Fulmar folding propellor

[Oscar341]

Hi there, was wondering if anyone had any experience with folding propellors on a westerly fulmar.
Our new to us fulmar needs a new propellor and so far we are leaning towards a 17 inch flexfold 2 blader as it came out really well in a YM test. However, we would really appreciate if anyone with the same setup has any actual experience they could share with us.
The engine is a 28hp beta coupled with a prm gearbox with a 2.1 reduction.
Many thanks
Matthew Walsh

 

[30boat]

I have a Radice on mine with a 20hp Beta.Not very happy with forward but it's very good in astern.

 

[sailorman]

Hi there, was wondering if anyone had any experience with folding propellors on a westerly fulmar.
Our new to us fulmar needs a new propellor and so far we are leaning towards a 17 inch flexfold 2 blader as it came out really well in a YM test. However, we would really appreciate if anyone with the same setup has any actual experience they could share with us.
The engine is a 28hp beta coupled with a prm gearbox with a 2.1 reduction.
Many thanks
Matthew Walsh

Are you able to swing a 17" prop

 

[Oscar341]

I have a Radice on mine with a 20hp Beta.Not very happy with forward but it's very good in astern.

I think i'd be happy withe the reverse of that. I'm on a swinging mooring and rarely go to marinas although I do see how important reverse is then.

 

[Oscar341]

Are you able to swing a 17" prop

This is what Darglow Engineering recommended based on my setup. They seem very competent and helpful.

 

[Tranona]

Will work very well, probably better than a skinny fixed 2 blade often fitted to these boats. Darglow will have plenty of experience in sizing the prop, so take their advice. I have the same type of prop on a saildrive and motoring performance is the same as the standard fixed 2 blade.

 

[Concerto]

I recently fitted a 15x10 RH Gori folding prop to my Fulmar (purchased in Dec 2013) fitted with the same 28hp Beta set up. Performs very well in both forward and astern. The log indicated 6.75 knots at full revs (provided the log is accurate, but I have not checked it yet). At the same time I also fitted a new Tides Marine Series One shaft seal, again performing well with no drips. Why did I choose the Gori from Sillette? Well it was several hundred pounds cheaper and I also had used Gori props in the past without any problems.

Have you looked at the Westerly Owners Forum? Lots of useful info there. You can find a thread on the renovations I have been making on my Fulmar, along with a link for photos.

 

[Oscar341]

Thanks Tranona, good to hear a report from someone who has one fitted.

Concerto, I have indeed followed the story of your renovations and very interesting reading it is too. Thats interesting too about your speed with the Gori prop, think i'll will have another look especially if its so much cheaper. We bought our Fulmar last march and are really happy with it. A few jobs to do in the winter of course, not least the prop business.
Good luck with yours.

 

[greeny]

I fitted the 2 blade flexfold to my Ben 323 this season and am very pleased with it. Has given me 1/2 to 1 knot increase in speed when sailing. Difficult to say exactly how much as the hull is obviously cleaner now as well. (coppercoated). The new prop has not negatively affected forward or astern performance noticeably and I seem to get to hull speed under power at lower revs now. If I change from engine use to sails, I do sometimes have to slip the gearbox into reverse and straight back to neutral after stopping the engine. This makes the prop close up fully. (only if my sailing speed is low).
Only down side for me is a slight increase in vibration as previous prop was a fixed 3 blader. Not an issue as I don't use the engine that much and it's not excessive. The 2 blader has not got an anode fitted and Darglow said it wasn't necessary but I fitted a hull anode nearby as a precaution because the boat relied on the prop anode before and didn't have one on the hull.
Suppled by Darglow after discussions with them and I was very pleased with their input and delivery. Fitting it was a piece of cake.
David

 

[Oscar341]

I think I'll go with the flexofold. Darglow suggest I remove the old propellor - which is an old volvo 3 blade folder which has seen better days - and send them the hub and they will make it up from that. Many thanks for all the replies.
Matthew