Conference vicki::boats

I don't have hard information on the Comprop. 

But I stop and read their ad everytime I see it, and the part that you
mentioned keeps nagging at me. Seems to me as though the makers of
stainless steel props claim that their props are more rigid than cast
aluminum, so they dig better, which gives you a better hole shot.

So who is selling what? 

I also can't make the dynamics work right in my mind; the advantage
appears to me to be a cheaper* emergency (get-home) prop that is light
and easily carried.

* - cheaper than a stock prop or steel prop.

I had Land & Sea Performance in Salem NH rebuild a prop that I munged;
that's my emergency prop. The rebuild was cheaper than the Comprop.

Art

> the advantage appears to me to be a *cheaper* emergency (get-home) prop
> that is light and easily carried.
> *-* - cheaper than a stock prop or steel prop.
     
  All the articles I've read lead me to believe that the composite props
  are best used for the spare. 
    
/MArk

    I hear that the Composites don't bend when you hit something hard.
    They shatter.
    
    Personally, I'd rather have an old prop recast (about $35) and use
    it as a spare. I've had to do that an embarrasing twice last season
    (my sounder is less reliable than I would like!)
    
    Tally-ho,
    
    Ray

    I agree, my understanding is the COMPROP is a spare. Calculating
    which prop you need is a science. A variable pitch prop would be
    the ideal situation, one pitch for the hole shot, and being able
    to tune it while underway, listening to the engine, and watching
    the tach. Unfortunately its not as yet available. This particular
    prop may flex, but maybe not in the direction you'd like, and you
    don't have any control over it. I'd like to add a little more to
    this, especially concerning E&B. I've had several bad experiences
    with them. My advice is to buy from them, those items you
    understand to be of the quality your looking for, or well 
    known brand names based on price. I would avoid like the plague
    buying anything new, or taking advice from any of their people.
    They're out to sell, and they're not going for the boat ride.
    
    One good example is their "infamous iflatable" i know its been
    recalled once already, and someone is this notes file is
    still not satisfied as recent as this past season.
    
    you decide.
    
    jim.

Here's the kind of observation my sons hate:

It's interesting that the Comprop ad lists (as an advantage) the fact
that if you hit something the blade shears off, to save your lower unit
gears and drive shaft. My '58 Johnson had sort of the same feature, only
it was the 25 cent shear pin that sheared off if you hit something.

Dating myself,

Art

    Art, i think they're aiming the "shearing attribute" at inboards,
    
    where there ain't no shear pins.
    
    jim.

RE: .4 by TYCOBB::J_BORZUMATO >
 
    I agree, my understanding is the COMPROP is a spare. Calculating
    which prop you need is a science. A variable pitch prop would be
    the ideal situation, one pitch for the hole shot, and being able
    to tune it while underway, listening to the engine, and watching
    the tach. Unfortunately its not as yet available.

Variable-pitched props were invented back in the 40' but faded 'cause of
the technology.  Land & Sea has a vairable prop advertized where you can
select the blade count (3 vs 4), blade type (rake), and downshift ratio.
Last summer I polled my fellow boaters and only found one other person
REALLY interested.  I have yet to find anyone who is actually using one.
The prop's start at $500 (and go up) mostly dependent on the type of blade
you select.  There were a few demos of that prop at the Worcester Boat show.

	If anyone has experience with the Land & Sea prop, please contact me.
I am interested in buying one, but want to speak with a REAL user before
I leap......

	garry (counting the days until ICE-OUT) 

    re .7
    
    Garry
    
    	I might go with LS torque-shift after I take a better look at it
    during the High Performance boat show april 6-9 (World Trade Center
    Boston). Also there should be a test of the prop in this months
    Powerboat magazine. Owens Marine/Baja Dealer - will be selling the
    prop. Tony's (Hydrostream Dealer in RI) Marine has told me that the
    props "out of hole" performance is VERY good! In fact it's almost too
    much...
    
    								-mike- 

    I need some help in understanding what you want. The original
    subject is " a variable pitch prop" this to me means you can
    have control of the pitch at your console. Are you folks
    talking about a prop that will change its pitch at rpm?
    
    jim.

    re .9
    
    Jim,
    	That's right...Land & Seas Torque-Shift prop will change pitch as a
    function of both rpm and power trim control. So yes, you can have
    control over your props pitch at the console via trim or throttle..
    
    								-mike-

<RE: Note 231.8 by ASPEN2::BOIKO >

Mike,

	As always, thanks for the additional information lead.  I have talked to
the people @ OWENS but have never been able to come up with enough $$$ to do
business with them (although they seem to be a good source of tech. info).

	garry

    	I am looking for some information on Composition Propellers,
    "comp-props".    I have heard two schools of thought, non of which are
    neutral.    They are either very good, or they are not worth the money. 
    I was thinking of using one as a spare since they are only about $75.00
    in E & B Marine Calalogue.
    	Does any one out there have any info.
        	Thanks,
    				Art Chaff
    	

    	I kinda recall a discussion in here somewhere about "plastic"
    props; I think the concensus was that they tended to flex, thereby
    changing pitch somewhat.  Overall, the view was that they would be ok
    as a spare prop, especially as the price is low.  
    
    Carl

	I broke down and bought a 13.6x20, 4 blade comprop for my alpha one merc.
	All I can say is that I'm real happy with the way it performed. I 
	normally run a 14x19, 3 blade aluminum. The comprop seemed to have more
	hit coming out of the hole and made it much easier to get skiers up. 
	The only draw back was I lost a couple mph on top end. 

	For the $84.00 I paid for it I feel it is well worth the money. And
	it is more than just a spare prop for me.

	Craig