Propeller

[Sailfree]

Variprop now 10 yrs old and done some 3000 hrs.

Last annual grease up it had some pink areas on blades.

Might be time to replace it or return it to Germany for a service.

Boat is 43' Jeanneau with 75HP engine. Both supplier and myself no longer have receipt.

It's 4 blade prop. Can anyone advise on size.

Now boat is no longer a charter boat am considering a folding prop - any recommendation for a 3 or 4 bladed folding prop.

 

[Sailfree]

Been making enquiries a seastream feathering prop looks attractive in SS.

Anyone with experience of a seastream?

 

[Tranona]

Presumably you mean a Featherstream from Darglow. Good bit of kit. Don't bother with sizing yourself, Darglow will do that, and it is adjustable for fine tuning if necessary. They also do FlexoFold if you prefer a folder.

BTW think Bruntons are tthe Varifold agents.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Roger, speak with those lovely people at Darglow. They will be able to give you good advice or both folding and feather products. We have a two blade Flexofold, I think TK has one as well.

http://www.darglow.co.uk/Propellers/Flex-O-Fold/

 

[Sailfree]

Roger, speak with those lovely people at Darglow. They will be able to give you good advice or both folding and feather products. We have a two blade Flexofold, I think TK has one as well.

http://www.darglow.co.uk/Propellers/Flex-O-Fold/

Thanks. I have decided that after 10yrs using a feathering prop (more power astern for charter market) I would try a folding prop but wanted 4 blades for 75HP engine and better power astern.

I did but Darglow folding is only 3 blades and SS feathering is limited to 30mm. My shaft is standard 35mm ISO standard. They machine out the taper to 33mm max so it sits further away from P bracket. Other charter boats report SS feathering prop is noisy (blades are SS and thinner). Previously investigated Darglow other feathering prop but they recommended a bigger hub for charter/heavy use which made it much more expensive than the Variprop. Also pitch cannot be adjusted externally.

I do get a very personal service from 1st marine at Shamrock Quay. I bought my first variprop from Paul Bell when he worked for CQR (before starting 1st marine). Found Paul always v helpful.

Prob being delivered to Guernsey Harbour office so I should be able to fit it next Wednesday. Need to decide whether to dry out ( never done that and Jeanneau has a fin keel) or use a local service.