ZF280 Gear 2:1 and rotation - question?

[joe4852]

I have a ZF280 Gear 2:1 currently running RH rotation. I see a prop available here that is LH that I would be interested in.
Any problems simply switching rotations? I was told its owners preference, the gear runs fine either rotation.
I notice most Props are running RH. Is there a benefit of RH over left? What's the difference in the ride?
Boat is a 35 Duffy Low Shear /500HP Yanmar, 2900 RPM motor.
Thanks
Joe

 

[Dslpwr]

You can run LH or Rh prop doesn’t matter just switch cable at the shifter handle

 

[Tunacious]

Or switch at the gear lever. This maybe easier.

 

[joe4852]

Got it. Thanks

 

[southshore30]

I’m about to do this same thing Joe. Gorham’s went through my 280 and gave it a clean bill of health and installed new seals and mounted it to my QSC. It’s the gear that came in the boat swinging a LH wheel and I sold that and ordered a new RH from Nautilus so it will be spinning a new direction after 20 years when it goes back into the boat

 

[Dslpwr]

Or switch at the gear lever. This maybe easier.

Gear lever you will have to have cable in the other direction which involve making a new bracket you’ll need a new cable most likely. Plus the Zf gear comes with a bracket mount on control box.

 

[Blitzen]

I have a ZF280 Gear 2:1 currently running RH rotation. I see a prop available here that is LH that I would be interested in.
Any problems simply switching rotations? I was told its owners preference, the gear runs fine either rotation.
I notice most Props are running RH. Is there a benefit of RH over left? What's the difference in the ride?
Boat is a 35 Duffy Low Shear /500HP Yanmar, 2900 RPM motor.
Thanks
Joe

Left or right hand rotation preference depends on where your helm is on the boat. Most often approaching a dock or pier it is done helm side to as visibility is better for the approach. You want your boat to back or pull to the side of the boat that the helm is on when in reverse. This way when approaching a dock at an angle, when the engine is put in reverse the bow pulls away and the stern pulls in causing the boat to go parallel with the dock. If the rotation was the other way the the angle of approach would increase not decrease making docking more difficult.

 

[Genius]

I prefer LH props. Starboard helm and theoretic prop nut tightening.

 

[joe4852]

Left or right hand rotation preference depends on where your helm is on the boat. Most often approaching a dock or pier it is done helm side to as visibility is better for the approach. You want your boat to back or pull to the side of the boat that the helm is on when in reverse. This way when approaching a dock at an angle, when the engine is put in reverse the bow pulls away and the stern pulls in causing the boat to go parallel with the dock. If the rotation was the other way the the angle of approach would increase not decrease making docking more difficult.

Thanks Blitzen. I guess that explains the popularity of the RH rotation.

I think you’re saying right side helm, RH rotation prop , approaching dock on right and reverse will tend to pull stern into dock. best case.

 

[joe4852]

I prefer LH props. Starboard helm and theoretic prop nut tightening.

Any particular reason for the preference? Is your dock on port side? So when you back down the stern moves in?

Mine is on right and I always thought I was just great at the helm or the hull design made her back right. Now Blitzen has pointed out there are some prop hydro physics going on when backing down .

 

[WoundUpMarine]

Thanks Blitzen. I guess that explains the popularity of the RH rotation.

I think you’re saying right side helm, RH rotation prop , approaching dock on right and reverse will tend to pull stern into dock. best case.

A right hand helm will want a LH prop. When backing down a left hand prop will walk the stern to starboard. Prop walk can be a great thing. You got to remember the left or right hand they call a prop is for when you're going forward. Going astern will be opposite.

 

[Genius]

Any particular reason for the preference? Is your dock on port side? So when you back down the stern moves in?

Mine is on right and I always thought I was just great at the helm or the hull design made her back right. Now Blitzen has pointed out there are some prop hydro physics going on when backing down .

Yup. It walks the stern in while backing. It’s the paddle wheel effect.

 

[Blitzen]

Thanks Blitzen. I guess that explains the popularity of the RH rotation.

I think you’re saying right side helm, RH rotation prop , approaching dock on right and reverse will tend to pull stern into dock. best case.

No it is the other way around, Starboard helm, left hand rotation. When in reverse you want the wheel to pull the stern towards the dock.

 

[joe4852]

No it is the other way around, Starboard helm, left hand rotation. When in reverse you want the wheel to pull the stern towards the dock.

I see. What Woundup said "A right hand helm will want a LH prop. " And as Genius prefers.

 

[southshore30]

I say it all depends on what your used to, most importantly what side you dock on or if your pulling up to traps all day what helps you maneuver closest to them. I have a stbd side helm but where I pull in and dock it’s a port side tie up therefore I prefer RH rotation. When I got new boat it had a LH wheel and I looked like I’d never driven a boat before trying to dock at my space. Took some getting used to but I ordered a RH for the new engine combination

 

[[email protected]]

To me, only reason to go right hand propeller is they are more popular and so are more often in stock. Other than that, the gear doesn't care, and you'll get used to how your boat handles in one Diesel and Tito's weekend.
Easiest is to switch shift cable direction at the control.