Looking to replace my basic prop. I have heard good and bad comments about the Flex o Fold props. I have also heard good and bad comments about all the others too. What can you say about there 2 blade folding? Thanks
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Folding
James, Do a google on the subject and you will be busy for the next six months. Check the archives on this site as well. The best prop seems to be one that YOU have on YOUR boat. Jon McClain
James, Do a google on the subject and you will be busy for the next six months. Check the archives on this site as well. The best prop seems to be one that YOU have on YOUR boat. Jon McClain
Great!
James, I have purchased two Flexies. The first was for my old First 32 (which I sold), the second for my B321 which I still own. In both instances I was (am) very pleased. Chuck recommended a 13x9 for my old First 32, which I thought was a little small. Chuck even sent me a set of 13x10 blades to test out, and it ended up the 13x9's WERE the right ones. The point being, they made sure I had the right size and pitch with the sale. I am also very pleased with the 16x12 2-blade on my 321. The geared blades are smooth, and while you're never going to get "perfect" reverse with a folding prop, these come as close to it as I can imagine! I can idle in reverse and back out of my slip with no problem. Coming to a stop when coming in is also no problem with a smooth bump of mid-throttle reverse. Some will tell you that the 2-blades cause a lot of vibration, but its just not true. The cause is likely something else. Yes, a 3-blade will ALWAYS be a little smoother, but I have no complaints about my 2-blade. This is AFTER I corrected the misaligned shaft that the boat came with (from Beneteau I assume, but I did buy the boat used). Good luck with your decision! Tim
James, I have purchased two Flexies. The first was for my old First 32 (which I sold), the second for my B321 which I still own. In both instances I was (am) very pleased. Chuck recommended a 13x9 for my old First 32, which I thought was a little small. Chuck even sent me a set of 13x10 blades to test out, and it ended up the 13x9's WERE the right ones. The point being, they made sure I had the right size and pitch with the sale. I am also very pleased with the 16x12 2-blade on my 321. The geared blades are smooth, and while you're never going to get "perfect" reverse with a folding prop, these come as close to it as I can imagine! I can idle in reverse and back out of my slip with no problem. Coming to a stop when coming in is also no problem with a smooth bump of mid-throttle reverse. Some will tell you that the 2-blades cause a lot of vibration, but its just not true. The cause is likely something else. Yes, a 3-blade will ALWAYS be a little smoother, but I have no complaints about my 2-blade. This is AFTER I corrected the misaligned shaft that the boat came with (from Beneteau I assume, but I did buy the boat used). Good luck with your decision! Tim
We love our Flex-O-Fold
We had a two blade Flex-O-Fold on a 35 foot Express Racing boat and a three blade on our Hunter 460. They are both fantastic. The folding 3 blade outperforms the fixed standard three blade (reaches cruising speed at 300 RPM lower lower than the fixed, far less prop walk and backs straight). We also picked up 1 to 1.5 Kts under sail and can sail effectively in lighter air. A few of our friends have them and reliability has been excellent. Getting from forward to reverse is excellect with the 3 blade version. The two blade was not quite as reliable going from forward to reverse as it was an ultra low drag racing design.
We had a two blade Flex-O-Fold on a 35 foot Express Racing boat and a three blade on our Hunter 460. They are both fantastic. The folding 3 blade outperforms the fixed standard three blade (reaches cruising speed at 300 RPM lower lower than the fixed, far less prop walk and backs straight). We also picked up 1 to 1.5 Kts under sail and can sail effectively in lighter air. A few of our friends have them and reliability has been excellent. Getting from forward to reverse is excellect with the 3 blade version. The two blade was not quite as reliable going from forward to reverse as it was an ultra low drag racing design.
Cambell sailer prop
is what I ended up installing on my 32 ODay I can honestly say for the price my boat handles a lot better in foward & reverse since I switched from 2 blade to 3 blade. After doing a lot of reserch on this subject I found the link below. The company was exellent to do business with.
is what I ended up installing on my 32 ODay I can honestly say for the price my boat handles a lot better in foward & reverse since I switched from 2 blade to 3 blade. After doing a lot of reserch on this subject I found the link below. The company was exellent to do business with.
Very Happy
We have had a 17x15 two blade since 1997 on a P42. VERY happy with it. Great speed under motor and sail. I usually go under on Labor Day weekend and scrape it because the barnicle buildup really does affect its hydrodynamics under power. Scraping will return about .5 kts at cruising speed [3100 rpm; 7.8 kts].
We have had a 17x15 two blade since 1997 on a P42. VERY happy with it. Great speed under motor and sail. I usually go under on Labor Day weekend and scrape it because the barnicle buildup really does affect its hydrodynamics under power. Scraping will return about .5 kts at cruising speed [3100 rpm; 7.8 kts].
3 Blade Vs. 2 Blade Prop Decision
My '88 Catalina 30 is powered by a 14 hp Universal (M-18), which seems to be fine for getting me around on a Lake with no tides or currents. Within the next year we plan on taking the Cat. to the coast to do some ICW, coastal cruising, and I am considering a change to a three blade prop over my exisitng two blade. I am seeking some advice based on experience with both props. Will I get improved performance in speed and backing? The 14 hp may just barely get me ahead of those swift currents during tidal changes in Georgia and the Carolina's, so I wonder if the three-blade will give me an edge. I do not intend to repower (the M-18 currently has only 450 hours and has alot of life left). Thanks Bob Cat. 30 Atlanta
My '88 Catalina 30 is powered by a 14 hp Universal (M-18), which seems to be fine for getting me around on a Lake with no tides or currents. Within the next year we plan on taking the Cat. to the coast to do some ICW, coastal cruising, and I am considering a change to a three blade prop over my exisitng two blade. I am seeking some advice based on experience with both props. Will I get improved performance in speed and backing? The 14 hp may just barely get me ahead of those swift currents during tidal changes in Georgia and the Carolina's, so I wonder if the three-blade will give me an edge. I do not intend to repower (the M-18 currently has only 450 hours and has alot of life left). Thanks Bob Cat. 30 Atlanta
Hello Bob
After replacing my 2 blade with a three blade Cambell sailer prop.I now move at 3+ knots at idle with my 32 ODay and have to shift into neutral & reverse to slow down in the harbor when docking. As for reverse the boat handles much better and little prop walk,the boat responds much faster to forward and reverse and the engine does not rev up in rpm's as it used to when trying to navigate a berth.
After replacing my 2 blade with a three blade Cambell sailer prop.I now move at 3+ knots at idle with my 32 ODay and have to shift into neutral & reverse to slow down in the harbor when docking. As for reverse the boat handles much better and little prop walk,the boat responds much faster to forward and reverse and the engine does not rev up in rpm's as it used to when trying to navigate a berth.
LOVE MINE
I had my std. 2/blade replaced with the Flex-A_Fold about 6 years ago on My Legend 37.5, and I would buy another without hesitation, much improved performance both under sail, and under power both forward and reverse, and I have never had a problem. Hope this helps
I had my std. 2/blade replaced with the Flex-A_Fold about 6 years ago on My Legend 37.5, and I would buy another without hesitation, much improved performance both under sail, and under power both forward and reverse, and I have never had a problem. Hope this helps
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