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Is it true that an inboard, with its propshaft angling downward, tends to
prop walk more than an I/O or outboard, whose propshaft is perpendicular to
the direction of travel (whether forward or reverse).  If so, then, for an
inboard, doesn't a prop blade near the top have more of an angle in the water
with respect to the direction of travel (horizontal) than does a blade at the
bottom?  That is, a blade at the bottom tends to slice through the water,
while a blade at the top tends to push against the water.  In other words,
the symmetry is lost with respect to the direction of travel, and a blade at
the top would have more of a sideways effect than one at the bottom, causing
prop walk.

This is just my intuition, based on a piece of information that I am not
certain is true.

Stan

P.S.  I wrote this before I finished reading all the explanations provided by
other list members.  It seems to be in line with Walter Guinon's and Herbert
Prinz's explanations, and one of Trevor Kenchington's.

   

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