SHAFT LOK INC. Since 1979

MacGregor 65 For Sale.htm Call it what you want: Propeller Lock, Shaft Lock, Propeller Brake, Shaft Brake or whatever. Shaft Lok will keep the propeller and shaft from turning while sailing. For you motor yacht owners with twin engines slow down by shutting off one engine and save diesel fuel…see below.

New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151 USA

Contact Anne:

Phone: 262 786 6800

Leave a message if the machine answers. We will return your call. We are usually available Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm Central Standard Time. If you want to send a FAX 262 786 7492 contact us to make sure the machine is operating. We have it turned off sometimes when the spam gets heavy.

LAST UP DATE: March 7, 2010

After seven years of cruising 6 months a year the SHAFT LOK principals are dropping the hook and selling their boat. S/V Sea Ya II is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Click on MacGregor 65 For Sale.htm

Click on MacGregor 65 Brochure to view the 16 page colored brochure loaded with specifications and photographs. There is a Mac 65 brochure on the internet but it does not have page 12 which covers the engine, soundproofing, rudder control, engine heat and odor, thrust and propeller details. Email Shaftlok@ix.netcom.com for a hard copy of the $12 brochure.

FOR FASTER AND QUIETER SAILING.

The best way to keep the propeller from rotating while the yacht is moving. Enjoy boating more with SHAFT LOK... Properly Positions, Locks and Automatically Unlocks the Propeller, Quickly and Easily Without Leaving the Cockpit.

HOW DOES SHAFT LOK WORK?

Shaft Lok is a simple device of few moving parts.

The main housing contains long and short pins, a rotating disc and control cable.

The yacht’s propeller shaft slides into the main housing’s rotating disc and is secured with set screws. An anti-torque bracket (included) holds the housing from rotating.

While motoring the rotating disc turns with the prop shaft.

To lock Shaft Lok when sailing press down on the control cable palm knob. The control cable has the long locking pin attached to the working end. The long pin engages the rotating disc locking it and hence the propeller from turning.

Inside the main housing along with the long locking pin is a spring loaded short pin that holds the long pin in locked and unlocked positions. The short pin is the heart of the unit. Shaft Lok resists the static torque generated by the stationary propeller as it is being dragged through the water while sailing.

Shaft Lok is designed to unlock when the engine is started and the transmission engaged. The unit automatically unlocks.

There is no electrical or hydraulic power required.

Shaft Lok since 1979 is installed on yachts worldwide.

Updated by web manager KRN March 2009.

ROTATING PROP: Possible transmission damage, slows the boat, noise and vibration, needless drive train wear.

While sailing SHAFT LOK locks the propeller in the most efficient position, vertical in the rudder and keel opening (if that is what you desire), for the best boat speed, quiet operation and without transmission or propeller shaft bearing wear.

The propeller is held stationary regardless of yacht speed. All that is necessary to release the lock is to start the engine and engage the transmission. SHAFT LOK automatically releases.

According to a European magazine “SAILING TODAY” article: “During manufactures comparison tests it was discovered that a standard 15” diameter 3 blade propeller increases the resistance of the hull by 48 pounds (this is) the equivalent of dragging a large bucket behind the boat.”

Manufacturer and Boater Comments:

Autoprop. “Do I need to do anything to make the Autoprop ‘feather’ under sail? All you need to do is stop the engine whilst motoring in ahead and thereafter leave the engine engaged in ahead. With engines fitted with some hydraulic gearboxes engage your shaft lock. Your Autoprop distributor will be able to advise you if this is necessary.” Autoprop Brunton’s Propellers Ltd., Station Road, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 6ST, England (circa 1997)

Volvo transmission 2.43 ratio D3110 110hp diesel installed in a Hanse 540E; “Somebody gives an advise (advice) that I can turn off the engine while running and in gear, however the Volvo guys does not believe in this and think a shaft lok is a good idea.” Hanse Yacht owner A.F.D. of Norway June 2007.

Pearson 365 owners can click on http://www.sailingseadragon.com/Shaftlok.htm to see how Captain G.B. installed a Shaft Lok Mod II Easy Lok unit June 2004. Sea Dragon is a 1981 yacht with a Westerbeke 4-108 engine and Borg Warner “V” Drive Transmission fitted with a 17 x 11 x 3 fixed (non feathering or folding) propeller. (Thank You, Captain G.B.)

Yanmar users should be aware that the transmission may lock the prop shaft from turning BUT may cause serious damage to the transmission. Contact Yanmar for details. We learned this from several boat owners who experienced problems.

The voice of experience: A rotating propeller while sailing can cause extreme heating of the transmission fluid which may destroy the polymer seals causing leakage and transmission failure. (Thanks for the heads up to TBG of NY 8/1/04)

Max-Prop and AutoProp, feathering propellers, require that the prop shaft be held stationary momentarily while the blades feather. Henry K. of Victoria, Canada 10/24/02 tells us: Because AutoProp sets its own pitch it tends to open at speed if it is not locked. (Thank you, Henry)

“The Hurth transmission is not hydraulic; the manufacturer says that it does not hurt the transmission if the prop is allowed to freewheel as the boat sails along. The only caveat is that the gear shift must be left in neutral during freewheeling or otherwise left in reverse to lock the shaft. If the transmission is left in the forward gear position without the engine running, the mechanical mechanism that forces the forward clutch to grip tightly is not activated with the result that the shaft can rotate while sailing. The forward clutch friction plate (the Hurth has two clutches- one for each direction) will gradually develop a glazed surface which eventually will cause the clutch to slip while under power in forward gear.” (Thank you, Jim M. June 2008)

Duel Engine MOTOR YACHT OWNERS, DIESEL TOO EXPENSIVE? SLOW DOWN & SAVE.

Operating on one engine can cut your fuel bill by 73%.

A 1977 cruising Hatteras 42 footer with twin diesel 165hp engines and 24 x 25 inch 3 blade propellers at 2200 RPM on both engines uses 15 GPH producing a boat speed of 11.5 MPH which is .76 MPG. With one engine shut down the GPH drops to 7.5 and speed drops to 9.43 MPH which is an 18% speed loss with a 50% fuel savings at 1.25 MPG. Still with one engine off and reducing the RPM to 1800 the speed is now 8.05 MPH with the GPH at 4 or 73% reduction results in a 2.01 MPG. Thank you for the information Captain Bob. 1/15/2010

NO SPACE IN THE ENGINE ROOM? Ask SHAFT LOK about installing the SHAFTLOK unit over the aft coupling half.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Welcome to our Web! (Prices)
Cover   Shows a picture of a Mod II unit installed.
BackCover   Has the dimensions of all units.
Selection Guide - 2 Bladed Propellers
Selection Guide - 3 Bladed Propellers
Shaft Lok Yachts!   A partial listing of the yachts with Shaft Loks.

Easy Lok Mod II The only way to lock a prop.
Freewheel or Locked Propeller Boat speed is one reason to lock the propeller.

The Simple Spring Locking System   Replaces the cable and saves $$$$.

If you have comments or suggestions,

SHAFT LOK INC. Since 1979

New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151 USA

Contact Anne:

Email: Shaftlok@ix.netcom.com

Phone: 262 786 6800

LAST UP DATE: March 7, 2010

Enjoy your day! For faster and quieter sailing...Ken Nigel.

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