robavery
Well-Known Member
Does anyone have any experience of Kiwi Props???
Kiwi Folding Props
- Thread starter robavery
- Start date
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Deleted member 478
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FullCircle has them on his pride 'n joy
savageseadog
Well-Known Member
Yes, very good
jofb
Active Member
Have one on my Hanse 400 - excellent bit of kit. Instant response. Recommended.
chamac
Well-Known Member
Got one at the Dusseldorf show after usual Google research. Will be fitting it soon.
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
Kiwi Prop UK an absolute dream on after sales service. Alan Pollard is very knowledgable and delivers when he says he will.
The unit has had an issue in high fouling crustacean areas, in that a mod was made which allowed the reveerse to become jammed, but that is fixed on new units. My unit was replaced wholesale within 3 or 4 days.
The required sizing info was fairly comprehensive, and was made clear to the average owner with diagrams, no issues there.
My SO35 did not conform to expectation on the prop calculation, and I had to fgo up 0.5 inch on blade size and an extra degree on pitch to make the rev/speed balance more economical. Alan posted the new blades out to me within 2 days.
In forward gear flat out, I can just reach max revs at 3850, so quite good, and gives mme 7.9kts weighted 2 way average in flat water.
Reverse will spill your drinks, and is very good indeed.
Sailing probably gives an extra 0.25 to 0.33 knots, but mostly noticeable accelerating out of tacks in light airs much better than my 2 blade fixed.
The prop is quiet in operation, not clunky, and no increase in vibration (provided you have set the blades correctly, and not put antifoul over the blade stops)
Easy to fit, easy to lubricate (worth buying the grease gun/grease kit, quite reasonably priced).
I changed all 3 blades in under 5 minutes using just a hammer and drift.
I have been using an Ambassador Stripper, and they know which model to send when you phone them, as they have been working with Kiwi Prop. It works.
I did have some minor blemishes on the leading edge of one blade due to impact, but I have blended this out with 400 grade wet and Dry, no issue.
I used Trilux on the blades, but as we know nothing is terrifically successful. It did stay on there though.Remember not to clog up the works with the antifouling. It all in the instructions.
As it is made of Zytel and Stainless, no electrolysis issues either.
No one seems to have had a catastrophic failure that I can find on any cruising site, only one blade I can find being replaced, and I could now do that op with a snorkel. Kiwi dont even recommend carrying spare blades, but I do have a couple of spare blade retaining pins.
Sum up, really good value, but not as aestetically pleasing as a beautifully crafted bronze thing.
The unit has had an issue in high fouling crustacean areas, in that a mod was made which allowed the reveerse to become jammed, but that is fixed on new units. My unit was replaced wholesale within 3 or 4 days.
The required sizing info was fairly comprehensive, and was made clear to the average owner with diagrams, no issues there.
My SO35 did not conform to expectation on the prop calculation, and I had to fgo up 0.5 inch on blade size and an extra degree on pitch to make the rev/speed balance more economical. Alan posted the new blades out to me within 2 days.
In forward gear flat out, I can just reach max revs at 3850, so quite good, and gives mme 7.9kts weighted 2 way average in flat water.
Reverse will spill your drinks, and is very good indeed.
Sailing probably gives an extra 0.25 to 0.33 knots, but mostly noticeable accelerating out of tacks in light airs much better than my 2 blade fixed.
The prop is quiet in operation, not clunky, and no increase in vibration (provided you have set the blades correctly, and not put antifoul over the blade stops)
Easy to fit, easy to lubricate (worth buying the grease gun/grease kit, quite reasonably priced).
I changed all 3 blades in under 5 minutes using just a hammer and drift.
I have been using an Ambassador Stripper, and they know which model to send when you phone them, as they have been working with Kiwi Prop. It works.
I did have some minor blemishes on the leading edge of one blade due to impact, but I have blended this out with 400 grade wet and Dry, no issue.
I used Trilux on the blades, but as we know nothing is terrifically successful. It did stay on there though.Remember not to clog up the works with the antifouling. It all in the instructions.
As it is made of Zytel and Stainless, no electrolysis issues either.
No one seems to have had a catastrophic failure that I can find on any cruising site, only one blade I can find being replaced, and I could now do that op with a snorkel. Kiwi dont even recommend carrying spare blades, but I do have a couple of spare blade retaining pins.
Sum up, really good value, but not as aestetically pleasing as a beautifully crafted bronze thing.
JackFrobisher
Well-Known Member
I'd echo everything Fullcircle says. The change from two (fixed) to three Kiwi blades has been well worth it, both in power and sailing performance. Thinking about buying some water skis /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
pessimist
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that. I've been trying to find a comprehensive review of this kit for a while. I think you've just convinced me to go ahead and order.
If it doesn't work I'll know who to blame. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Cheers,
Colin
If it doesn't work I'll know who to blame. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Cheers,
Colin
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
If you want to blame me for anything, you have to marry me first. Thats the rules.
It might please you to learn that I am impendingly chained to be married. It certainly pleases me. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
It might please you to learn that I am impendingly chained to be married. It certainly pleases me. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
phatcat1
Well-Known Member
Second (or third!) FC's comments, fitted one over winter (10 mins actually!)
Fab bit of kit, does everything it says on the tin!
Fab bit of kit, does everything it says on the tin!
TiggerToo
Well-Known Member
and I fourth it. : Kiwi brill, Alan Pollard double brill
pessimist
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
If you want to blame me for anything, you have to marry me first. Thats the rules.
It might please you to learn that I am impendingly chained to be married. It certainly pleases me. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
Ho hum. Snubbed again. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
If you want to blame me for anything, you have to marry me first. Thats the rules.
It might please you to learn that I am impendingly chained to be married. It certainly pleases me. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
Ho hum. Snubbed again. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
billmacfarlane
Well-Known Member
I'm starting my third season with one after severe electrolosis probs with my folding Volvo. No complaints whotsoever. If you do go for one buy the maintenance kit as it makes it a doddle to do.