hi, I would like recomendations and comments on 3 blade feathering props? anyone out there have the new kiwi prop? all comments welcome. thanks In advance later mike
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Installed Kiwi
Checkout the Photo Forum on 83 - 87 Hunter 31, Kiwi Prop Installed, I just installed one this year. Can not believe the improvements it made, money well spent.
Checkout the Photo Forum on 83 - 87 Hunter 31, Kiwi Prop Installed, I just installed one this year. Can not believe the improvements it made, money well spent.
Kiwi prop
I installed a Kiwi prop a year ago on my 87 Hunter 31; so far excellent. Great stoping ability, minimal sailing interference, and very good forward. Great for the money.
I installed a Kiwi prop a year ago on my 87 Hunter 31; so far excellent. Great stoping ability, minimal sailing interference, and very good forward. Great for the money.
About 16 Years with Max Prop
Have had a 2-blade Max-Prop now for about 16 years and love it. 2-blade vs 3-blade: the 2-blade is quite a bit cheaper and they don't require the special zincs on the end. The 3-blade, however, is supposed to have less vibration but never having had one I couldn't say but is sounds reasonable. Also, the clearance between the blade tips and the hull on a 3-blade should be greater because of the slightly smaller diameter. The feathering prop is a fairly big investment so it pays to change those zincs frequently otherwise the prop will pay the price. Advantages (I realize you only asked for comments on 3-blade props, but..) Feathering props: are virtually quiet while under sail - no turblence caused by the prop drag in the water and no spinning prop shaft to wear out your transmission and cause noise. The boat sails nearly 1/2 knot faster (up or down wind) and will make the difference between sailing or motoring in marginal conditions. The boat will track at a higher angle due to the reduced drag >> more VMG! (read: get to your destination sooner). Plus it's a heck of a lot of fun to blow by those boats that don't have feathering props. Our 35 has bested many a 40+ footer in sailing duells! Sailing more means less wear-and-tear on the engine, breathing less cancer-causing exhaust (tailgate effect), and a more enjoyable experience. Isn't that why you bought a SAILboat in the first place? Hope this helps.
Have had a 2-blade Max-Prop now for about 16 years and love it. 2-blade vs 3-blade: the 2-blade is quite a bit cheaper and they don't require the special zincs on the end. The 3-blade, however, is supposed to have less vibration but never having had one I couldn't say but is sounds reasonable. Also, the clearance between the blade tips and the hull on a 3-blade should be greater because of the slightly smaller diameter. The feathering prop is a fairly big investment so it pays to change those zincs frequently otherwise the prop will pay the price. Advantages (I realize you only asked for comments on 3-blade props, but..) Feathering props: are virtually quiet while under sail - no turblence caused by the prop drag in the water and no spinning prop shaft to wear out your transmission and cause noise. The boat sails nearly 1/2 knot faster (up or down wind) and will make the difference between sailing or motoring in marginal conditions. The boat will track at a higher angle due to the reduced drag >> more VMG! (read: get to your destination sooner). Plus it's a heck of a lot of fun to blow by those boats that don't have feathering props. Our 35 has bested many a 40+ footer in sailing duells! Sailing more means less wear-and-tear on the engine, breathing less cancer-causing exhaust (tailgate effect), and a more enjoyable experience. Isn't that why you bought a SAILboat in the first place? Hope this helps.
Reverse
I would like a folding prop...but my wife my take the boat out without me! My 31 prop walks enough....will it degrade my ability to back up? Thanks.
I would like a folding prop...but my wife my take the boat out without me! My 31 prop walks enough....will it degrade my ability to back up? Thanks.
kiwi users
hi, guys what is the top speed now @3400 rpm crusing rpm @2800? any vibration or other noteworthy information? thanks MIke
hi, guys what is the top speed now @3400 rpm crusing rpm @2800? any vibration or other noteworthy information? thanks MIke
Max Prop
We havea Max Prop and we love it! No problems except when hubby the steering dude forgets to fully engage neutral - then the blades don't feather and you hear a whirring sound. Other than that - superb!
We havea Max Prop and we love it! No problems except when hubby the steering dude forgets to fully engage neutral - then the blades don't feather and you hear a whirring sound. Other than that - superb!
Jake
Using a folding prop is a great idea. Yes it is less effective in reverse than a feathering prop, but its much cheaper with a very slightly higher sailing efficiency. Anyone, man or woman, can learn how to use them effectively. The key is PRACTICE!! Go out and learn how to use it, the Mrs too!!(it's NOT a sex thing) I have seen some true idiots at the wheel screw up a docking even with a bow thruster.
Using a folding prop is a great idea. Yes it is less effective in reverse than a feathering prop, but its much cheaper with a very slightly higher sailing efficiency. Anyone, man or woman, can learn how to use them effectively. The key is PRACTICE!! Go out and learn how to use it, the Mrs too!!(it's NOT a sex thing) I have seen some true idiots at the wheel screw up a docking even with a bow thruster.
re Steering Dude
Since this thread is still alive, reading the comment about the "steering dude" makes me think about that club race several years ago - Picture a "drifter", the water was mostly glass and the race committee didn't call the race off and so it started at 2PM in the hopes the evening breeze would finally arrive. Everybody drifted to the start line and around the first buoy and up to the weather mark. EVERYBODY was passing me and I couldn't seem to get any VMG. Boat speed was in the <1kt to a tad over 2kts (when things were good). Of course I had my heavy 110 on insead of the 150 so I assumed that was part of the problem. Later, while basically holding up the rear, I discovered, - the gearshift was in FORWARD! Ouch! With a feathering prop "forward" means the blades are still engaged! Hence the drag. The problem with the slow boat speed is either the shaft wasn't turning so I could hear it was still in gear or it was turning so quietly I couldn't hear. When sailing and with the gear in forward the blades stay engaged. So that's what a fixed-blade prop does to the boat, it acts as a sea anchor. The other boats were not only slowly sailing past me but sailing at a higher angle to boot!
Since this thread is still alive, reading the comment about the "steering dude" makes me think about that club race several years ago - Picture a "drifter", the water was mostly glass and the race committee didn't call the race off and so it started at 2PM in the hopes the evening breeze would finally arrive. Everybody drifted to the start line and around the first buoy and up to the weather mark. EVERYBODY was passing me and I couldn't seem to get any VMG. Boat speed was in the <1kt to a tad over 2kts (when things were good). Of course I had my heavy 110 on insead of the 150 so I assumed that was part of the problem. Later, while basically holding up the rear, I discovered, - the gearshift was in FORWARD! Ouch! With a feathering prop "forward" means the blades are still engaged! Hence the drag. The problem with the slow boat speed is either the shaft wasn't turning so I could hear it was still in gear or it was turning so quietly I couldn't hear. When sailing and with the gear in forward the blades stay engaged. So that's what a fixed-blade prop does to the boat, it acts as a sea anchor. The other boats were not only slowly sailing past me but sailing at a higher angle to boot!
Not Gender
Alan, My wife is tenative at best with the boat. I just want her to have everything working in her favor. She is great with the boat...but she also slammed our new riding mower into our brand new minivan...hence my concern!!! Nothing to do with gender!! If she gets into a spot, she may need that extra moment to recover. I just would like to know if it is a severe difference between the props. Respectfully, Jake
Alan, My wife is tenative at best with the boat. I just want her to have everything working in her favor. She is great with the boat...but she also slammed our new riding mower into our brand new minivan...hence my concern!!! Nothing to do with gender!! If she gets into a spot, she may need that extra moment to recover. I just would like to know if it is a severe difference between the props. Respectfully, Jake
I understand Jake,
...but I can guarantee you that she will be much more competent when she has a number of hours at the helm with practice at making the boat do just exactly what she wants. But to your question, the feathering prop is much superior to the folding prop. Most skippers shy away from them because of the cost. Fixed blade props are cheap but exhibit too much drag while sailing. Folding props are not as good in forward and lack power in reverse. They are highly efficient while sailing. They cost only a little more. The feathering prop has a sailing efficiency very close to folding props, but are far better even than fixed blade props and really shine in reverse. As i already said, they are also the most expensive. My personal choice; I use a Max Prop. Expensive but unbelievably effective and reliable.
...but I can guarantee you that she will be much more competent when she has a number of hours at the helm with practice at making the boat do just exactly what she wants. But to your question, the feathering prop is much superior to the folding prop. Most skippers shy away from them because of the cost. Fixed blade props are cheap but exhibit too much drag while sailing. Folding props are not as good in forward and lack power in reverse. They are highly efficient while sailing. They cost only a little more. The feathering prop has a sailing efficiency very close to folding props, but are far better even than fixed blade props and really shine in reverse. As i already said, they are also the most expensive. My personal choice; I use a Max Prop. Expensive but unbelievably effective and reliable.
mike
Top speed is the hull speed of the boat, in my case 6.7 knots. Thats it! With the Kiwi prop I can reach it at a lower RPM. Around 3000 with No Vibrations. Never had so much control in reverse. And cost 1/3 of a Maxi Prop and installs in an 1/2 hour with simple tools.
Top speed is the hull speed of the boat, in my case 6.7 knots. Thats it! With the Kiwi prop I can reach it at a lower RPM. Around 3000 with No Vibrations. Never had so much control in reverse. And cost 1/3 of a Maxi Prop and installs in an 1/2 hour with simple tools.
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