My partner and I are considering replacing our stock, fixed 3-blade prop with either a 2-blade or 3-blade folding or feathering prop to improve our performance under sail and under power. Recommendations/caveats will be appreciated. Cost is a factor but not necessarily the controlling factor. Perhaps, a better way of stating it is that we want value for our dollar..doesn't everyone!? Thanks, Roger Seals
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3-Blade Maxprop VP
I have the above on my Beneteau 390 Oceanis. It is great. Gives me half a knot or more when feathered.
I have the above on my Beneteau 390 Oceanis. It is great. Gives me half a knot or more when feathered.
3-Blade Maxprop VP
Oh, I forgot. Those conical zincs on the end of the shaft tend to fall off. This time at haulout a few weeks ago I used removeable LockTite on the zinc screws to stop them from vibrating loose and tightened them to hell. Also greased the prop with lithium grease. Hopefully the zinc, or some of it, will still be there next year. As you start sailing and after switching off the engine, put your gear lever in reverse and you will hear a slight clunk which is the prop feathering. Then put it back in neutral. Any of these props are as expensive as hell, I guess I paid for the prop when I bought the boat. Happy sailing. Peter
Oh, I forgot. Those conical zincs on the end of the shaft tend to fall off. This time at haulout a few weeks ago I used removeable LockTite on the zinc screws to stop them from vibrating loose and tightened them to hell. Also greased the prop with lithium grease. Hopefully the zinc, or some of it, will still be there next year. As you start sailing and after switching off the engine, put your gear lever in reverse and you will hear a slight clunk which is the prop feathering. Then put it back in neutral. Any of these props are as expensive as hell, I guess I paid for the prop when I bought the boat. Happy sailing. Peter
flex-o-fold 3 blade
I have a Oceanis 351 and went with a flex-o-fold 3 blade. It works great for both power and sailing. When I saw the orginal 3 blade fixed prop it is like having a bucket in the water when sailing. You notice the difference the most in the light to moderate conditions. What ever your choice make sure the pitch is correct, as I went up to a slightly larger diameter prop and had to use a different pitch. The flexofold works great and have no problems. good luck. Dave
I have a Oceanis 351 and went with a flex-o-fold 3 blade. It works great for both power and sailing. When I saw the orginal 3 blade fixed prop it is like having a bucket in the water when sailing. You notice the difference the most in the light to moderate conditions. What ever your choice make sure the pitch is correct, as I went up to a slightly larger diameter prop and had to use a different pitch. The flexofold works great and have no problems. good luck. Dave
Max-Prop 3 Blade
My Oceanis 350 came with a 3 blade Max-Prop. Since it came with the boat I can't compare the performance with and without it, but I can't imagine how it wouldn't increase performance. I can say that it works great when motoring. Plenty of power in forward and reverse. I agree with the comment about conical zincs on the prop hub being susceptible to falling off. There's not much shoulder on the zinc where the bolts attach it so if you don't watch it, as it corrodes away there may not be enough left to hold it. I can see where vibration could be a problem too. The zinc had fallen off with the previous owner and the haul out inspection showed pitting on the prop so I've been very dilligent in my first 6 months of ownership to have a diver check the zinc quarterly. So far it's stayed put with just a regular rate of corrosion.
My Oceanis 350 came with a 3 blade Max-Prop. Since it came with the boat I can't compare the performance with and without it, but I can't imagine how it wouldn't increase performance. I can say that it works great when motoring. Plenty of power in forward and reverse. I agree with the comment about conical zincs on the prop hub being susceptible to falling off. There's not much shoulder on the zinc where the bolts attach it so if you don't watch it, as it corrodes away there may not be enough left to hold it. I can see where vibration could be a problem too. The zinc had fallen off with the previous owner and the haul out inspection showed pitting on the prop so I've been very dilligent in my first 6 months of ownership to have a diver check the zinc quarterly. So far it's stayed put with just a regular rate of corrosion.
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