Re: [Catalina 355:6214] Digest for catalina355@googlegroups.com - 1 update in 1 topic

[David Everett]

Hi Vin,

I also have an Autostream, and it was initially over-pitched and unable to reach 3600 revs when I installed it. So on successive haulouts, I reduced the pitch, as instructed in the manual, bit by bit until it reached exactly 3600 rpm after two adjustments. With a clean hull in light conditions and at cruising revs of 2800, my boat is getting 6+ knots of speed.

Sea Trials & Pitch Adjustment

The propeller pitch is generally preset using the information supplied when your propeller

was ordered. However, fine-tuning will achieve optimum performance.

The pitch is correct when the engine just reaches the engine manufacturers maximum

continuous rated rpm, under flat-water conditions.

Over revving is not enough pitch, while black smoke or ‘lugging’ is too much pitch.

Half a turn of the pitch adjusting screw will make about 150 rpm alteration on most

installations.

Reverse rarely needs adjustment and is set at a finer pitch than forward to assist with

control and minimise sideways “prop walk”

To adjust the pitch, slightly loosen the lock nut of the screw you wish to adjust (Refer to the

pictures below) using the supplied 17mm wrench. Turn the screw in the required direction

using the supplied 5mm hex key and retighten the locking nut. Use caution not to over

tighten the lock nut.

NOTE: The propeller can be in any position while adjusting the pitch.

There is ‘R’ and ‘F’ marks by the pitch adjusting screws to indicate the forward or reverse

pitch adjusters for the initial factory set up. If the prop rotation has been reversed at any time

these will be reversed also. The “Rule of thumb”: and pictures below will always be correct.

RULE OF THUMB

When the propeller is covered in anti-foul or while underwater the adjuster markings are

impossible to see, the following rules always apply.

With the pitch adjusting screws on the same side of the propeller as the direction of rotation,

when looking ahead, (left side for left hand or counter clockwise rotation and right side for

right hand or clockwise rotation).

The UPPER adjuster is for FORWARD screw IN to INCREASE pitch.

The LOWER adjuster is for REVERSE screw OUT to INCREASE pitch.

David (#62 in South Australia)

On Mon, Jul 20, 2026 at 9:52 AM <catal...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

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• PROPELLER Autostream 3-Bladed Feathering - 1 Update

PROPELLER Autostream 3-Bladed Feathering

Allan Spousta <ajsp...@gmail.com>: Jul 19 01:09PM -0700 Hi, I have a Autostream 3-Bladed Feathering prop. Was wondering what pitch settings you have if you have that type of prop. Currently I can only achieve about 3,000 max Rpm which at 80% is about 5.1 knots. I think my porous too course as out yanmar motor should be able to achieve 3,600 Rpm with crusing at about 2,700 to 2,900 at 6 plus knots Any technical help is appreciated   Allan Spousta #67 Vin Gade   Sent from my iPhone

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