New s/s duoprop set

[Observer]

Looking to buy a spare s/s duoprop set for KAD300/DP-G (part #3857495). Steel Developments' price is £799 + VAT. Any other possibilities for improved price?

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[duncan]

tried a pm to Depsol........?

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[Hydropool]

I can't beleive Kevb hasn't replied to this yet 'cause he's just about to buy a new set of duoprops for his sportscruiser........ And if he's a really good boy SWMBO might let him a have a set of Stainless Steel ones!

Perhaps he's on a long "Power Lunch"?

<hr width=100% size=1>What do you mean we've run out of drink?

 

[KevB]

Holding off till the boat show, might get a good deal. And besides, due to the huge cost of new SS props hoping to finalise the deal sipping champagne in the Hydropool "quite lounge"


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[Dave_Snelson]

Why S/S??

Sure, £799 is a damn good price but why SS? Steel Dev make good performance aluminium props - and there are two very good reasons not to use SS.

1) If you touch a submerged object with SS props, instead of the prop bearing the brunt, your drive shaft will. Then you will understand what expensive really means!

2) The aluminium of the leg is a natural cathode to SS and the slightest paint scratch will start a battery like corrosion, with your leg being the first to be eaten away. Ouch - now that is expensive!

SS may have good looks (which you can't see in the water anyway) but they pose too great a risk - avoid!

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[davedpc]

A frind of mine has ss props on volvo kad 43 moored on the Hamble and now has to change his anodes twice a year. Dave.

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[DepSol]

Should have doubled up on his Bar anode.and got the longer bolts


<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[Observer]

Re: Why S/S??

Dave,

Yes - I know the s/s is an issue on galvanic corrosion but they're already fitted. Do you suggest I should switch to aluminium? What about loss of performance? I don't give a damn about appearance but I don't want to find there's a big perfomance sacrifice.

I suppose I could get 4 new ali props for the price of 2 s/s ones and there would be saving in anodes/lifts etc. But, if ali props are such a good idea for these legs why do VP fit s/s as standard?

Just checked on Steel Development's site - they don't offer aluminium in the C4 size.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://aflcharters.co.uk>Dream Dancer</A><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Observer on 07/09/2004 17:56 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[DepSol]

Re: Why S/S??

There si too much load going through the ally props which can lead to them breaking apart. Had to switch to SS on my KAD 43 for said reason.

I also like the performance increase and am willing to double up on bar anodes for this. By the way I have some MG DUFF anodes in stock for VP Duo props. Are they any good?

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[Observer]

Re: Why S/S??

Last time I looked, it wasn't the bar anodes which were going - it was the ring anodes. So I'm not sure that doubling up on the bar anode is going to do very much good. Could vary from one boat to the next?

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[DepSol]

Re: Why S/S??

JUst Volvo recommend you double up on bar anodes but your right ring one dissapears quite quickly too.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Re: Why S/S??

Unfortunately you may have answered your own question when you say that Steel Dev don't stock ali C4's - you seem to have no choice.

If you did have a choice you would find...

1) Ring anodes don't dissappear as quickly

2) Well made aluminium propellors don't disintegrate

3) Well made ali props give good performance

So what constitutes "well made"? - Blade and root thickness / purity of cast / blade and cup shape etc.

Don't take my word for it, check with VP by all means. Maybe there's a reason for producing C4's in SS (weight of boat etc). My Windy is 3.25 tonnes and cracks along at 46kts with two V6 Vortecs on VP 290 duo props - aluminium.

In no way am I trying to put you off SS - its your boat and your money after all. A phone call to Steel Dev or VP may give you the vital clue as to your next purchase. Do let us know how you get on.

Cheers
Dave

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[Will_M]

Re: Why S/S??

There is no such thing as an alu C4, I suppose the comparison would be to the ‘B’ series aluminium propellers when talking about KAD43/DP. Although you should not compare a C4 to say a B4, the comparison is more likely to be C4 to the B6 for a boat speed, I am guessing at this point, of about 35kts.

However the current thinking/recommendation is that all 6cyl KAD series engines use s/s ‘C’ series DP propeller sets.

As mentioned on this post, if switching to or already using s/s DP propeller sets, at very least the bar anode pn.852835 should be doubled, this is achieved with the longer bolts pn.963701 and spacers pn.854486.

The other point to consider is, if you are unfortunate enough to ‘pick something up’ whilst motoring, if you run alu props the chances are the props will be badly damaged, but with any luck that is all that will damage. Imagine the same scenario and s/s props, again the props will no doubt damage, however being a stronger/tougher metal, you may very well break/bend something else, something else being part of the outdrive!

For example, a 1.78:1 DP-E outdrive, as could be fitted to a KAD43P, the two drive shafts alone would set you back, at retail, £2k ……

 

[Observer]

Re: Why S/S??

Thanks for that Will. This post may also be helpful to other KAD300/DP-G owners.

I've spoken to VP parts/technical support. The s/s prop set is recommended for KAD300 because they found the additional rigidity of s/s eliminates/reduces cavitation (ventilation?) which was apparent with aluminimum props because of the high power output of the KAD300/KAD44 engines.

Regarding additional risk of damage with s/s, I was informed there is a 'sleeve' in the leg which will fracture if the prop strikes something with sufficient force, which will protect the gears. Would have to split the leg to to replace it but not a disaster.

So - looks like I am stuck with s/s or risk prop ventilation. On balance, I'll stick with the s/s.

Will_M, by the way, is VP sales manager at BA Peters. He very helpfully (and enterprisingly) sent me a pm when he saw my original post offering a price on new s/s prop set considerably lower than the best I'd had elsewhere. So - if anybody else is in the market for new VP parts, it would be worth giving Will a call to see what he can offer.

Thanks Will and my order is on its way.


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