Kiwi props any good?

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ianhud

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Hi all, being a new user ,thought i would ask the experts....i have a gibsea 312 with a 16hp yanmar engine, no probs with this but it has been suggested that one of these Kiwi folding props would improve motoring and sailing performance, the big prob is the cost £900 odd! any thoughts would be greatly appriciated, or any comments if anyone has one. Thanks a lot
Ian
 
Being new on the site, you probably haven't had chance to check out the 'search' link above. If you search 'all forums' for 'kiwi' (in subject heading) in a timeframe of just the last year, you'll get 54 hits*, most of which are about kiwiprops. That should tell you all you need to know.

* correction, probably 55 including this. And counting.
 
I have had two of these and I'm sorry to say that neither worked. No problems going ahead, extra half knot sailing, but going astern was a real problem. The first prop wouldn't pitch astern at all. The second worked for a few months and then developed the same fault.

My theory is that my 18hp Volvo just didn't have enough grunt to rotate the blades against the spring into reverse pitch. If the blades don't go straight into reverse pitch, they stick face into the direction of rotation. This puts a substantial load on the engine causing the revs to drop or even stall. Note that the manufacturer recommends 18hp minimum engine size (I think).

Why did the second prop work for a while? Maybe slightly different manufacturing tolerence, but after it got a bit of fouling around the blade roots and reversing rollers, it was enough to stop the blades rotatig again. Note that you can't antifoul the boss near the blades or the reversing rollers.

That said, the service from Vecta Marine is absolutely first class. Full refund and the loan of the second prop with no quibbles at all. You might therefore want to give it a try, but I think your engine is too small.

What did I do next? I bought a three blade Bruntons varifold. Smoother running, ie less vibration, more power ahead, ie same cruising speed as with the Kiwi Prop at 300 revs less. But, much less power astern, although this is acceptable. (Slightly cheaper as well.)

So, I don't knock the Kiwi Prop and certainly have nothing but praise for the service, but I'd think carefully about the application.

Simon
 
Hi I have just bought a pair for a Dean 44 Catamaran which we are crossing the Atlantic with beginning of February.
So far I have been really impressed with the initial service and help from Alan Pollard at Vecta Marine.
When the props where delivered the firstly the packaging and presentation were impressive but I think the props are a work of art.
Will have loads of feedback after the trip we will have a website
Blog and if anyone is interested will put a link on this Forum?
 
Simon, I followed pretty much the same thought pattern and considered that the 18hp Volvo 2002 in our Westerly was a bit marginal for the Kiwiprop, so I didn't buy. I have heard good reports in other installations and when I posted a query earlier this month got some good responses. Also thought about a Brunton, but they seemed a bit complicated and my inquiries showed them to be more expensive that the Kiwiprop. A guy next to me on the hard standing last winter had problems with fitting a rope cutter with a Brunton. The bolts on the cutter kept shearing. After due consideration we are -- for the time being -- sticking with our bog standard two blade which does an OK job. Although I would like to have more grunt if trying to make against wind and unfavourable tide.
 
Interesting observations about the Kiwiprop - this is the first time I have heard that there is a minimum engine size. I have a Bukh 20hp , but quite old so I would be concerned about the power. BTW I see yourboat is Bootlegger I think I viewed it when it was for sale in Burseledon 3 or 4 years or so years ago. _ hope it has worked out well. I thought the layout of the Tempest was fantastic.

Regards
 
Sam, I am told that Kiwi Props have been successfully fitted to Westerlys such as yours. Jury's still out I guess. Did you look at the Varifold or the Autoprop? The latter came out at about £1600 but I paid £800 for a Varifold with a boatshow discount. Early days yet, but I'm very pleased with it. My only concern when I got it is that it is a <u>very</u> heavy lump of metal. Mind you, this might explain why there is less vibration than the Kiwi Prop.

Simon
 
Indeed it is "Bootlegger of Burseledon" and I'm very pleased you didn't buy her! Having lived with her for four seasons, I'm wondering why more boats weren't built with this layout. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif She'll certainly last us until retirement (or a lottery win).

Simon
 
Do you mean Varifold or Variprop?

One is feathering the other folding go on guess which one!!

I have used 2 Variprops (one on 40hp the other on 75hp) and 1 Varifold none gave any problems.
 
I also have a VP 2002 (18 hp) and fitted a Kiwi last winter. I then logged just over 1300 nm before lifting out for the winter and the prop has worked perfectly throughout. After fitting it I antifouled it all over, making sure once that dried that the blades and the reverse rollers still turned freely. Some small patches of antifoul have been worn off at the roots of the blades, as mentioned by others, but that did not seem to cause any problem. (I wasn't present when the boat came out so couldn't see it before it was pressure washed, but I'm not in a very heavy fouling area.)
 
Which just goes to show: it might be worth a try. Obviously not everyone is as unlucky as me!

My other theories were about 'soft' engagement due to slightly slipping cones, and an engine not quite producing a full 18hp. Mind you, if one of these was the actual cause, then the prop would seem to be at the edge of its 'performance envelope'
 
Hi All,
An update on this. Have fitted these gems now. Must say real head turner in the boat yard - did not get any work done while fitted and onl 'display' to all. Great company to deal with - the UK agent really knows his stuff. Its only possible to give initial feedback - since we are sailing her from St Martin to Croatia at this moment. But even based on the increased control you have - fore and aft - its a winner.
More to come in 3,000 miles time /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Cheers
 
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