Kiwi Prop Feathering Propellor

[Scott NIelsen]

Does anyone have experience with the Kiwi Prop Feathering Propeller? I am looking to change from the fixed two blade that came with the boat to a feathering 3 blade on my Hunter 37.5. I looked at the Max Prop, but at $2700 versus the Kiwi Prop at $13,500 the Kiwi seems much more affordable. I looked at them at the Annapolis Boat Show and they seem alright. The one issue I have is the need to lubricate annually. How to do underwater, or does a diver remove and lubricate on surface and then re-install? I only haul out once every three years ( I scuba dive and clean the bottom regularly and use hard bottom paint). Also interested in hearing how satisfied others are with the Max Prop and lubrication periodicity.

 

[Scott NIelsen]

Does anyone have experience with the Kiwi Prop Feathering Propeller? I am looking to change from the fixed two blade that came with the boat to a feathering 3 blade on my Hunter 37.5. I looked at the Max Prop, but at $2700 versus the Kiwi Prop at $13,500 the Kiwi seems much more affordable. I looked at them at the Annapolis Boat Show and they seem alright. The one issue I have is the need to lubricate annually. How to do underwater, or does a diver remove and lubricate on surface and then re-install? I only haul out once every three years ( I scuba dive and clean the bottom regularly and use hard bottom paint). Also interested in hearing how satisfied others are with the Max Prop and lubrication periodicity.

Oops! The Kiwi Prop is $1,350, not $13,500. My bad. It is half the price of the Max Prop.

 

[Stu Jackson]

As you might guess, this is a recurring question. Have you tried a search on this forum? Plenty of discussions about it and all the other options.

 

[Scott NIelsen]

I did try a search. I must be searching wrong as nothing was coming up, which puzzled me. I must confess, I can be challenged sometimes trying to find stuff in the Forums. I will try again. Thanks for the response.

 

[whatfiero]

I have the kiwi 2 blade salt water proof grease works fine under water prob not epa legal but I lube up prop and rub grease all down my shaft and strut to keep marine growth at bay

 

[seadaddler]

Look at the Flex O Fold no greasing needed and saw in sail magazine $1,999 and I
a flex o fold 3 blade since 2007 no problems.
Nick

 

[Ken13559]

I've been using 3blade kiwi feathering prop some years now. Its smooth and I can adjust the pitch angle underwater. I haulout every 2 years. But at pass 1 to 1.5yrs the I've reversing problem. It seems the prop won't feather to reverse unless I click the throttle to forward first than reverse. Even after driving forward, I've to neutral it, go forward at tickover then reverse. If I don't do that the whole engine and driven train would vibrate heavily like the blade is fully loading it . So I've no problem just bear with the additional step when going reverse till haulout time.

 

[shorty]

I installed a 3 blade Kiwi on my Pearson 34 9-10 years ago & love it. Hard to certify less drag sailing as every day is different. Probably gain ~1/2kt. Way better in reverse & forward. Replaced a 2 blade fixed. Generally grease every year but there have been years, and perhaps 2 in a row where I have missed greasing. Every 2 years would probably be fine.
You have to grease carefully. Would buy another in a heartbeat.

 

[JohnShannon]

Have had a 3 blade Kiwi for 5+ yrs now, is working great. Initial pitch was too fine which limited top speed. Once adjusted (super simple) the boat motors at 7 knots. Much smoother than prior fixed 2 blade.

 

[TFrere]

I just installed a Kiwi Prop yesterday. I have not returned my boat to the water yet but hope to test it next weekend. I was running a 3 blade fixed prop. I will post the results next week.

 

[Levin]

I've had one on my boat for quite a few years. I had a fixed two blade before and going to the Kiwi definitely made the motoring smoother, which was nice. I also sail a bit faster and I think point a bit higher (although this will likely be true of any feathering prop) but I lost motoring speed. This last bit is frustrating to me and I'm not sure if it's due to incorrect pitch (although I've messed wit it and have seen little change) or just inherent to the prop itself. If I had it to do over I would have spent the extra for the Max Prop, people seem to love that thing.