Folding Prop

[rumtoddy1]

I have a Westerly Konsort and am thinking of going to a folding prop as opposed to afeathering one simply on the grounds of simplicity and cost. I have investigated this issue for some time but any real world experience and/or recommendations would be appreciated

 

[Twister_Ken]

I have a Westerly Konsort and am thinking of going to a folding prop as opposed to afeathering one simply on the grounds of simplicity and cost. I have investigated this issue for some time but any real world experience and/or recommendations would be appreciated

A few recent posts on this. Here's one

 

[Tranona]

If you currently have a 2 bladed prop a folder of the correct size will give you at least as good motoring performance. If you have a 3 blade prop you may well suffer from a loss in motoring performance with a 2 blade folding, but a 3 blade folding will be better. However 3 blade folders are expensive and you can get a feathering prop for a similar price. These generally provide better motoring performance and have the advantage that the pitch in reverse can be set independently of forward which leads to better stopping power and reverse performance at low speeds. All types are lower drag than a fixed prop so you will see an improvement in sailing performance, particularly in light airs.

Which you choose depends on your style of cruising. If you do a lot of motorsailing then the more sophisticated props have value. If you are happy with your current performance then it is possible to use a simple folding prop. Cost is of course an important consideration. I replaced a fixed 2 blade with a Flexofold 2 blade and motoring performance is virtually identical. If you have one of those skinny "sailing" 2 bladers a modern folder could even give you an improvement.

 

[Seajet]

I had a Carter 30 with a 13hp Volvo saildrive & simple 2 blade folder; while it might not have the motoring abilities of a small tug as modern boats seem to think essential, I found it completely adequate.

Going astern wasn't brilliant, but I suspect not a lot different from a fixed 2 blader.

There is another advantage to folders of course, they're a lot less likely to pick up weed & ropes etc when sailing.

I'm sure you're wise to this one, but do ensure if going for a simple 2 blade folder that the 2 blades are linked by intermeshing cog teeth; I've met a few people ( admittedly a while ago now ) who had folders with 2 independent blades, often only one blade would flick out, leading to interesting moments and a lot of vibration...

 

[GrumpyOldGit]

I have a Westerly Konsort and am thinking of going to a folding prop as opposed to afeathering one simply on the grounds of simplicity and cost. I have investigated this issue for some time but any real world experience and/or recommendations would be appreciated

We us a Gori 2 blade folding, pulls better ahead and astern than the old fixed but slightly more vibration, good for sailing and getting on and off berth but not great from Dunkirk to Ramsgate in windless conditions. Try for a 2nd hand first, bought mine off ebay for £75 and cannot fault that for a price !!!

 

[JimC]

If you have one of those skinny "sailing" 2 bladers a modern folder could even give you an improvement.

This was exactly my experience. I replaced the 16" x 11" Radice fixed 2 bladed sailboat prop which Hunters fitted to my boat as standard with a Fexofold 2 bladed folder. Darglow Engineering, who supplied the new prop, recommended going down to 10" pitch - I believe this is due to the broad blades of the Flexofold experiencing less slip than the skinny ones of the Radice which were intended to minimise sailing drag. After 2 seasons use I can say the Flexofold is a big improvement in every way: sailing (obviously) and even crash stops and reversing where folders are popularly supposed to be inferior.

Regarding 2 blades versus 3, from what I remember of the YM tests the Flexofolds were at or near the top of the performance tests on most measures, and the 2 and 3 bladed Flexofolds were close together, in fact I think the 2 surpassed the 3 on one measure. I think the best folding props of the present day are probably a lot better than those of even a few years ago.