fitting a new folding prop on a volvo saildrive

SAWDOC

SAWDOC

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Hi folks

Can anyone share their experience of fitting a new folding prop on a VP saildrive in my case a 110S?
I am currently researching three different model types - Gori , Kiwiprop and Flexofold.

Ideally i want a prop which when fitted requires zero maintenance from April through to October when we lift out for the winter. And the easier is is to fit and maintain the better.:) The kiwi prop website boasts of very easy fitting while the other web sites are silent on this - email sent to both.

Thanks
 
I've just ordered 2 Flexofold 2-bladers for my saildrives, mainly based on very good results in the big magazine test a couple of years ago and the fact the the 2Bs are cheaper and lower maintenance than the 3Bs. I sent a photo of my saildrives (mine have an usual extended prop shaft) and Darglow gave me fitting instructions and said that it is easy and they will include any parts I need to convert my saildrives back to standard.

Hope this helps.

Richard
 
Flexofold for choice. will easily meet your maintenance requirements. Mine has been in the water almost continuously for 4 years. Coated in Trilux which lasts two years before recoating. Although the latest 2 blade have an anode, they really don't need it as they are made on nickel aluminium bronze.
 
Tranona said:
Flexofold for choice. will easily meet your maintenance requirements. Mine has been in the water almost continuously for 4 years. Coated in Trilux which lasts two years before recoating. Although the latest 2 blade have an anode, they really don't need it as they are made on nickel aluminium bronze.
Click to expand...

Is the saildrive unit and immersed components made of NAB too?
 
Tranona said:
Flexofold for choice. will easily meet your maintenance requirements. Mine has been in the water almost continuously for 4 years. Coated in Trilux which lasts two years before recoating. Although the latest 2 blade have an anode, they really don't need it as they are made on nickel aluminium bronze.
Click to expand...
thanks - that is useful clarification on the maintenance side - could you comment on ease of installation?
 
Another vote for flex o fold. I have a 3 blade which I bought to replace the fixed prop supplied with my Yanmar Saildrive from new.

It is a well engineered product. I fit prior to launch and remove immediately upon haul out. I follow the fitting instructions to the letter, including torques. It's not a big job.

I also have the Ambassador Stripper and this, too, is a well made piece of kit.

The reason for removal is firstly to clean and inspect it (half and hour job using Brick Cleaner) and secondly to ensure that it doesn't get stolen with the boat on the hard.

Very good propulsion in ahead and astern with no discernible lag from engagement in either direction.

Pre-sale support from Darglow was good, too. Satisfied customer recommendation.
 
NormanB said:
Is the saildrive unit and immersed components made of NAB too?
Click to expand...

No, but it is irrelevant as the prop is electrically isolated from the drive unit. all folding or feathering props (except for the Kiwi) are made of some form of bronze with stainless steel pins. Just some bronzes like the Flexofold are better than others - hence the comment.
 
SAWDOC said:
thanks - that is useful clarification on the maintenance side - could you comment on ease of installation?
Click to expand...

Remove the old prop and slide on the new. supplied with new nut. No different from the standard prop which you have to remove to replace the anode. Darglow will size the prop for you based on the details of your boat and machine it to take a rope cutter if you have one.
 
RichardS said:
I've just ordered 2 Flexofold 2-bladers for my saildrives, mainly based on very good results in the big magazine test a couple of years ago and the fact the the 2Bs are cheaper and lower maintenance than the 3Bs. I sent a photo of my saildrives (mine have an usual extended prop shaft) and Darglow gave me fitting instructions and said that it is easy and they will include any parts I need to convert my saildrives back to standard.

Hope this helps.

Richard
Click to expand...

YM prop test as mentioned: https://www.dropbox.com/s/aq7y3q4k8h7obws/Propellor Test YM.pdf?dl=0

Richard
 
Tranona said:
Remove the old prop and slide on the new. supplied with new nut. No different from the standard prop which you have to remove to replace the anode. Darglow will size the prop for you based on the details of your boat and machine it to take a rope cutter if you have one.
Click to expand...

thanks - thats great. BTW I am not in contact with Darglow - i emailed Flexofold in Denmark directly and they responded by return with the same information you mention.
 
You can buy direct from Denmark but most UK people buy from Darglow because of the excellent service and spot on sizing.
 
davidjackson said:
Another vote for flex o fold. I have a 3 blade which I bought to replace the fixed prop supplied with my Yanmar Saildrive from new.

It is a well engineered product. I fit prior to launch and remove immediately upon haul out. I follow the fitting instructions to the letter, including torques. It's not a big job.

I also have the Ambassador Stripper and this, too, is a well made piece of kit.

The reason for removal is firstly to clean and inspect it (half and hour job using Brick Cleaner) and secondly to ensure that it doesn't get stolen with the boat on the hard.

Very good propulsion in ahead and astern with no discernible lag from engagement in either direction.

Pre-sale support from Darglow was good, too. Satisfied customer recommendation.
Click to expand...


THIS IS is 100% my experience also !

The Kiwi is a lot cheaper but not nearly as good.

Installation is straight forward provided you can get a 22mm socket with a short extension and a torque wrench.

If you are going for a Ambassador Stripper as well you will need to tell Darglow so they can machine the hub to take the Stripper drive lugs. Also get an anode from Amassador as it will need a hole in one of its lugs.
 
Little Grebe said:
Unfortunately my experience of Flex-o-fold prop has been very different. http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?467180-Flex-o-fold-propellor-longevity

This is currently being treated as a warranty issue but as the cost of the haul out and lift in has yet to be resolved.
Click to expand...

Without in any way belittling your problem, it's clear from the responses to your post (inc mine) that it is very atypical and most Flexofold users are very satisfied. In my own case the prop is fine at 8 years/1500 engine hours. However I do know of one other case similar to yours where the prop was replaced after a year. There have been no further problems.
It will be very interesting to hear what explanation the manufacturers come up with.
Agree with Halo re KiwiProp. For a feathering prop I would look at Darglow Featherstream.
 
Hi I have a 120S saildrive with the Volvo folding prop. It works well, I am getting at least half a knot more speed. The metal and construction are excellent. The only problem I am getting is my anodes don't last for more than a year. I used to get around 2 years with my previous 110S saildrive and fixed alloy prop.
 
Plevier said:
Without in any way belittling your problem, it's clear from the responses to your post (inc mine) that it is very atypical and most Flexofold users are very satisfied. In my own case the prop is fine at 8 years/1500 engine hours. However I do know of one other case similar to yours where the prop was replaced after a year. There have been no further problems.
It will be very interesting to hear what explanation the manufacturers come up with.
Agree with Halo re KiwiProp. For a feathering prop I would look at Darglow Featherstream.
Click to expand...

I don't think it is unreasonable to highlight that for some reason such atypical performance can be experienced.

It will be interesting to see the condition of the replacement blades when the boat comes out again in March next year.
 
I ordered a 2 blade flexofold and when it arrived I was surprised to note that the installation and operating instructions which came with the prop were not for the 2 blade model but for the 3 blade model - it seems flexofold have recently decided to add an anode to the two blade assembly similar to the 3 blade . They havent got around to updating the manual -the outdated 2 blade manual is still downloadable from the website.
 
SAWDOC said:
I ordered a 2 blade flexofold and when it arrived I was surprised to note that the installation and operating instructions which came with the prop were not for the 2 blade model but for the 3 blade model - it seems flexofold have recently decided to add an anode to the two blade assembly similar to the 3 blade . They havent got around to updating the manual -the outdated 2 blade manual is still downloadable from the website.
Click to expand...

Well covered here:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...ate-to-recent-Flex-O-Fold-threads-with-photos :)

Richard
 
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