J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Folding Prop Alignment Question:

On Rhapsody the two bolts on the shaft coupling are 180 degrees apart. If they are horizontal the shaft is positioned so the blades are side by side. I can unlatch the engine cover/steps and rotate it forward with one hand, while rotating the shaft with the other hand.

The steps do not need to be removed if you rotate them aft from the top about 12 " while they rest on the bottom lip. It is enough room to get your arm in to position the shaft. I do this by resting on my right side reaching in from the port side so the left arm rotates the steps and right arm turns the shaft.