Folding Prop?

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scopas

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Hi
I have a Saildrive on a Volvo 2020 and would like to upgrade to a folding prop as I need some extra speed. Can anyone give me some pearls of wisdom about the best one to go for? Gori? Volvo? Speed and ease of use / simplicity are my key criteria!
Thanks in advance...
Matthew
 
I only have experience of my current folder; a 2-bladed Volvo folding prop with the 2030. It works fine for me and I've had no problems ahead or astern, though a little more welly astern helps. I believe the Volvo 3-bladed folder has a better performance, and lower revs are needed when motoring, though the prop is more complex and expensive.
 
The Volvo 3 bladed prop is the best, we mucked about trying others and it really is superb, simple and needs no maintenance except an oil and clean at haul out, I would not even consider the kiwi prop as around us everyone who has tried them seems to have some trouble.
 
I have a 2-bladed prop driven by a V2030. I have no problem except when going from fwd to astern, a count of two helps prior to putting it astern.

"To get extra speed from a folding prop", how much more would you get if you just pop it in astern whilst sailing? It works for me on our other yacht, about a half a knot extra.

I've heard good bad and indifferent about the Kiwi, nearly went for one, but seeing as it aint broke, I aint gonna try to fix it.
Al.
 
I shall be replacing our fixed 3-blade prop with a Gori 2-blade folder this winter; had this on our previous boat and it was fine and not too expensive!
 
Thanks all - as ever considered responses. I will be doing a little more research, the Volvo 3 blade folder sounds good. I just need to consider anode replacement and corrosion etc..
 
My Gori 3 blade is excellent; it transformed our sailing,and we get good fuel economy when sailing.
The prop anodes are one big ring anode for'd and a small nut anode - neither were corroded after a year, though the shaft anodes were well wasted. The prop itself is still gleaming metal under the Propshield that was applied.
 
My Volvo two-bladed folder fitted to a sail drive showed worrying signs of corrossion after just one season so I replaced it with a Seahawk stainless steel two bladed folder which I am very pleased with.
 
I am very pleased with the Bruntons varifold I fitted this spring

I had a 3 bladed fixed previously
The Varifold ahead is as good if not better
Sailing its added up to 1 knot in some conditions
Astern... Like all other 2 bladed folding props you need to whistle down to the engine room well in advance of needing to go astern.. But once its burning and turning its OK (But not wonderful) But there again I knew that before I bought it.
 
Why "upgrade" to a folding prop, have a look at feathering props here
A nice piece of kit and minimal maintenance.
Also pitch is user adjustable both ahead and astern.
---------------------
hammer.gif
Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity
 
We have a Volvo 2 blade folder on our Volvo 20 HP saildrive. All is fine except when it really matters. Once or twice when motoring into a strong wind in something of a chop there is a sudden change from good push to eggbeater. The 4.5 knots or so which it manages against the conditions suddenly drops to 2 or 3 knots as the prop seems to cavitate more. A small additional gust to the wind or a bigger wave can trigger it and you have to steer off from the wind/sea to get going again. Perhaps we are slightly underpowered but I am tempted to try perhaps a Kiwi or 3 bladed folder or featherer.Anyone else get this problem?
 
[ QUOTE ]
From a sample of one friend (I have others), I would agree about the Kiwi Prop being potentially unreliable.

[/ QUOTE ]

Strange, mines lasted a full season and has been totally reliable, plus I can change blades more easily than any other, I have no prop walk, my sailing performance is great and it cost half any other.

So from a sample of one (me) I would agree that the KIWI prop is potentially really reliable and a great buy!!!!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
From a sample of one friend (I have others), I would agree about the Kiwi Prop being potentially unreliable.

[/ QUOTE ]

Strange, mines lasted a full season and has been totally reliable, plus I can change blades more easily than any other, I have no prop walk, my sailing performance is great and it cost half any other.

So from a sample of one (me) I would agree that the KIWI prop is potentially really reliable and a great buy!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine was taken back by the dealer, after having to end the season mid August in two consecutive years, and the reverse started jamming. This accounted for some unwelcome incidents in Dutch locks. Engine would cut out too when reversing out of my box. On the plus side, blade strenght isn't an issue, and harbour manoevering is very easy. Now that I think of it, fuel consumption was 15% higher than my fixed two-blader.
Sorry for the thread drift.
 
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