I found this prop test from 2009 which is pretty interesting and Seahawk props rate pretty well on average.
seahawk.com.au/YACHTING-MONTHLY.pdf
Can anyone point me to a more recent version of this type of test?
Any Seahawk owners or experiences on this forum?
I'm looking at replacing my Bukh 36 next winter, primarily due to lack of availability of parts during extended cruising for an 43yr old engine which is a shame because I like the Bukh.
Im using the time available to work out the most suitable engine/gearbox/feathering prop configuration for my boat.
Select to expand quoteEastCoastSail said..
I found this prop test from 2009 which is pretty interesting and Seahawk props rate pretty well on average.
seahawk.com.au/YACHTING-MONTHLY.pdf
Can anyone point me to a more recent version of this type of test?
Any Seahawk owners or experiences on this forum?
I'm looking at replacing my Bukh 36 next winter, primarily due to lack of availability of parts during extended cruising for an 43yr old engine which is a shame because I like the Bukh.
Im using the time available to work out the most suitable engine/gearbox/feathering prop configuration for my boat.
I replaced an old and worn Hydralign with a Seahawk Autostream last September, pretty much based on the same review. The Autostream was a thing of beauty and I was tempted to mount it on the forward bulkhead in the cabin instead of hidden from view at the end of the prop shaft. The first run showed the prop was under-pitched in both forward and reverse so we had to do a lift and hang to adjust the pitch. The Seahawk owner (can't remember his name) was very helpful and turned the blades down from 14" to 13" so the prop would fit the available space, did an express delivery and provided the magic formula for adjusting the pitch (1 turn on the adjuster equivalent to 300 rpm as I recall). Overall, very satisfied with the customer experience.
Sadly, I can't report on the performance because a combination of ill health and knee surgery have prevented me from sailing for the last 10 months. However, after adjusting the pitch, the trip back to the berth was very quick and very smooth, much less vibration than before the swap. We had the shaft, cutlass bearing, gland and gearbox coupling done at the same time. The old gearbox coupling wouldn't come off the shaft so the shaft had to be cut in 2 and a new one fabricated.
The owner said he was closing the business in June of this year as he wanted to retire and couldn't find anyone to keep it going. I see now that JBC Yacht Engineering in NSW have taken on production. It's great to see the business continue.
Cheers,
Kinora
Select to expand quoteKinora said..EastCoastSail said..
I found this prop test from 2009 which is pretty interesting and Seahawk props rate pretty well on average.
seahawk.com.au/YACHTING-MONTHLY.pdf
Can anyone point me to a more recent version of this type of test?
Any Seahawk owners or experiences on this forum?
I'm looking at replacing my Bukh 36 next winter, primarily due to lack of availability of parts during extended cruising for an 43yr old engine which is a shame because I like the Bukh.
Im using the time available to work out the most suitable engine/gearbox/feathering prop configuration for my boat.
I replaced an old and worn Hydralign with a Seahawk Autostream last September, pretty much based on the same review. The Autostream was a thing of beauty and I was tempted to mount it on the forward bulkhead in the cabin instead of hidden from view at the end of the prop shaft. The first run showed the prop was under-pitched in both forward and reverse so we had to do a lift and hang to adjust the pitch. The Seahawk owner (can't remember his name) was very helpful and turned the blades down from 14" to 13" so the prop would fit the available space, did an express delivery and provided the magic formula for adjusting the pitch (1 turn on the adjuster equivalent to 300 rpm as I recall). Overall, very satisfied with the customer experience.
Sadly, I can't report on the performance because a combination of ill health and knee surgery have prevented me from sailing for the last 10 months. However, after adjusting the pitch, the trip back to the berth was very quick and very smooth, much less vibration than before the swap. We had the shaft, cutlass bearing, gland and gearbox coupling done at the same time. The old gearbox coupling wouldn't come off the shaft so the shaft had to be cut in 2 and a new one fabricated.
The owner said he was closing the business in June of this year as he wanted to retire and couldn't find anyone to keep it going. I see now that JBC Yacht Engineering in NSW have taken on production. It's great to see the business continue.
Cheers,
Kinora
I forgot to add that the truly demented prop walk with the Hydralign was only slightly reduced with the Seahawk prop but there may be room for slight improvement by adjusting the reverse pitch. And lots of room for improvement by being a better sailor ...
K.
I fitted a 3 blade AUTO STREAM SELF-FEATHERING SHAFT DRIVE S1 to my HR 40 in 2020 and took the yacht from Fremantle to Brisbane accross the GAB in 2021/22, which included lots of motoring. Prop worked flawlessly, no problems at all. Fitted a rope cutter just in front of the prop in Hobart.
Ilenart
