Folding or Feathering Propeller?

[Sinbad2222]

Are these alternative names for the same thing or is there a difference? I read that Gorri is the best. Is this true and what would forumites recommend I get for my 26 footer?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[cookjwm]

brunton autoprop gets my vote

 

[TigaWave]

I have always understood folding to be blades that shut back together, and feathering to be blades that stay out but pivot as aircraft props do to line up with water flow.

Some folding in my experience have less reverse thrust but you get used to it, feathering should have equal or greater reverse thrust such as the Kiwi prop, whose pitch can be adjusted.

I agree that Bruntons are nice pieces of engineering.

 

[john_morris_uk]

A folding prop has the blades folding together like this:

A feathering prop has the blades pivot so that they are at minimum drag like this:

A feathering prop usually gives better power astern, but with the slightly increased drag from the blades sitting out in the stream all the time. The blades of a feathering prob usually pivot to produce a prop that is equally efficient ahead and astern. They can be more expensive than feathering ones.

A folding prop is often poorer in astern (although thousands of boats cope well enough!)

What is better for your boat? Look at the prices, look at what will fit, pay your money and make your choice.

If you race check that your choice complies with class rules.


PS:


Took too long to reply!

Bruntons are good, but expensive.

Kiwi are cheaper and some people swear by them.

We have a Maxprop.

Refer to pay your money bit above and....

 

[ColinHuggins]

Folding designs have improved so that power astern is as good as ahead.
There have been several threads on just this topic (look under Propwalk) - you'll read my enthusiasm for Darglow's folding prop which completely reversed (sorry!) my opinion of the genre.

 

[Sinbad2222]

Thanks for the advice chaps.
Would I be correct then in saying that a feathering prop is more likely to get tangled up in ropes and would the mechanisms of both types be susceptible to weed,barnacles etc?

 

[savageseadog]

Gori are very good when new, but my experience with a Yanmar saildrive is that they corrode or electrolyse. Went through 2 before trying the Kiwiprop which works very well and doesn't corrode.

 

[yogi]

If you are using the engine just to get out of the harbour Gori will be fine however if constantly using the engine especially in silty water you will probably find the gears are too small. The silt seems to grind them down.
Try Flex-o-Fold, in tests in Practical Sailor it was judged the best of the folders and better than some of the feathering props at a good savings.

 

[kengill]

I chose the Varifold foldding prop. Goes well in reverse as long as you remember that if engaging reverse while still going forward you need a little bit of wellie to ensure the blades open. Gain of 1/2 knot at cruising speeds

I like!

Iff you practice high speed reversing where you want to get up to hull speed in reverse for a long time in poor sea states then you may prefer a feathering prop.

Cheers
Ken

 

[davidbains]

I like my Kiwi prop. Although 26ft might be the bottom of the range for it.
Competitive price and brilliant in reverse. Contact vectamarine.com

 

[kcrane]

We're happy with out Brunton Autoprop