Flex o fold

[Budgieboy]

Hi Folks

Just purchased a 3 blade flexofold for my boat , beautiful bit of engineering but hit the budget and worth more than the boat !!! is there any maintenance I need to be weary of ? or any tips too keep these things in working order ? ......... regards :encouragement:

 

[Twister_Ken]

Only thing I do (2-blader) apart from changing the anodes and cleaning off the flora and fauna, is to fill the 'cogs' with waterproof grease.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Like TK, I could only afford a two blade jobbie. To clean it end of season I soak it in brick cleaner and polish off with scotchbright.

 

[Malo37]

Only thing I do (2-blader) apart from changing the anodes and cleaning off the flora and fauna, is to fill the 'cogs' with waterproof grease.

I have a Flexofold 3 blade. You should never grease the 'cogs' which are a loose fit and designed to operate freely in water. Grease could collect sand/grit and increase wear dramatically or even lead to jammed blades.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I have a Flexofold 3 blade. You should never grease the 'cogs' which are a loose fit and designed to operate freely in water. Grease could collect sand/grit and increase wear dramatically or even lead to jammed blades.

Interesting - the grease was the recommendation of the guys that service the engine. I feel an email to Flexofold - or Darglow - coming on.

 

[Stork_III]

Interesting - the grease was the recommendation of the guys that service the engine. I feel an email to Flexofold - or Darglow - coming on.

http://www.flexofold.com/maintenance/

 

[Malo37]

Ok - defer to that but it's opposite of what the Flexofold man told me by email. Maybe both are ok.

 

[Skylark]

Here's mine:-

Taken a few weeks ago at the final fitting test. I think I'll fit it the day before launch and have an armed guard stand duty over night. Even, allegedly, bought in the Autumn quiet season with a discount, the price of prop and cutter was eye watering.

The web link is a bit ambiguous isn't it?

"The pivot pins and gears are water lubricated, however, adding waterproof grease to the moving parts will help the folding and unfolding"

The blades fold on the pivot pins and gears.

 

[wiggy]

Here's mine:-

Taken a few weeks ago at the final fitting test. I think I'll fit it the day before launch and have an armed guard stand duty over night. Even, allegedly, bought in the Autumn quiet season with a discount, the price of prop and cutter was eye watering.

The web link is a bit ambiguous isn't it?

"The pivot pins and gears are water lubricated, however, adding waterproof grease to the moving parts will help the folding and unfolding"

The blades fold on the pivot pins and gears.

Tie a black bin bag covered in grease over it, will be invisible at night and put of inquisitive fingers.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Y'eretiz is black and white…

"The pivot pins and gears are water lubricated, however, adding waterproof grease to the moving parts will help the folding and unfolding."

 

[snowleopard]

I don't know how the blades of the 3-blade version are secured but on the 2-blade there is just a set screw holding the pivot pin in place. I once lost a blade which was very expensive - you have to buy them in sets.

 

[Sailfree]

Had my feathering prop for 9 yrs and some 300hrs now but if boat is not on charter (feathering prop best for quick stop!) when replacement time considering a folding. Just polished it every year and greased it and its lasting better than I expected - now got slight play in blades but I think its OK for another year or so! I understand that new designs have reasonable power astern - any comments? What approx price for 43' 75HP engine, shaft drive.

 

[JimC]

I understand that new designs have reasonable power astern - any comments?

My boat came with a Radice fixed two bladed prop. After a couple of seasons I changed to a FlexoFold two blader. On the folder the blades are much broader than on the fixed prop, presumably because water drag when sailing isn't a consideration when the blades are folded in line with the flow. Using the folder I get a better forward speed by about half a knot and much better crash stops and reversing. This is the opposite of what one is told to expect when changing from a fixed to a folding prop. I believe it's due to the FlexoFold's broad blades, accurately machined to an aerofoil section, and the weight distribution which makes them open instantly and pull hard when banged into reverse for a crash stop.

 

[Skylark]

I don't know how the blades of the 3-blade version are secured but on the 2-blade there is just a set screw holding the pivot pin in place. I once lost a blade which was very expensive - you have to buy them in sets.

Ouch! that must have been expensive. Do you have any idea why the blade did a runner?

The instructions are quite prescriptive for bolt torques and the original bolts are of the thread seal type, The instructions also recommend the application of thread lock for subsequent season fitments.

Should I now be paranoid about losing a blade as well as having a poxy saildrive, cone clutches and vulnerable friggin leg seacock.

 

[Daydream believer]

A different make of prop but I have a Brunton 2 blade. I have had it 7 years & have just been presented with a bill for £ 350-00 for new bearings, a new rubber internal section & new metal parts.
Bit of a shocker as I had not realised when i spent an arm & a leg for it that it needed such servicing

Add to that the "stripper" rope cutter being knackered and need replacing at a cost of £ 498-00 ( Unless I can make my own bearings for it) & the whole lot has been an unexpected shock

 

[MoodySabre]

Add to that the "stripper" rope cutter being knackered and need replacing at a cost of £ 498-00 ( Unless I can make my own bearings for it) & the whole lot has been an unexpected shock

The bearings in my Stripper are nylon and new ones came as part of a reasonably priced service kit which includes new allen bolts in case you bugger the old ones up.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Does anyone make a folding or feathering prop from non metallic materials? This would reduce the corrosion annode problems at leats

 

[Twister_Ken]

Does anyone make a folding or feathering prop from non metallic materials? This would reduce the corrosion annode problems at leats

Kiwi prop. Made from kiwi fruit, I think.

Here's a picture of one…

Website…

http://www.kiwiprops.co.nz/cms/index.php

 

[Daydream believer]

The bearings in my Stripper are nylon and new ones came as part of a reasonably priced service kit which includes new allen bolts in case you bugger the old ones up.

Firstly, having researched materials for this, I do not believe the material is nylon. I did consider delrin but went for tufnol
Secondly the manufacturer says the new bearings they supply will not fit as the metal parts are worn & they would be slack
Thirdly I seem to recall they wanted £ 50-00 or there abouts for 3 or 4 discs of whatever material they use to make these from
Finally the socket heat bolts bolts are 5mm ss which can be obtained from screwfix for a reasonable price. However, 2 No. 5mm bolts have been found to be insufficient as they shear off at the sight of a rope & they now fit a third bolt. I have increased mine to 6mm ones