Flexofold underwater video

[Mikem]

This is a follow up to the replacement of our fixed three blade prop to a flexofold three bladed folding prop on our 2003 H466. This video clearly demonstrates the almost instant opening of the prop to full diameter within one shaft revolution or less. One may also clearly see how the prop folds to the closed position as soon as the shaft stops rotating. Make sure the volume is up.

My oldest son, Michael, put a go pro camera on the end of a tripod and blindly hit the exact spot to perfectly film the prop. He also edited the you tube video attached. Michael, many thanks, luvdad.

Hope this You tubevideo posts. Never done this before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGrK6x42xgI

 

[steve stark]

Dog-gon-it, Mike....
You already left Starbright in the dust. Now we're going to have to throw you a tow line to stay in the same body of water underway.

Congrats on a successful haul.

 

[Mikem]

Steve, thanks. I haven't had a chance to sail with it yet but under power there was a positive difference.

When Steve Pettengill was aboard the boat last summer he thought the engine was over propped as the engine revved only to 3400 rpm and not the 3600 advertised. With the flexofold I now get 3600 rpm at WOT and the speed went from 8.6 to 8.8 knots. A clean bottom might have been part of the increase but it does not account for the increased rpm. Also, it seemed to back straighter with not as much propwalk. Reverse was just fine. And, maybe my imagination but the engine sounds quieter.

It should obviously improve the sailing and allow us to point higher as well.

Now, let me tell you about the swing keel dilemma on our daughter's Cat-25...

See you at Chart Chat.

Mike