Fixed vs Folding Prop

markwbird · Nov 7, 2014

I switched from a two blade fixed to a two blade folding prop. I was warned ahead of time about the disasters that would ensue. I have not had a problem. It's all about how you want to use your boat. For me, it's all about the sailing. The engine is auxiliary. The folding prop makes a significant difference in speed under sail. I like that. As for performance under power, I can do about 6 knots and I can stop the boat in reverse. Maybe not as well as with a fixed prop but I do not plan to enter any sailboat stopping contests so it's all good.

Slider · Nov 7, 2014

Elan

Elan is a Beneteau 37. Just spent $1800 for a varafold 3 blade folder. Original equipment was 3 blade fixed. The folder is smoother and less prop walk to the left. I enter the slip at about 1.5K, no problem stopping for tie-up.

No question about the performance under sail. If you do any kind of racing even if it is just a race home between friends you will do better with the folder!

Joe2954 · Nov 7, 2014

I have used both a feathering 3 blade kiwi and a 3 blade fixed prop on a 343. The kiwi actually has better stopping power than the fixed. It probably has a little more prop walk as well but since I use the walk to back into my slip I prefer it.
The only problem with the kiwi has been it not wanting to flop into reverse unless lubed more frequently than I can afford.

Anonymous 121765 · Nov 7, 2014

Tony,

When I bought my boat, it was a club racer in the cruising class.
It had a folding 2-blade prop.

I HATED THIS PROP MAN. I couldn't back up to save my life. I couldn't make headway in conditions. I used to have to stay to the side & wait for all the boats in-line to go first under bridge opens. This all stopped when I got a fixed 3-blade.

A folding prop is fine if you're a club racer. Run around the marks & head home. For this, a folding prop is the right prop. However, if you cruise as opposed to racing, have to deal with current, seas & winds, a fixed prop is your best choice. 2 or 3 blades will ALSO be your choice.

Some will jump all over me for this post & that's fine cause, what it all comes down to is what type of boating you want to do. Answering that question & you will have your answer. If you cruise, in the above conditions, a 3-blade prop may be what you want. The downside is that it may cost you a tenth of a knot.

CR

Steve Dion · Nov 7, 2014

If you are looking for a fixed 3 blade, you may want to put the Campbell Sailor prop on your list.

Les · Nov 7, 2014

I've used a 3 blade fixed (OE) and a 3 blade Max prop on a Hunter 380 and our present Hunter 27. I gained about a half knot with the Max prop with the Hunter 380 under sail under normal conditions. I haven't even tried to assess how the Max prop improves the 27.

Over the years I've had a number of new sailboats, some of which I raced. Because of that I've tried all types of fixed and folding props. I always had some sort of prop walk with all those propellors. I had significant prop walk with the 380 with the original prop but once I switched to the Max prop I gained significant improvement with my boat from increase speed under sail, better punch through under power in choppy waters, excellent backing power and control--so much that since using a Max prop I always now back into my slips, minimal prop walk--a very little bit (actually tested it out on the bay one day). Although I believe the 3 blade Max prop makes for a smoother running engine I suspect a fixed 3 blade would be almost as smooth. I've never tested this idea.

One point most people overlook when buying a Max prop for their boats. Most people comment about how expensive the Max prop is to buy but fail to note that having a Max prop appears to make the boat easier to sell. When I sold my Hunter 380, the new owners mentioned that having the Max prop was important to them. Notice how many high priced boats from Europe came standard with a Max prop.

No matter what prop you finally decide to get, as a charter boat skipper (ret.) may I recommend to take some time and practice with it in open water during a calm day. How long does it take to stop your boat from full ahead, which way does it pull when going into reverse, can you make a sharper turn to port or starboard or are they the same, can you back up and turn to either direction, AND get your significant other to do the same maneuvers so she can come back and pick you up....out of the water.

Good luck.

alexco38 · Nov 7, 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=495uosY-m0U

Go with feathering prop. Yes, the gain may be half a knot, but you can point much higher. Faster also means more apparent wind so the gain is more than half a knot.

We usually arrived (after a day of sailing) 2 beers before our friends when we started together.

Feathering prop may cost a little more. But it's a boat. can't be too cheap.

My 2 blades Max-prop listed at $1850. I bought it for $1200 at the boat show.
Used to point up to 40 deg with a fixed, now I can do 28-30 without losing speed.

Anonymous 121765 · Nov 7, 2014

Ya know,

One question,

Since Tony has yet to divulge what conditions and/or what type of boating he does or wants to do, wouldn't it be prudent to hear what he says, before advising him on what brand, type or style of prop he should buy?

CR

down_shift · Nov 7, 2014

Before I settled on my C36, there was a C36 in the Outer Banks with a Bruntons autoprop that also made the short list. Didn't end up seeing this boat I am left wondering if the autoprop made the differences the seller was claiming. How does the autoprop compare with the other styles of feathering props?

bshock · Nov 7, 2014

down_shift said:
I am left wondering if the autoprop made the differences the seller was claiming. How does the autoprop compare with the other styles of feathering props?

I can't say anything about how the Autoprop compares to other feathering props because mine came with my Beneteau 361, and I only had a C25 with an outboard before. But I CAN say I love my Autoprop. I back into my slip and have NO problems. Acceleration (for a 7 ton-ish boat) seems great in both forward and reverse, and it slows the boat down well when I kick it into reverse. Prop walk is minimal.

Gunni · Nov 7, 2014

Tony_Tammy_B said:
I have a three bladed folding prop and am gathering data on a three blade fixed prop.

With the folding prop I have very little stopping power and a good deal of prop walk.

Can anyone give info on the correct three blade fixed prop for the 423? Also, has anyone made the change and willing to share the results.

thanks
Tony

Another question you should be asking yourself is if you want to listen to a fixed-prop rotate your drive shaft while under sail. That continuous rumble is the reason a lot of B423 owners install a folding/feathering prop. Your transmission requires that the shaft free-wheel to prevent damage.

A feathering prop that reverses your blade pitch does a much improved job of slowing the boat, and addressing prop walk. The rest is practice.

BeneteauUSA can tell you which fixed prop fits your boat.

Rick486 · Nov 7, 2014

Tony_Tammy_B said:
I have a three bladed folding prop and am gathering data on a three blade fixed prop.

With the folding prop I have very little stopping power and a good deal of prop walk.

Can anyone give info on the correct three blade fixed prop for the 423? Also, has anyone made the change and willing to share the results.

thanks
Tony

I have a an 18" 1-1/4 inch shaft three blade prop that was OE on my Hunter 44. If you're interested PM me and we can discuss. Never been in the water and I'll give you a good deal.

down_shift · Nov 7, 2014

bshock said:
I can't say anything about how the Autoprop compares to other feathering props because mine came with my Beneteau 361, and I only had a C25 with an outboard before. But I CAN say I love my Autoprop. I back into my slip and have NO problems. Acceleration (for a 7 ton-ish boat) seems great in both forward and reverse, and it slows the boat down well when I kick it into reverse. Prop walk is minimal.

He LOVED it as well saying it was worth every penny of the $2400 he spent. Even after telling him I was going with another C36, he said to purchase the autoprop. The prop walk on my 3-blad fixed prop is so bad in reverse that I need full starboard helm. LOL, but I am used to it. Not sure how much of this is due to the boat design or the prop.

Johnb · Nov 7, 2014

Gunni said:
Another question you should be asking yourself is if you want to listen to a fixed-prop rotate your drive shaft while under sail. That continuous rumble is the reason a lot of B423 owners install a folding/feathering prop. Your transmission requires that the shaft free-wheel to prevent damage. QUOTE]

Aye to that, that is a big part of the reason I would never go back to a fixed prop.

FWIW I have a flexOfold. I see no down side to it and the performance motoring and sailing is good. Of course it replaced a pretty bad 3 blade fixed.