Chris_Mardon
New Member
I'm thinking of buying a Flex-o-fold 2 blade folding prop. Does anyone have any long term experience of this product who can vouch for its reliability.
Flex-o-fold propellers
- Thread starter Chris_Mardon
- Start date
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Excellent product. Better material and construction than the main alternatives. On my boat (saildrive) performance same as the fixed 2 blade Volvo prop except for slight delay from stationary in reverse - common to most folders.
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
Same here, three years use, perfect, buy no other!
earlybird
Well-Known Member
I've had 2 Flex-O Fold 2 bladers on my present boat, one for 8 years, the other for 2 years since re-engining. No problems at all.
Thrust ahead is very good. Opening in astern is also good, though stopping power could be better!
Thrust ahead is very good. Opening in astern is also good, though stopping power could be better!
JimC
Well-Known Member
Four years use of a Flex-o-Fold 16"x 10" 2 blader driven by a Yanmar 2GM20 on my Hunter Channel 31. Completely satisfied. It replaced the Radice fixed 2 blader which was Hunter's standard fit. About 1/2 - 3/4 knot faster in forward and (contrary to received wisdom about folders) better crash stops and reversing. The Flex-o-Fold's blades are much wider and thicker than those of the Radice (which was a narrow-bladed sailboat prop) and seem to get a better grip on the water.
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greeny
Well-Known Member
Fitted one at the beginning of the year. Very easy to fit and assemble once the old prop is off. Instructions were good. I fitted the 2 blade flexofold to replace the old fixed 3 blade. It's given me 1/2 to 1 knot sailing speed increase. Under power it pushes the boat to cruising speeds at much lower engine rpm (2300 instead of 2800rpm). I've not noticed much difference if any when berthing in the marina, astern is the same as it always was with the fixed 3 blade. Overall, very pleased with the purchase.
KAM
Well-Known Member
Sounds good at what speed do you get the 1 knot speed increase. What sort of boat is it.
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
PS. Darglow are lovely people to deal with.
cmedsailor
Well-Known Member
Do you still get the same maximum rpm as with old prop?
charles_reed
Well-Known Member
I think you have it wrong about "recieved wisdom" re crash stops and reversing - ALL folders have a justifiably poor record in this department. Radice, as one of the cheapest folders on the market has a number of known performance and longevity issues.
On a more positive note - having been a customer of the manufacturers for 24 years, though not for the Flex-o-Fold, - I can vouch for their after sales service and general support.
JimC
Well-Known Member
The Radice prop I replaced was a fixed one not a folder
The received wisdom (i.e. the normally quoted opinion) is as you say that ALL folders are poor in this regard. I am saying that the Flex-o-Fold is better than at least one type of fixed blade prop. I have not got it wrong. I am speaking from personal experience of a direct comparison with no other variables involved.