Should I have my MaxiProp feathering propeller serviced professionally or is this something I can do myself?

[Tinpeter]

HI. I'd be interested to get any thoughts on whether I should spend ~£600 having my MaxiProp serviced professionally. Obviously a vital bit of kit, but I'm not sure what needs doing or whether it's something I should be able to tackle myself. There's some play in the blades, the MaxiProp has had no attention other than annual cleaning since it was installed some six or so years ago... Your thoughts would be welcome, thank you!

 

[michael_w]

Welcome to the forum.
Fit grease nipple and squidge grease in until it oozes out. My Maxprop has two grease points. I use Blake's seacock grease as it's the stuff I've got onboard.

 

[laika]

Greasing per michael_w's post (except I use grease I bought from darglow: Max-Prop Propeller Grease) is what I do every time I replace the anode. If I wanted something more extensive done (which I haven't in the 9 years since I got the maxprop) I'd be inclined to return it to Darglow when I hauled the boat out. Who quoted you £600 to service it?

 

[macd]

If it's had no attention other than cleaning for six years, then it's no great surprise the blades are a little sloppy: it should be greased every year. Maxprop maintenance is fully covered in the handbook. Stripping, cleaning and rebullding the prop is simple enough, BUT clean the prop as you disassemble it, note the relative positions of all the reference marks (two sets of these) and then write them somewhere they won't be lost. (If you're lucky, a previous owner may have done this for you). Reassembly is again fairly straightforward, if fiddly, but you will need three hands. And, to be on the very safe side, maybe an old mattress under the prop.

If any parts have worn too much, perhaps only a specialist could determine precisely what needs replacing, in which case I'd consult Darglow.

The precise specification of the grease is an Italian state secret so, as laika suggests, buy the prescribed stuff from Darglow. Most greases which might otherwise appear suitable are too viscous. This will become immediately apparent after greasing, as the damn thing will barely feather. If you've lost yours, grease nipples are also available from Darglow, although proprietary ones work much as well.

P.S. I've always found Darglow very helpful and fair dealers.

 

[Tinpeter]

Thank you all - I'm now embarrassed at the lack of attention my expensive propeller has had! But I promise to do better in future now I'm better educated... I have the relative positions/references written down - fortunately noted at time of installation. Thanks all - question answered!

 

[Ian_Edwards]

Hi, I have a Maxprop, it's 12 years old and I grease it every year, but I don't use the very expensive grease, just white cadmium waterproof grease, pumping it in through the grease nipples whilst turning the prop until no more water comes out, as per the maintenance manual. There's no play in the prop and it feathers easily by hand after greasing.
I talked to Dargow a few years ago after looking a boat with a Maxprop, which was badly worn, that is I could waggle a blade and the other blades didn't turn. I guess that the internal mechanism was worn. Dargow said that they could make a limited amount of adjustment, but if there was a lot of play in the blades, the prop was very difficult to repair.
I'd start by packing the prop with grease and seeing how it feels, but if it is really worn, the grease will quickly find a way out and the play will return.
I've also looked a quite number of Maxprops on boats ashore for the winter, and I was surprised by the amount of play in many of them, but they obviously still work. I guess that they are quite robust and tolerant of wear, but I wouldn't be surprised if you heard a clunk when going from forward to reverse, which might not do your gearbox an good.