Folding or fixed prop?

[ithet]

Are you sure its the prop making the noise and not something else, like a loose anode or rope cutter that catches in reverse. Until you lift the boat and check you cannot be sure.

 

[dunedin]

Are you sure its the prop making the noise and not something else, like a loose anode or rope cutter that catches in reverse. Until you lift the boat and check you cannot be sure.

Or better use an underwater video camera on a pole, to see it operating in action on the boat in the water.
I did that successfully on a previous boat with a two blade folder, using a cheap endoscope camera (and posted here at the time).

Saved the cost of a wasted lift, and gave more accurate information to see in practice. In that case the issue was a flexible prop shaft connector added by the previous owner, meaning the prop was not close enough to the P shaft. Removed that, checked alignment and solved entirely for next 8 seasons. Prop was not the culprit.

Currently have a three bladed Flexofold folder which is brilliant. Would never have a fixed prop on a sailing boat.
Hope OP gets resolved soon.

 

[rszemeti]

Which reminds me ... I really should sell on this Kiwiprop that is sitting unused in the garage .. I think the previous owner had it on for 2 weeks and then removed it ...

 

[pagoda]

We hav a Featherstream, the extra 0.5 to 0.75 knots when sailing is treasured. I would never go back to a fixed prop.

Went from 2 bladed fixed on our last boat to a 3 blade Kiwi feathering prop. Gained about 0.75Kt under sail. Motoring was fine. Fuel consumption pretty much the same.
Current boat has a 3 blade flex-o -fold which works well. No desire to go back to old design props....

 

[Kelpie]

Which reminds me ... I really should sell on this Kiwiprop that is sitting unused in the garage .. I think the previous owner had it on for 2 weeks and then removed it ...

Hmmm could be tempting, if it's the right size!

 

[Daydream believer]

Try to avoid a feathering prop if you can. I have one & i sail in areas where there are lots of pots, bits of net & polythene etc. I also sail in areas like the Channel islands & N Brittany where some of the weed can be pulled up by fishermen & float in beds. This weed has stems like rope. Get some caught in the prop & inspite of a rope cutter one can find ones prop easily disabled. I know from experience with mine.
With a folder when not motoring any weed should (famous last words) slide off. Of course, a fixed may continue to work, to an extent , if one can accept the vibration & risk damage to shaft etc in emergency. Being able to limp in & out of port, having sailed there ( we have sails) would be an advantage
When motoring weed & pots will always be a problem. Others with experience of folders & fixed will comment, I am sure. However, with seas around our coast as bad as they are,I feel that it is a point worth considering

 

[Travelling Westerly]

Update if anybody is interested;
The Volvo chaps turned up for a look and suspect a gearbox issue so its coming out for a strip down. Good service from dealer but surprised a new gbox would give problems after 30 odd hours. I'll keep the post updated as it goes on