Autostream

Self feathering sailboat propellers designed and manufactured in Australia since 1976.

West By North Enterprises is the Canadian Distributor of the all stainless steel Autostream Self-Feathering propellers.

The Autostream S Series comes on-line after 23 years of production of the Autostream 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 Series of bronze feathering propellers by Seahawk Pty. Ltd. of Australia.

3 Blade Shaft Drive
Construction : Stainless Steel
Sizes : 15” (380mm) to 20” (508mm) Dia.
Maximum Shaft size : 1 1/2”(38mm) Dia.
Maximum thread size : 1” (25mm) Dia.
Rated to 75 HP (SAE)

3 Blade Sail Drive
Construction : Stainless Steel
Sizes : 15”(380mm) to 20” (508mm) Dia.
Suits : Yanmar, Volvo, Bukh (16/32 spline)
Rated to 75 HP (SAE)

Advantages of Autostream Self Feathering Propellers over Folding Propellers

Superior Reverse
The reversing performance of feathering propellers is superior to all other fixed and folding blade propellers which are designed for optimum ahead performance.

Feathering propeller blades rotate on their axis when going from forward to reverse, This presents the same leading edge of the blade to the water as in the ahead position.

Autostream propellers have independent pitch adjustment for forward and reverse
This allows pitch adjustment to achieve optimum ahead performance whilst allowing a fine pitch setting astern, giving less tendency for prop walk and maximum thrust.

Longer Life
have many propellers giving 20 year plus service, and in most cases these can be refurbished for around 20% of the replacement cost.

Also the material used in Autostream propellers is less prone to electrolysis.

Propellers with moving blades such as folding and feathering have poor electrical connection of components to the standard shaft anode.
It is therefore important that a substantial anode be attached directly to the propeller to give satisfactory protection.

Autostream propellers have sufficient pitch adjustment to accommodate virtually all engine/gearbox combinations.
This plus the ability to be changed from right hand rotation to left hand rotation means that in most instances the same propeller can be used should you decide to change to an engine with different specifications.

How They Work

The Autostream feathering yacht propeller is designed especially for sailing yachts.

It may be fitted in the normal manner to conventional propeller shafts with ahead and astern gearboxes. The hub blank may be machined in the normal way with a taper and key to suit the particular shaft.

The blades turn in the hub on their own axis some half a turn from the ahead position through ‘feather’ to the astern position. This movement is imparted to the blades by the shaft turning through a limited angle within the hub, and no control is required apart from the gear lever. When the shaft is put ahead, the blades are turned to a positive pitch position and drive the yacht ahead.

With the yacht underway, and the shaft stopped, the propeller overruns the shaft a little until the blades assume the feathered position. In this situation, the blades give no turning motion to the propeller and will not move from ‘feather’ unless the shaft is rotated by the engine.

When the shaft is put astern the shaft turns further in the hub and the blades complete their half-turn from the ahead position to the astern position. It will be seen now that the propeller is similarly ‘handed’ (right or left) in the ahead and astern positions, and as the shaft is turning in reverse, the astern position is achieved.

The stops that limit the shaft rotation in the hub are controlled with two set screws and locknuts. By altering the setting of these screws, the pitch of the blades is readily and simply adjusted to best suit the engine and hull characteristics.

Autostream for Shaft Drvies

“S” series 3 blade shaft drive propeller

This model is the result of over 15 years of propeller development.
Introduced in 1993 it was designed specifically to fully utilize the rapid machining capabilities of our computer machining centers.
This results in high accuracy and efficiency enabling lower production costs.

Main Features

• Simple screw and lock nut pitch adjustment. (no dismantling whatsoever).
• Independent ahead and astern pitch adjustment.
• Each blade has two bearing journals for maximum rigidity.
• Superior propulsion ahead and astern over folding and fixed blade propellers.
• Precision machined bearings and gears.
• Sacrificial anodic tail cone with a stainless steel core.
• One point lubrication through a zerk fitting.
• Five-year limited warranty.

Each propeller supplied with:

• 2 hex keys
• 1 spanner
• 1 cartridge of grease
• 1 spare anode
• 1 stainless steel shaft nut and locking screw
• 1 spare set of O-rings

Autostream for Sail Drvies

“S” series 3 blade sail drive propeller

The latest models in the Autostream range, the “S” series propellers are investment cast in various stainless steels.

The propeller body components and main gear hub are cast in 316 stainless steel and the blades are cast in Temet 2507 stainless steel.
The pitch adjusting screws are “K” model 500 and other screws and nuts are 316 stainless steel.

This Autostream propeller also features a cushion hub which is required by all sail drive manufacturers to comply with warranty specifications.

The Autostream cushion hub is unique in that it is fail-safe. No fear of a cushion hub failure leaving you without drive and, in the event of deterioration, it can be replaced on the slipway.

No need to send the propeller away for expensive and time-consuming repairs.

Main Features

• Unique fail-safe cushion hub.
• New blade design – up to 20% more efficiency.
• O-ring seals on the blades and main gear hub to prevent loss of grease.
• Simple grub screw and lock nut pitch adjustment.
• Independent ahead and astern pitch adjustment allows optimum ahead pitch and fine astern pitch for maximum thrust and minimum prop walk.
• Oversize dowels locate the blade assembly and transmit driving torque.
• 6 x 8mm cap head screws lock wired for security.
• Sacrificial anodic tail cone with a stainless steel core.
• single “zerk” greasing point enables in water lubrication of all bearing areas.
• Replaceable delrin and nickel aluminum bronze bearings throughout.
• 5-year limited warranty.

Each propeller supplied with:

• 2 hex keys
• 1 spanner
• 1 cartridge of grease
• 1 spare anode
• 1 stainless steel shaft nut and locking screw
• 1 spare set of O-rings