Folding prop vs. 3 blade

[Brad]

I have a C-34 with a standard 3 blade prop and I'm considering a martec folding prop. Does anyone have any idea how much speed I'll gain sailing and how much I'll lose motoring by switching to the 2 blade ?I think it's a 15" 14deg. Martec folding prop.Any feedback would be appreciated.....

 

[Joe Barrett]

Prop

I used to have a Martec Folder on my last boat an O'Day 272. It increased sailing speed by about 1/2 kt. I lost about 1/2 to 1 knot in powering however over the fixed prop. On my C320 I bought an Autostream 3 blade fethering prop from Martec that is awesome. A bit expensive at $1800 but I wouldn't trade it for anything. It powers great in forward, sails great and backs up like you wouldn't believe. Powered me off a shoal I got stuck on, I back out of my slip with no prop walk. You won't be able to back up very well with the folder. Spend the bucks if you can, you won't regret it.

 

[Pete Sheppard]

Prop dilemma/reverse manuvering

moving up from a h23.5 and I find that the 30' Cat. is very sluggish reversing out of the slip.I have a fixed 2 blade 13 or 14" and have been advised to go to a 3 blade fixed, but may need to go to smallet diam.Martec advises a folding (geared) which may let me go up slitely in diam. improving manuvering and not cutting back sailing speed to much, or the ultimate fix;a 3 blade variable which is very expensive. My main concern is low speed manuvering, but I don't want to loose sailing speed.