Fixed blade vs. folding blade prop

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John

I currently have a 14X10 three blade fixed prop on my 83 H31 (with Yanmar 2GM12). I am considering a folding prop to increase my speed when at sail; yet, I don't want to lose any speed/torque when motoring. Does anyone know if there is a loss of motoring performance with a folding prop?
 
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Tom FitzGibbon

Feathering Prop = Loss of Performance

I can't comment on a folding prop, but I can tell you that when we bought our H33 2 years ago, it had a 2-blade feathering prop on it and performance under power was terrible! We replaced the prop this Spring with a 3-blade fixed prop (14x11) and performane has improved remarkably. A folding prop may be better, but I would stay away from a feathering prop. Tom FitzGibbon s/v Plan B
 
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Brad Cavedo

Folding Prop Great

We have the P42 with a 17x15 2 blade folding by flex-o-fold. Cruise at 7.9, which is .2 less that with the 3blade fixed the boat came with. Go as much as 1 knot faster under sail. The reason I prefer folding is that it is much smaller under sail than feathering and the folding blades are hydrodynamically shaped. You get more push from them. Feathering blades are flat so the can work either direction and be smooth under sail. That means loss of power under power.
 
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Ed Schenck

Happy with Flex-O-Fold.

Just replaced mine after a season with the original two-blade. Replaced with a Flex-O-Fold, the cruising variety, not the racing prop. Motors better in all directions. See their web-site(http://usboat.com/jensen/). It's really heavy-duty and I installed it in about 15 minutes.
 
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John

3 blade folding?

Do they make a 3 blade folding? I like the starting and stopping torque I get with my fixed 3 blade.
 
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Ed Schenck

Ed replies.

Yes, Jensen Marine makes a 3-blade folding also. And my original prop was a 2-blade, 15x12 I think. The new Flex-O-Fold is also a 2-blade but do not know the "dia. x pitch". Give them a call at (905)-845-4837.
 
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Michael O'Mara

Gori Folding Prop

We went with the Gori 2 bladed (geared) folding prop 15 years ago and have never regretted the expense. Since it's geared it always opens and provides a real advantage when sailing against somebody with the old fixed prop! Contact Jensen Marine.
 
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