feathering prop advice

[paul]

I've got a Moody 36 with a Volvo 40hp and saildrive. Can anyone advise on which types/makes of feathering props might be suitable/best for my boat. Price (within reason) isn't the main factor. Performance, reliability and the need for no modification to the saildrive or anode are most important. Thanks.

 

[Chris_Stannard]

I bought a FLex-o-Fold folding prop from CJR at Southampton for a standard shaft but I think they do a saildrive version. I would suggest that if you have the time go to the boat show where you will find all the manufacturers and they may have special offers.

Incidentally the Flex-o-Fold works very well, but the service from CJR was not very good.

Chris Stannard

 

[seahorse]

I bought a GORI folding prop for my Centaur earlier this year when I re-engined it. I'm well pleased with it 14"X9" 2bladed, cost £330 but I toldem I was trade & got 20% off!
Sillette-Sonic Ltd have a good site & delivery.
Performance under sail & power is muched improved, go for it!

 

[snowleopard]

i bought a pair of flex-o-fold props (saildrive version) and CJR were very good when i wanted to change the pitch, they had new blades imported for me in a few days. and yes, they work very well. they will stop my boat from 11 knots in less than her own length. response in reverse is instantaneous.

incidentally you must have rubber bushed prop hub on a saildrive or manufacturers warranty on the gearbox is void!

 

[jax]

Hi Paul, I fitted a flex- fold on a yanmar saildrive in my 36' sailboat a couple of years ago. Very pleased with performance both fordward and in reverse. Good idea to contact CJHR at boat show for discount.

 

[Joe_Cole]

Paul, I think that either PBO or ST did a report on different props which would help. It was about 12-18 months ago.

Joe

 

[Peter_H]

We have an autoprop on our Oceanis 361. Originally our dealer fitted a volvo three blade folding prop by mistake so we can make a direct comparison. The autoprop seems to give better speed under power for a given amount of revs and gives much less prop walk when manouvering. Speed under sail is obviously harder to gauge but there isn't much in it.

We have had no reliability problems so far although we have only had the prop fitted for one season. We have noticed that we do not quite meet the recommended revs as quoted by volvo at full throttle - but Autoprop have kindly offered to give us around 100 more rpm by repitching it free of charge when the boat is hauled out over the winter, so it appears customer service is good as well!

 

[bob_tyler]

"we do not quite meet the recommended revs "

How accurate is your rev counter? Around 100 rpm increase by re-pitching hardly seems worth the effort if your rev counter is anything out - perhaps showing less than the engine is actually doing.

 

[Peter_H]

The rev counter shows 3150rpm at full throttle with a clean bottom and empty boat, down to 2950-3000rpm with cruising gear etc and a small amount of fouling. Volvo recommend anywhere from 3200-3600rpm (2030 model) for full throttle so we think the boat is currently slightly overproped. We reckon it's well worth taking up Brunton's offer to get a few more revs, since it is free of charge and the boat is coming out of the water anyway.

 

[Opinionated]

Speak to Richard Hares, Darglow Marine Engineering Ltd. 01929 459126

Very helpful, very knowledgable, markets MaxProp and another which name I forget.



(I don't have to agree with YOUR opinions, but I'll defend your right to express them).

 

[Joe_Cole]

Quite by chance I came across that article last night. It was in ST May 2001 and gives a brief outline of the available props (8 or 9 manufacturers). No performance comparisons.

If you want I could send you a copy.

Joe

 

[paul]

Thanks for the offer. I'm pretty sure I've got that issue somewhere. I'll look it up.

Paul

 

[davidwf]

Autoprop rev\'s

Have an Autoprop which is great, also ran at low revs under full power, I took up Bruntons offer of repitching, now can get up to maximum revs, well worth doing.

I know my maximum rev's weren't reached because a representive from Bruntons came out on sea trials with me to check, he used a hand held rev counter and measured the rev's himself.

Bruntons after sales service is superb, only drawback as far as I am concerned was the price of the prop but they now do a two bladed version.

I would recommend you fit a hull anode connected to the sail drive as the anodes on the leg and prop are a tad small for peace of mind. This I suspect goes for any non Aluminum prop fitted to a saildrive.

 

[Peter_H]

Re: Autoprop rev\'s

We'll defnitely give the re-pitching a go then!