no other good locations for the props, but if I thought they were that important, I would try to find a home astern.
Of course, I did not notice the boat imbalance when I bought...the forward fuel tank, some 230 gallons worth, was empty. The forward tank is just forward of midship.
Thanks in advance for insights/experiences.
Gordon
My recently purchased Ocean Alexander 456 Classico came with two new pare props. Both of these 29-inch props are stored in the V berth, under a bunk within a couple inches of the anchor locker.
My boat is out of trim, bow to stern by 4 - 6 inches - the bow is too low. OA tells me all their boats were built to sit properly with all tanks full and that no additional ballast should be required. The previous owner installed a bow thruster, which does not add so much weight as it reduces buoyancy. Along with the props, which I recon weigh 80 pounds each (or perhaps more) I have another 100 pounds of spares. With bow thrusters and batteries/charger I probably have an additional 350 pounds forward.
Because this is so far forward, in the narrowest part of the boat, I figure the additional weight is contributing to my bad attitude. Other contributory things include an additional genset installed just forward of mid ship and two ACs in the fly bridge under the helm, along with a second Ice maker.
So finally to my question: how many of you carry spare props and of how many of you have ever needed the spares? Given that I have a protective keel between the two shafts, the extra props seem a bit of overkill and I am thinking of putting them in the garage. There are no other good locations for the props, but if I thought they were that important, I would try to find a home astern.
Of course, I did not notice the boat imbalance when I bought...the forward fuel tank, some 230 gallons worth, was empty. The forward tank is just forward of midship.
Thanks in advance for insights/experiences.
Gordon
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