Folding/feathering propellers

[Patrick Connor]

I have a 1989 Catalina 30, wing keel, Universal 25XP diesel. I currently have a fixed 3 bladed prop. In cruising up and down the coast, I do a lot of motoring/motor sailing inside. I would like to change to a folding or feathering prop to get better sailing performance, but I don't want to lose any motoring performance.Comments, specific experience? Thanks

 

[Jim C]

I have a folding

on my C30 and I think the motoring performance is a little off with it. In Nigel Calder's Diesel book he discusses folding and feathering and it's clear he's not a fan of folding. One issue, which I haven't had yet, is supposed to be a problem getting both blades to swing out immediately during a quick manuever (like reversing down to stop before you crash at the slip).Another club member has a feathering prop and he thinks there's a small drop in forward performance with it but a HUGE boost in reversing performance since the blades will pitch "backwards" for reverse. However, from what I could find the cost of feathering props are way up there.Good luck,Jim

 

[Ron]

don't like folding prop

I had a Mirage 25 with a folding prop and a Bukh 9.9 Diesel. It's great for racers, as it reduces drag when folded. It also had no noticible prop walk. In reverse it would bite quite well. However, you would be dead in the water trying to motor against a 20 knot wind. The biggest problem was that weeds in the harbour would wrap around it and not allow it to open. All of us at the club with the same set-up had the same complaints. Never again !

 

[Ken Juul]

Props

Might want to look at the Campbell Sailor prop. Have one on my 34 with the 25xp and love it. Thin profile fixed 3 blade, great forward & reverse, less drag than standard 3 blade. Got good reviews from Practical Sailor. www.westbynorth.com

 

[Alchemist]

I called my 3 blade a Sea Anchor

My '87 C-30T came with a 3 blade fixed prop and the Universal M25XP. It became immediately obvious that teh prop was a HUGE drag going down wind. I replaced it with a Martec folding prop. The differences that I noticed were in sailing (a huge plus to the Martec) and motoring into a steep chop (4 foot with a 4 second period), a huge plus for the three blade).With headwind (but no big chop) there was little or no observable difference in speed or performance. The Martec backed down with noticable less prop walk than teh three blade.After 5 years of no maintenance, occasionally one of the blades wouldn't open when I put the boat in gear. That'e immediately obvious!.When I sold the boat, I left both props with it and bought a C-320. The only thing I did with this was purchase a Gori geared folding prop (Martec and Flexofold also sell these). I'm in my third season on this prop, and have had no problems so far. I would repeat this purchase.ANY properly sized and pitched prop will get your boat up to hull speed with your engine, so there's not any reason to select a prop for this criterion.SteveAlchemist C-30TAlchemist C-320