Kiwi prop on a westerly conway and drag reduction.

[stav]

Anybody fitted a kiwi pprop on a westerly conway? Have you been happy with it? Broken any blades? Also will the drag be much less than a rotating 3 bladed prop?

A variprop would be my choice but at £2000 simply out of the question.

Not going to cross oceans but keen for her to be a satisfying sail after work when there is a good breeze.

Thoughts? Thanks?

Also have a behind mast vertical reefing maxiroach main. Would changing this back to a conventional main provide a better sail? Which should I spend my bear tokens on, new normal main (£1200) or a Kiwi prop or a roller genoa? Bearing in mind I do not have the money in he bank but some space on the credit card.

 

[Norman_E]

Any feathering or folding prop will make most difference in light winds, simply because the drag of a fixed propeller is a higher proportion of available sail power when the wind is light. In a really strong wind you will get to hull speed with any propeller.

For my somewhat larger boat I fitted a Max Prop, but for an alternative to the Kiwi Prop you might look at Darglow's Featherstream which is made in sizes up to 20 inch diameter. Most owners with Kiwiprops seem satisfied however.

 

[alant]

Anybody fitted a kiwi pprop on a westerly conway? Have you been happy with it? Broken any blades? Also will the drag be much less than a rotating 3 bladed prop?

A variprop would be my choice but at £2000 simply out of the question.

Not going to cross oceans but keen for her to be a satisfying sail after work when there is a good breeze.

Thoughts? Thanks?

Also have a behind mast vertical reefing maxiroach main. Would changing this back to a conventional main provide a better sail? Which should I spend my bear tokens on, new normal main (£1200) or a Kiwi prop or a roller genoa? Bearing in mind I do not have the money in he bank but some space on the credit card.

Unless you are able to tweak rig for speed improvement, can't see the point in a folding prop on a boat like a Conway. Hardly a greyhound, so why worry about drag.

I'd go for more effective/manageable sails.

Ask yourself,
(1) what is actually wrong with the main, why do I think it needs changing?
(2) Am I set up for foredeck working, or do I need a roller genny, cos of shorthanded sailing. What headsails do you currently have?
(3) Why am I unhappy about current sail set up & why am I considering spending more money? Identify that & you will be better placed to deal with answer.

Don't buy anything cos the salesman at the boatshow tells you "its the best thing since---", or because someone else at the club has got one.

Buy, only when convinced it makes a difference to your enjoyment.

 

[BlueChip]

I fitted a Kiwi Prop this season to replace a CJR 3 bladed folding prop on a Yanmar sail drive. The old prop had worn bearings and was uneconomic to repair
There is no doubt the Kiwi Prop has significantly more thrust in reverse, in forward I don't see much difference in performance.
What is disconcerting though is the prop noise when starting up before the boat is moving through the water; it’s very much like the noise I got when the CJR prop was fouled, once the boat is moving the noise goes away.
I also find that the Kiwi Prop is much more susceptible to pick up weed and be slightly out of balance and cause vibration, I never had that with the folding prop.
If I was buying a new propeller today, I would buy another 3 bladed folding prop.