Flex-O-Fold Propellers

[allsail]

I am planning a trip down the ICW, from Annapolis to St Marys, Georgia this August/September. In preparation, among other things, i am considering installing a folding prop. I currently have a 3 blade prop on Universal M35B diesel engine, displacing about 14,000 lbs[C-350], which performs as designed, with all the +'s and -'s of a fixed prop.Based on price and performance issues, my first choice is a Flex-O-Fold. Recently i have briefly looked at the Kiwi, which appears to be received well. Although mechanically challenged, the FOF installation seems a little more straight forward to me than the Kiwi? Also less maintenance, with the Kiwi needing greased once a year. While there appears to be nearly as many opinions on props as anchors, i am still interested in feedback/advice on this issue.Thanks.

 

[Tim R.]

I bought 2

I was so impressed with the performance on my Pearson 28-1 that I bought one for my new Ericson 35. Forward and reverse performance was better and I gained about 1/2 knot sailing. Call Chuck Angle in Marblehead, MA. He is a great guy.Tim R.

 

[Colin16557]

I only got 1

but it was one of the best things we ever did for our C-36. Over the past two years we logged about 6000 miles from Duluth, Minnesota through all the great lakes, the Saint Lawrence all the way out to Gaspe, the ICW, Bahamas, and back up to Nova Scotia. As you can immagine, we had more than a few opportunities to use our shiny new flex-o-fold (3-blade) ranging from flat water, to stemming a 7-knot current getting up into Montreal, to large swell (with no wind) to close-quarter manuvering in all sorts of strange harbors and marinas. The prop has been flawless, delivering silky smooth forward and strong reverse motoring and sailing performance that has let us surprise some larger cruising boats. The only time it scared me was in the Saint Lawrence when, while motoring upstream with a large commercial vessel coming downtream towards us, we encountered a huge mat of loose weeds that fouled the prop and reduced our thrust dramaticly. Once we figured out why we we losing power, a quick reversal cleared the prop and we had no more trouble. We now have a line cutter on our shaft.The prop does not "cure" propwalk in reverse but, honestly, I wouldn't want it to. Once you learn how to work with propwalk rather than fighting it, its darn useful and I'd hate to lose it. On the other hand, the reverse thrust is strong enough that the boat gets moving backwards fast enough that the rudder is useful very quickly. If I want to back nicely, a quick burst in reverse gets the boat moving and then I can drop it into neutral and steer easily.The only maintenence I've had to do has been replacing the zinc a couple of times. Once by diving, once during a survey haulout....very easy either way.We do usually need to put the transmission into reverse while we are sailing or the prop will sometimes freewheel raher than fold. Once folded, it stays folded, and we've never had even a hint of trouble getting it to re-engage when we started motoring again.

 

[Patrick Lombard]

My Vote "KIWI"

Installed it last season. Love It

 

[KorculaChris]

There is a review in the current issue

of Practical Sailor, very complimentary.

 

[BBC16385]

We have one

Had it for 10 years on the P42. A 17 x 15 I think. IT is great. No regrets except I wish it were an 18 x 15 but they didn't make that then.

 

[Pat]

For those that have the Kiwi prop.....

... I heard of one owner that says his engine stops when shifting into reverse. I assume the reason this happens is because in reverse the prop has a good amount of pitch in it and it loads up the engine. He has learned to compensate by adding a little extra power. Have any of you had this problem? One of the reasons I am thinking of buying a Kiwi prop, besides feathering capabilities, is to have better control in reverse. My current slip is tight and the dock is starboard. The prop walk on my Catalina 36 (M35A engine)is atrocious compared to my old 30. I don't want to create a bigger problem though by having the engine stop ocassionally. Thanks.