Hi George, we have a 2010 49 and have crossed to Portugal where we are currently on the hard. we recently removed our Variprop 4 blade and sent to Germany for a service after never being happy with the blade movement. we received an email telling us that our prop hadn't been maintained and rarely seen grease in its 10 years of life, and that it was unsafe to put on a boat. we now have a new one. we had been greasing every year but wear meant that it was just washing out. you must grease them!
I have a 49 with a 4 blade vari prop
My pervious boat was a 40.5 with a 3 blade max prop
After using 2 types of feathering prop, and having (and sailing many) boats with fixed props, I would never own a boat with a fixed prop in the future
The huge issues are manoeuvrability and prop spin.
With a properly sized and pitched feathering prop, there is zero reverse prop walk, versus an manageable amount , especially at low speeds when the rudder is less efficient
The boat will stop from full speed to zero in its own length.
If you want to know the amount of drag a fixed prop has while sailing, throw a bucket off the stern at 3 knots, and try to hold it on a rope.
Prop spin isn’t a good thing to do with your transmission, and it’s stressful on the coupling.
When I bought my 40.5, my dealer insisted that I purchase a feathering prop.
I damned near choked when I saw the cost, and bought it with great hesitation,
I said “I’m not a racer.. Don’t need this”
Then came the day to drive the boat for the very first time.
It took me 5 minutes to understand
When I dropped off the commissioning dealer in a crowded marina, and had full control of the boat, spun it in reverse on a dime… I would have paid every penny all over again.
Even with the bow thruster on my 49, the vari prop is a necessity.
I agree that yearly greasing is imperative.
I have the luxury of fresh water, but in salt it would be destructive not to maintain this.
Yes, a fixed prop is much less expensive. As are non-powered winches. Etc., etc.