Which prop?

[chrisD]

Agree Darglow are very helpful and that a folding prop is invaluable in stopping prop spinning which is very irritating and must cause wear. I have a 10 year old Flexofold that still looks like new when polished up. Any views on Flexofold v Featherstream when the time comes for replacement? Hopefully a long time off as both are pretty costly.

 

[Tranona]

Depends on your objectives and to an extent the type of boat you have. In terms of basic performance under both sail and power there is little to choose between them, but if you are marginal on power a Featherstream may well be better in terms of stopping power in reverse and making headway in adverse conditions. It is also possible to have different pitch in reverse to enhance stopping power. On the other hand if you have plenty of power you may be able to have a 2 blade FlexoFold rather than 3 blade.

These comments are drawn from personal experience of having aa JF featherer (predecessor to the Featherstream) on a heavy wooden boat with a small engine which was set up with large diameter blades and a steeper pitch in reverse which got the most out of the meagre power and better than the original fixed prop. I have a 2 blade on my Bav 33 (and also on the previous 37) with 30hp which on both boats was more than enough power and gives comparable performance to the standard fixed 2 blade. Like yours mine is over 10 years old and in perfect condition even though it does not have an anode. Best thing I have done to it is coat the blades with Velox. Goodbye fouling!

If your boat needs a 3 blade then there is probably not much difference between a folder or featherer in terms of motoring performance except stopping power and reverse.

 

[thalassa]

Kiwi suggest a bottom HP limit of 20 - and a 2GM is 18 on a good day - but almost nothing low down!

They do now, but they didn't at the time of purchase in 2006. Oh, and it would be fine on a drying berth as well...The pittfalls of being an early adopter!