Folding Propellor

[langstonelayabout]

I'm looking to buy a folding prop for my Catalina 270.

I've just had a quote from the firm who supplied me a 13" flexofold for my last boat and they've recommended me a prop that is 2" bigger and double the price.

Does anyone have any recommendations for folding propellors (2 or 3 blade, about 15" fitting a 1" shaft) that will fit my boat? The lower the price the better.

Thanks in advance

 

[earlybird]

Tests show that the Flex-o-fold is probably the best-performing folder. If you buy cheaper, say Radice, you will pay the price in terms of performance under power.
Should add, I've used both makes.
2 blader is obviously cheaper than 3- blader, and little difference in thrust etc. according to tests.

 

[Halo]

If you are on tight budget then kiwi prop is cheaper. If you can afford it then go on darglow recommendation for a flex o fold
(No connection but a well satisfied customer )

 

[MagicalArmchair]

I just went through this process with my Albin Ballad 30 - http://www.albinballad.co.uk/how-tos/fit-a-flexofold-propeller/

There is a link to a good YM article on different props. Flexofold worked out cheaper than kiwi for me... Best advice is talk to Darglows! Awesome lot...

edit: http://www.darglow.co.uk/

 

[bignick]

Out of curiosity, was their recommendation correct for your last boat?
If it was then I would be wary about going for anything smaller as many of the specialists (such as Darglow) will have a better idea than anyone else about what prop would be the best for your boat
Or are you just looking for cheaper alternatives to flexofold?

 

[Tranona]

Flexofold is the best value - even though the Radice is cheaper - it is less well made and does not perform as well. As already suggested not sensible to compare sizes for different boat engine combinations. Reputable suppliers will supply the correct size for their prop which might not be identical to the recommendation for another make of prop. For instance my boat came with a 16*13 fixed but the FlexoFold is a 16*11.

 

[Concerto]

Have a look at a Gori 2 bladed from Sillette. When looking a couple of years ago I choose this over the FlexoFold as it was cheaper and had previously used Gori folding props without any problems. My Fulmar performs well with the 15x10 on a Beta 28hp, in both forwards and reverse. Having chatted to them at the London Boat Show I received a 20% discount and free carraige and brought the price to £532 in Feb 2014. Since then the Danish Krone has weakened against the pound, so should be similar price or lower.

The Gori is better made than the Radice, so could be a wise choice.

 

[Noahsdad]

I bought a two blade Flex-o-fold last year.
It was much cheaper to buy direct from the factory in Denmark than go through the UK distributors.
Cheaper postage too.

 

[MagicalArmchair]

I bought a two blade Flex-o-fold last year.
It was much cheaper to buy direct from the factory in Denmark than go through the UK distributors.
Cheaper postage too.

We went direct and it was cheaper and the manufacturers were very helpful - however, do read that write up I did above of our fitting process if you go this route. Darglows take delivery of your old prop and nut and then machine the new prop hub to fit your shaft perfectly - so every prop they send out is bespoke to fit your taper. That wouldn't have helped me, as the old prop only fitted the taper at about 20% of its circumference!!