| When sailing, each blade is free
to weather vane into the unique and constantly varying water
flow. The near neutral buoyancy of the Zytel? allows an immediate
response to any change in direction. With each blade correctly
feathered and the shaft free to rotate, the absence of any autorotation
is proof of the fully feathered status of the unit.
When motoring ahead, as the propeller starts to rotate, the
blades weather vane around to the pitch stop, where they are
then held in the preset pitch position to generate forward
thrust. Upon disengaging the motor, the unit automatically
reverts to the sailing status described above.
When reverse is engaged, the blade carrying assembly feels
the torque from the water. This winds up the internal spring,
thus allowing the small rollers on the mushroom end to force
and lock each blade back to the ahead position. The whole
unit then starts to rotate in reverse and effectively operates
as a fixed three bladed unit, thus delivering optimal reversing
performance. At the end of the reversing cycle, the spring
returns the unit to the normal sailing status.
These units have now been tested and developed over many
years in real life situations in New Zealand. They are now
available to yacht owners everywhere.
The Kiwi Feathering Prop brings a truly innovative set of
values to owners and designers striving to get the very best
all round motoring, reversing, and sailing performance for
their yachts.
|
