Customer Testimonials

Nonsuch 30 - Since purchasing an AUTOPROP, I have been more than satisfied with its performance. Against a 12- to 15-knot wind and 1- to 3- foot waves, we had averaged 6.7 knots at 2050 to 2150 rpms over a distance of 25 nautical miles. The Autoprop performs superbly while motorsailing, with reductions of 200 to 400 rpms in light wind while maintaining 7 knots. All in all, the Autoprop is the most satisfying performance investment I have made in over 30 years of sailing.
--Gerald Derus, WI

Cruising Catamaran - I had hoped for a top-speed gain of 1 to 1.5 knots from 6.2 to 7. Much to my surprise, when I glanced at the knot meter, it registered 8 and continued to climb to 8.5. It is truly amazing that two 18-hp diesels can now push a 13,000-pound vessel at 8.5 knots at 2500 rpm! Prior to installing the AUTOPROP, I had seriously considered new 27-horse motors. Results of the AUTOPROP were seven days of motoring from Norfolk to Charleston on less than 120 gallons of fuel!
--Eric Nord, MD

DEVA
Recently I fitted a new two blade “Bruntons” self pitching propeller. These are expensive compared with fixed propellers or some of the more basic folders. Nevertheless I have been very impressed to date. The design, by Bruntons Propellers Ltd of Clacton, is very clever. The blade is shaped in such a way that it swivels to match engine speed and conditions, effectively continuously adjusting the coarseness of the pitch. In layman’s terms the propeller always has the best grip on the water, whether the boat is going slow or fast, or whether the sea is rough or smooth. Additionally, when astern is engaged the prop blades swing right round, so it performs as well astern as it does ahead – it really does grip better than anything else on an emergency stop!

When sailing, to lock the propeller in sailing position or stop it from revolving, forward gear, rather than astern as normal practice, is engaged. If it is allowed to revolve, it does grip very heavily on the water, seemingly heavier than the fixed three blader! In terms of drag, when folded or swivelled in sailing position, it is of course very much less than a fixed bladed prop, and compared with a conventional folding propeller, it is as nearly as little. Under power I have been very impressed to date. When motor sailing, or motoring with some sail drawing, it adjusts to give the maximum benefit as the sail contribution varies. In lumpy or pitching seas it does not lose its grip, even at low speed. At full power the boat is about three quarters of a knot faster than with a fixed three blade propeller, going from 5.7 knots to 6.5 knots or even a little higher. As interesting as well is the fact that the engine no longer produced black smoke under full load, proving that the self pitching is working.
It really is a beautiful piece of design, and beautifully made too.
---Jon Wainwright

Heavy Displacement 40-foot Cruiser - The AUTOPROP has performed wonderfully. Hirta is a knot faster under power at economical cruising rpms, and that’s only a bonus. Our original intention was to alleviate the drag put on her by a 19-inch 3-bladed prop that had dogged her under sail for years. That effort was completely successful. Her speed has been transformed so that she is sailing as she was originally intended for the first time since an auxiliary engine was installed in 1930. We are now sustaining speeds for long periods which previously were only touched briefly on the surge, and Hirta sings for joy now that she has been relieved of her heavy burden! This has been achieved with no shaft vibration whatsoever. In 13 years of owning Hirta, nothing we have done has had so dramatic an effect on her.
--Tom Cunliffe, England

32-Foot Channel Cruiser - My wife and I have cruised over 1400 miles during the season, and I am pleased to say that our new AUTOPROP has lived up fully to our expectations. For starters, we have experienced an increase in speed of an average .75 knots. In lighter airs, again, there has been a distinct improvement, not only in pointing higher to the wind, but in the improved performance through the water putting us well on par with some of the lighter displacement cruisers, where in the past we have been left well behind. Take-up to full power is much faster and smoother. Maximum speed of 6.5 knots is achieved quickly. We find a considerable improvement in reverse speed, power and stopping in forward motion. We have also obtained a significant decrease in fuel consumption while under power. While on the hard, much to our pleasure, we discovered our AUTOPROP had remained perfectly clean. I have suggested to my wife we should extract the propeller during the off season and mount it on the mantle shelf for all to admire! Overall, our cruising has been outstanding, largely due to the installation of our Autoprop.
--David Fenwick, England

Tartan 3500 - At an engine speed of 3000 rpm and an indicated boat speed of 6.5 knots, the swim platform was about one inch awash. At the constant top speed of 3300 rpm, the throttle lever was at its limit. I frequently find others who are interested in the performance of the Autoprop and want further information about it. The most impressive inquiries are from others standing dockside when we return Silver Dolphin to her slip, stern to the dock, asking, "How does she back so well?"
--Larry Cross, CT.

Columbia 34 - I have used my 16 inch AUTOPROP for one year and have had spectacular results. The thrust at low boat speed is almost double and at hull speed I am using 400 rpm’s less. At one point I had not had the prop cleaned for 2 months. It was totally covered with barnacles, the bearings however remained clear and there was no impairment of function due to my neglect.
--Karl E. Geis, TX

Ted Hood - Little Harbor 50 - I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the performance of my new AUTOPROP. I have gone the entire route form three-blade fixed to three-blade feathering and then to the AUTOPROP. With all the other props my two problems were motoring into a head sea and reversing. My boat is heavy with full sections forward and a lot of freeboard. When motoring into a head sea and wind, the best speed I could achieve was around 4 knots. With my Autoprop I can now motor into any weather at 6 knots. When reversing, my boat always went in a circle to the left. I could never get enough way-on to get steerage, and reversing off a lee dock was a nightmare. With my Autoprop I have steerage immediately, and it makes me look quite skilled. An added bonus is that I do a lot of motoring at 1500 revs. At these revs I can run my refrigeration, my watermaker and charge my batteries. With my other propellers my speed was 6.2 knots, with my AUTOPROP it is 7.2, an increase of nearly 20%.
--Les Isgur, CA

Tartan 32 - Probably the best purchase I have made in 30 yrs of sailing. Reduced fuel consumption, one knot faster under sail & lower RPM. What else could you want.
-- Mr. Hayward, NJ.

Tartan 3500 - I am very satisfied with my AUTOPROP. Others frequently ask me about the performance. The most impressive inquiry is from others who watch in awe as I back Silver Dolphin into my slip and stop her.
-- Mr. Cross, CT

Swan 48 - I cannot even begin to describe the difference. Without the AUTOPROP we had no control whatsoever in reverse. Now I can back into any slip anywhere.

GRACIE:
Jim Bender of San Diego California recently installed an Autoprop on his 38’Triamaran “Gracie”, and here’s what he had to say after his sea trials.

“Putting aside the benefits gained like decreased vibration, less noise, and decreased weight, the Autoprop alone is responsible for nearly a 50 percent increase in range.” “It is hard to imagine a more dramatic improvement, 3-blade vs. 3-blade”.

Jim was impressed at the speeds achievable with the Autoprop, and was even more amazed at the RPMs at which he achieved these increases. He is now able to drive the boat to hull speed at a lower rpm under any sea conditions.

"Gracie" spends her time sailing the local waters off the coast of Sothern California and Northern Mexico. Jim is currently outfitting the boat for his first major cruise. He and his wife Victoria will be traveling the southern route to South America in the spring of 2002.

Be sure to say hi to them, if you can keep up!
--- Jim Bender