Buying a Beneteau 373

[capbillh]

I am in the process of buying a used one with the 39 hp Yanmar, coming from a 28 ODay. I want to go to a feathering or folding prop due to the reviews re. the fixed prop. Is the Maxi-prop worth the extra cost over Martec or Gori or Flex? Where has the radar dome been located, mast or pole? But will come later.

 

[agaliha]

Maxi-prop +++++

Captain Bill,I have a B361 with a Maxi prop. My former boat had a Martec folder. The reverse performance is incomparable. I love everyting about it. Yes, it costs more, but now I don't even think about my propeller. You are going to have a lot invested in your new boat (a great choice, I think). What will the piece of mind be worth to know that your Maxi prop will stop your boat's forward progress as you approach a dock, mooring, or danger?

 

[Chris]

Max prop is great...

I put a max prop on our 321 and could not be happier. Much more speed as well as better control when docking. Took a couple a hours to install correctly, but I think I just had too much grease in the initial installation. I would buy another one of these for sure.

 

[Tim]

Check out Autostream too

Check out the Autostream feathering prop too. I am buying a Catalina that has one on it and I like some of the features. Now, I have no experience with it yet, but it operates similar to the MaxProp. It is marketed through Martec, but a link on their website shows that its made in Australia. They are 100% stainless steel as opposed to bronze, and are externally adjustable in both fwd and reverse pitch (easy enough to do in-water). They are also less expensive than the MaxProp. You might want to look into the KiwiProp as well. The Kiwi is about $1300 for all sizes, less than half what a MaxProp costs depending on size.Good luck in your choice, you probably can't go wrong with any of them and you will increase your sailing performance signicantly (speed & pointing ability).Tim

 

[Richard D. Bantsari]

Another Vote for the Maxi=prop on a Ben.373

After installing a Max-Prop with a 20 degree setting I found that the boat responded so much better in 3 areas.Docking was made much more easier because of the full thrust in reverse-This boat tends to have quite a bit of windage.The boat speed is much faster under sail. The 373 does not round up as much because the feathering prop reduces the disturbance of the water flow ahead of the rudder. In other words boat handling was much improved.If you were to decide on the Max-prop set the pitch at 20 to 22 degrees. I would also suggest a donut zinc ( not wider than 1-1/4 inches) placed on the shaft ahead of the prop.Concerning radar, I mounted our radar on the starboard backstay using a stainless steel pole that runs parallel to the backstay. The base for the radar is gimballed.Richard D. Bantsari