Time for a bottom job and a new Autoprop. E381

[Neil Gallagher]

Well I've been over due for a haul out (over three years) so it was time. Hauled the E381 out found the usual small pox and when the yard pulled the Autoprop dezincification became apparent. Consulted with the dealer and a local prop shop and made the decision to replace it. Yard sanded the hull filled and expory primed the hull and applied 2 coats of Trinadad. Looking forward to splashing her on Monday as the new prop from the UK has taken a few weeks to show up. Can't wait to get her out again.

 

[gabriel]

Looks good!

 

[Loren Beach]

Is that a Mars Metals split-bulb ballast add-on?

 

[Neil Gallagher]

Yes it is a Mars stability bulb. I believe it adds 660lbs. The PO added the bulb. I never sailed a 381 with a standard shoal keel but sailed a lot of other boats and can tell you this one not feel tender. Plus works well for our Texas coast where our favorite anchorages can be a bit shallow. The PO cruised the boat in FL and the Bahamas so I’m sure the 5’ draft came in handy there too.

 

[Baslin]

Neil do you still have your old 3 blade prop?

 

[Neil Gallagher]

Yes I have the old Autoprop H5. I took it to a local prop shop who said they could repair the blade tip and rebalance the prop for $300. I decided to replace in instead. I did not want to go back to a fixed prop. With the Autoprop on the E381 there is no prop walk and it pushes the boat at 6 knots at arond 2000 rpm in flat water.