I have a Hunter 38 with a 40 HP Yanmar. I am considering buying a folding prop. Any advice or experience?
Mike
Mike
Folding Propellers
- Thread starter ms-card@cox.com
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Feathering Prop
I've used a two blade feathering prop for over 10 years. The previous owner of our boat installed it several years before we bought the boat. Having the independantly adjustable pitches for forward and reverse gives me fantastic performance. We have very little prop walk and a positive response when stopping the boat in reverse. Of course the feathering blades do reduce drag. But it also negates the need to leave the transmission in gear to stop shaft rotation while sailing . I think if I would change anything aobut my set-up it would be to use a 3 blade instead of two. There is an RPM range that gives me some vibration. Perhaps a 3 blade prop would eliminate that. Perhaps not. I pull the boat every two years for maintance. That includes greasing the zerk fitting on the prop. Aside from cleaning it that is all the maintenance I've done to it. Here's a link to the manufacturer.
http://www.martec-props.com/
I've used a two blade feathering prop for over 10 years. The previous owner of our boat installed it several years before we bought the boat. Having the independantly adjustable pitches for forward and reverse gives me fantastic performance. We have very little prop walk and a positive response when stopping the boat in reverse. Of course the feathering blades do reduce drag. But it also negates the need to leave the transmission in gear to stop shaft rotation while sailing . I think if I would change anything aobut my set-up it would be to use a 3 blade instead of two. There is an RPM range that gives me some vibration. Perhaps a 3 blade prop would eliminate that. Perhaps not. I pull the boat every two years for maintance. That includes greasing the zerk fitting on the prop. Aside from cleaning it that is all the maintenance I've done to it. Here's a link to the manufacturer.
http://www.martec-props.com/
Do you know what size wheel & shaft you have? Have you had any of the companies size a prop for you. As for folders Flex-O-Fold or Gori are both good.
You sure you don't have a Max Prop? I'm pretty sure Martec doesn't sell a 2-bladed feathering prop that has internal lubrication.
Edit: I take it back. The Autostream 2-blade feathering prop is sold by Martec.
My Experience...
...is with a Slipstream two blade geared folding prop distributed by Martec. I service it when I haul out. Great customer service from Martec or directly from Australia. About 1400 hours on it now. Anyhow, it does what it is supposed to and I am perfectly happy with the decision.
I posted this previously but I have a flex-o-fold and it works fine except for one thing, it is oversized. Flex-o-fold has refused to replace the blades without me paying an additional $1,100. They sized it but do not stand behind their product. The oversized blades overload my engine at all speeds.
When ordering ANY prop you need to get the manufacturer to stand behind the sizing IN WRITING before placing the order. If they will not agree to fix the problem DO NOT buy a prop from them..
When ordering props I word it as:
"The prop will allow the engine to turn manufacturer max rated RPM /specs +/- 50-75 RPM. This will be confirmed with digital photo tach at wide open throttle with a clean bottom in smooth current free water. Manufacturer will re-pitch at their expense if not correct."
Include in the order EXACTLY what your current prop is and EXACTLY what it will do RPM wise.You also need your gear box ratios, engine and boat model.
This happened to me with our Campbell Sailor and they fixed it free of charge... Ordering any prop without that disclaimer and you're likely on your own.. When dropping 2k it is best to go into it prepared........
Manufacturers like Universal/Westerbeke will void warranty if the prop does not allow the engine to spin to rated RPM....
Bought a Maxprop for my 2008 38 last year.
Can't say enough good about it. Backs much straighter, pick up about a knot when sailing and no whirling sound from the prop spinning, and it stops with authority.
The folks at Maxprop were most knowledge in getting correct size and setting the pitch on the blades.
What a difference it makes.
Can't say enough good about it. Backs much straighter, pick up about a knot when sailing and no whirling sound from the prop spinning, and it stops with authority.
The folks at Maxprop were most knowledge in getting correct size and setting the pitch on the blades.
What a difference it makes.
i have a variprop 3 blade full feathering- quite happy with it- certainly got rid of the annoying vibration at certain revs and also certainly picked up about a knot of extra speed- BUT still has terrible prop walk! In fact the ONLY gripe i have with my wonderful H42 is backing up- I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL how much throttle i use when going into reverse- if i use to much i get chronic prop walk to port- i have to slow almost to a stop in forward, then select and WAIT for reverse to take up , THEN raise rev's.
If the fault is me- someone please tell me what i am doing wrong!!
If the fault is me- someone please tell me what i am doing wrong!!
I too have a Variprop. Yes there is some prop walk but it is predictable. Here is how I handle it.
Coming to the transition point engage reverse at idle, turn the boat slightly to port, ensure rudder is straight, increase throttle hard until the boat starts to back, return throttle to idle and adjust as needed. The prop walk will straighten out the the previous turn to port.
How long did you have the blades on and in use before you pulled them to send them back? We had to exchange blades for our flex-o-fold on our smaller boat and because they were like-new, they took them back no problem. I can image if they were on for awhile they would start to have issues.
Re: Feathering Prop
Jeff,
I'm going for a foldong prop. Too much seaweed in my neighborhood,
Mike
Jeff,
I'm going for a foldong prop. Too much seaweed in my neighborhood,
Mike
Flexifold sized one for me, but had the engine at 54 hp rather than the 40 hp that I have. I asked them to try again.
Mike
Mike
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