New prop for Bavaria 42 with saildrive

[eddystone]

Thought I’d put this on a new thread rather than continue one about why my prop fell off.
Use case:
- will probably do a lot of motor sailing (schedule wind over purism) in Caribbean
- performance in reverse important
- lessen drag when sailing
- low maintenance but skipper (my daughter) is master scuba diver and has demonstrated ability to change shaft anode underwater

Fixed prop only wins on low maintenance. On a budget so forget Maxprop etc. Don’t think conventional folders very good in reverse. Got quotes for Featherstream, which I’ve had on my Sadler for 7 years and Bruntons Autoprop. Autoprop is about 20% more expensive - any thoughts on pros and cons between these two?

 

[Tranona]

This may help Folding and feathering propeller test Although the tests were on a smaller boat the findings do translate to larger. Note that the best performing was the Flexofold 3 blade, particularly in reverse. Some folders, particularly the older style with skinny flat blades were pretty poor but that is no longer true. I had Flexofold on both my Bavarias and never had problems in reverse. Note also that the Bruntons is nearer the bottom on all measures compared with Featherstream. However not convinced that reverse is a big issue where you are going. Likewise motorsailing does not seem to be common compared with the Med where you can long periods of no wind.

For me the choice would be between Flexofold 3 blade or Featherstream. Not a lot of difference in maintenance, but remember as you have the older 120 leg with the small anode degradation of that may be more of an issue than the prop anodes. You can reduce anode degradation of the prop by coating it with Velox on Hammerite special primer or Velox own primer. One of the advantages of Featherstream is the ability to have different pitch in reverse, which is valuable on boats like my old long keelers but less so on saildrives. I have not checked recently but I think both these props are roughly the same price. I don't think you will be disappointed with either - almost a toss of the coin.

 

[eddystone]

Thanks - I will have a look at the Flexofold. The newer deeper anode on the Featherstream seems to last longer but as you say the sail drive anode may need changing more frequently anyway (and clear out the water intake holes)
I never had much luck with Velox, on an older bronze propeller. The Hammerite stayed adhered to the prop but the Velox wouldn't stick to the Hammerite. This year I used Propguard - will know how effective in 5 months time.

 

[dunedin]

We have Flexofold 3 bladed - highly recommended

 

[Tranona]

Thanks - I will have a look at the Flexofold. The newer deeper anode on the Featherstream seems to last longer but as you say the sail drive anode may need changing more frequently anyway (and clear out the water intake holes)
I never had much luck with Velox, on an older bronze propeller. The Hammerite stayed adhered to the prop but the Velox wouldn't stick to the Hammerite. This year I used Propguard - will know how effective in 5 months time.

The important thing with paint is that is stays on to reduce the surface area that is exposed. The anti fouling is in a sense a bonus.