Kiwiprop

[Vamoose]

I am considering purchasing a Kiwiprop to replace the 3 bladed bucket I drag along every time I go sailing ..

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has any experience either good or bad before I shell out my hard earned cash.

Thanks

 

[Koeketiene]

Full Circle got one last year - sort of raves about the thing.
Drop him a line.

 

[FullCircle]

Hello, welcome to the Forum.

Use the search facility in the menu bar at the top of the page to search on Kiwiprop.
In all, it is a VERY GOOD thing, and it certainly is worth the money, no question.
However, if you are in a high fouling area, the reverse mech bungs up with little critters about 2/3rds of the way through the season, which restricts going astern. However, it still works.
Next season, I am experimenting with soft antifouling mixed with greasse in the reverse mech, which I think should work.

Blades have a high damage tolerance and can be changed in 2.5 minutes for all three - I know, I did it. Very little news on breaking blades, possibly 3 in 7 years I have heard of, with thousands of units and possibly millions of miles.
The UK agent is great, Alan Pollard is dedicated to customer service, so no issues there either.
No issue with electrolytic corrosion either, as it is Zytel and Stainless, so no differential materials to set up an cathode.

Only downside is that it is only available up to 56hp.

 

[Vamoose]

Thanks for the info.. Its a great help.. I am 99% of the way to making the decision and its good to hear from satisfied users..I see Full Circle is on the Crouch, as am I , so I will let you know how I get on

Thanks again

 

[theotter]

I have had one on for 2 seasons now and agree with all that FullCicle says........very pleased. I tried lanolin on the exposed bits to keep the critters at bay (some mixed with chille powder etc etc). I think the critters have a taste for curry because it was a pretty spectacular failure! It is a nuisance no doubt but fortunately I dont have a problem ducking down with a mask on and cleaning it off. Something one has to live with.

 

[freeman]

We have had one for 2 years now.
Very pleased with it and service from Alan pollard
sunbird

 

[alandee]

Hi. Also had one for two seasons now and no problems so far except a couple of nicks out of one of the blades; not bad considering we got a fishing net and a steel fishing hawser wrapped around it which stopped us dead in the water half way across the Channel. It also coped with going through over 250 locks on our way to the Med. One of our better buys at SIBS that year.

 

[wizard]

Fitted one at the beginning of this year and cant believe the difference in power driving into waves dead on and also when sailing we get between half and threequarters of a knot more speed.

The only slight problem going into reverse is that it will stall until you get more positive about putting it into gear and applying the power quickly.

 

[mobeydick]

what engine/drive/ratio do you have, Wizard?

 

[wizard]

I have the Yanmar 2GM20F with saildrive.

You just give your engine and boat details to the Kiwi people and they do the selection of size and gear ratios for you.

 

[JackFrobisher]

Worth every penny. I usually pump some grease into the mechanism about halfway through the season and have had no problems. I agree with everything that the others have said about performance under power and sail.

I have played about a bit with the pitch but found that the factory setting was spot on. Trust the man (Alan Pollard) that makes them.

 

[savageseadog]

Another vote for Kiwi.

 

[TiggerToo]

Had one for two seasons... and I am still raving on about it. Have a word with Vecta Marine (the UK suppliers): they are absolutely brilliant. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Gofrit

 

[mobeydick]

Thanks. The only real negative \i have seen (apart from fouling) on Kiwiprop is the high pitch in reverse that can stall the engine. some people dont seem to notice, for some its a real problem. Could be enbarassing in a marina. If its an issue or not seems to depend on reverse gear ratio and engine size.

 

[wizard]

As I say its not a problem if you are positive about 'ingear and revs on'

If you want to stop quickly (eg in a marina ) the stopping power is awesome from 4-5 knots whereas the previous fixed two blader used to be as much use as an egg whisk

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[billmacfarlane]

Had one for 3 seasons now. No complaints but if you go for one order the maintenance kit with it, which has the right size of nozzle for the grease holes. My nozzle broke off after one season but Vectra sent me a new one FOC.

 

[boatmike]

Also consider a Brunton Autoprop... More expensive but IMHO better.

 

[davidbains]

I found that increasing the tick over speed of my 2GM20 stopped it stalling when engaging reverse. Most gearboxes have a higher ratio in reverse and can handle the power if you are positive about applying it as Wizard says. I am much more confident about close quarters manouvering in my multihull now I have a Kiwi prop, and the much lower sailing drag is quite noticeable especially in light airs. A brilliant and cost effective prop.

 

[SimonD]

Hate to naysay, but I can't recommend it. I had two. The first wouldn't go into reverse at all, the second worked for half a season before giving up. There is no doubt that the reversing rollers gum up with fouling and at that point, you'd better have enough engine power and prop speed to get the blades to reverse pitch or it will simply stall the engine. Personally, I can't see the wisdom in having a vital bit of kit under the water that relies on a fiddly bit of metal not getting jammed with fouling.

That said, the service from Vecta Marine is first class.

Simon

PS Finally replaced it with a Bruntons varifold. Even less drag, smoother running (cos of more weight) and better perfromance ahead (cos of better balde shape)