Variable Pitch – Hundested Propellers

Hundested Prop

As mentioned in an earlier post, we are helping a customer that recently purchased a Custom Steel Boats 65′ Molokia Straights.   This “expedition” style yacht had a 38 inch diameter variable pitch propeller system by Hundested.  The system uses a 100mm hollow shaft with an inner shaft for hydraulically adjusting pitch while underway – not your common prop & shaft assembly.  Our customer is looking to put a lot of sea miles on his new boat and wanted the system completely torn down, inspected and reassembled.

During the project we found we could improve on the shaft bearing system (see May 3rd post on Custom Bearings).  We also found, based on scoping,  the transmission to be out of alignment by over 1/4″ – a real problem with a shaft that is only 5 feet long.

Special thanks to Steve McGowan, President of McGowan Marine Inc – the US agent for Hundested Propeller, for his support and oversight during this complex project.