Re:Prop Lock- your thoughts

Lew: For one with a Velvet Drive, the discussion at the Rendezvous seemed a bit incomplete. Let's assume for the moment that some type of lock is desirable, if for no more important reason that the owner wants to sleep at night. I have a Max-prop and the more I look at it it seems a relatively fussy, short-distance solution. Is there a shaft lock you recommend that's reasonably priced and practical?

Thanks- John

I don't have a particular one that I recommend. The information that I have in my Velvet Drive transmission manual states that you need a prop shaft lock.
Lew

I have to amend my earlier statement. If you have a folding prop you do not need a shaft lock as your shaft will not be turning.
Lew

I had one on my boat took it off about 10 years ago. Borg Warner velvet drive recommends just leaving tran in neutral and will slowly turn.

Or if noise problem . Attach 1 1/8 donut zinc on inside in bilge on prop shaft . Attach a tie wrap with a small screw to zinc and underside of floor. The tie wrap is easy to replace and if you forget and put eng in gear it simply breaks. I have used a vice grip but you MUST attach eng ignition key to it!

I know this is an ancient thread, but we have the Prop Lock on our Whitby. It apparently was not designed for marine use, it is great big hunk of rust.

Ours is the one with the lever and notch in a disc. It came with the boat. I'm afraid if I remove all the rust there will be nothing left.

I have one and wondered about its use, the caliper is gone, no rust at all on the rotor. And unlike the access to the packing gland, I can clearly see the rotor but have no idea how you would engage the caliper and the pads.

I always heard it is best to put her in reverse vs in neutral?
TKS
Jim

On our last boat we always put it in reverse when sailing, different transmission though.

As far as I am aware the specific transmission in a boat dictates if you sail in neutral or in gear or if you can do both. I have always looked for the transmission manual and found the answer there. This fact surprised me a number of years ago sailing in a friends boat and was told I needed to put the transmission in reverse when sailing. I thought they were nuts but did as they wished as it was their boat. Turns out the specific transmission they had needed that configuration. All boats I’ve ever owned wanted the transmission in neutral. Subsequently I’ve discovered some transmissions allow for neutral or to be placed in reverse if you don’t want the shaft to turn for some reason. I’d find a manual for your transmission and find out what that specific transmission prefers.

dj

As best as I recall, The Velvet Drive calls for shaft brake or lock, Unfortunately I think our Prop Lock is beyond repair.

From the BoaterEd site
"foggy sail" called Velvet Drive Transmissions/Marine (864.843.9234) which is no longer a subsidiary of Borg-Warner and was directed to their technical department. The person foggy sail spoke to was named Jeff who explained that the transmissions can operate freewheeling safely if the speed is kept under 7-8 knots.