I did read about Kiwi needing to be greased,what maintenance or what needs to be done on either prop on a yearly maintenance of these props. Nick
Maintenance on Flex o Fold vs Kiwi
- Thread starter seadaddler
- Start date
- Status
change the zinc on the flex-o-fold
I have a flex-o-fold on the current boat, and had one for years on the previous boat. These boats are in the water year around and usually only get hauled every third year. The only "yearly" maintenance would be change the prop zinc. (A caveat here is that with any geared folding prop it's important to run it regularly to keep barnacles from fouling it.) Grease? Because I plan to put a few thousand nautical miles on the boat between haulouts, I stay far away from any prop that requires grease. In fairness to Kiwi, here's how they answer the grease question on their website FAQs: "This topic is covered in the user manual but in summary the unit as delivered contains lubricants sufficient until your next maintenance haul out. Each blade must then be greased via a lubrication point accessed by removing the small Pozidrive stainless screw on each blade face. In addition there are two small grease holes, one very close to the DelrinT nose cone in the bronze casting that takes the thrust of the pitch screws and one near the outer perimeter of the bronze sphere at the rear of the unit. These have been chamfered to accept a standard needle nosed grease point. You will need to remove the outer guard off the needle. Each of these five grease points should then be filled with a high quality marine grease eg ShellT Nautilus Marine Grease - NLGI No 2. Check the reversing rollers are free to turn and free up with a light lubricant - such as CRC, and pliers if necessary. These can become stiff from marine deposits if the unit has not been used for some time."
I have a flex-o-fold on the current boat, and had one for years on the previous boat. These boats are in the water year around and usually only get hauled every third year. The only "yearly" maintenance would be change the prop zinc. (A caveat here is that with any geared folding prop it's important to run it regularly to keep barnacles from fouling it.) Grease? Because I plan to put a few thousand nautical miles on the boat between haulouts, I stay far away from any prop that requires grease. In fairness to Kiwi, here's how they answer the grease question on their website FAQs: "This topic is covered in the user manual but in summary the unit as delivered contains lubricants sufficient until your next maintenance haul out. Each blade must then be greased via a lubrication point accessed by removing the small Pozidrive stainless screw on each blade face. In addition there are two small grease holes, one very close to the DelrinT nose cone in the bronze casting that takes the thrust of the pitch screws and one near the outer perimeter of the bronze sphere at the rear of the unit. These have been chamfered to accept a standard needle nosed grease point. You will need to remove the outer guard off the needle. Each of these five grease points should then be filled with a high quality marine grease eg ShellT Nautilus Marine Grease - NLGI No 2. Check the reversing rollers are free to turn and free up with a light lubricant - such as CRC, and pliers if necessary. These can become stiff from marine deposits if the unit has not been used for some time."
Thanks Guys
I will be sailing my 36 next fall to florida and will not be hauling every year like up north. I am still trying to make up my mind but while typing this I think I just answered which way to go. I need to decide soon before I go back to NY in april to get the boat ready to splash,so I have listened to all pro's and con's in this forum which prop but would love to here one more from owners that have the flex o fold and what it did and not do. Ed why did you lose yours and still can't believe how lucky you got it back,when are you heading around Florida ,I will be sailing in bigger water and if it falls off goodbye $2000.00. So what do you guys say. Nick
I will be sailing my 36 next fall to florida and will not be hauling every year like up north. I am still trying to make up my mind but while typing this I think I just answered which way to go. I need to decide soon before I go back to NY in april to get the boat ready to splash,so I have listened to all pro's and con's in this forum which prop but would love to here one more from owners that have the flex o fold and what it did and not do. Ed why did you lose yours and still can't believe how lucky you got it back,when are you heading around Florida ,I will be sailing in bigger water and if it falls off goodbye $2000.00. So what do you guys say. Nick
have Flox-O-Fold
I too cannot comment on the Kiwi Prop but do have the Flex-o-fold. It is sold as being nearly as maintenance free as a conventional prop. I'll pass on the caution provided to me. Their application software frequently tends to provide too much prop. Unlike some other articulating props, they are not adjustable os if they get it wrong you will need ot exchange the blades for a different set. I'm told they are a bit sticky about doing so. It appears that they got mine just about perfect, but they had a previous issue with an identical boat, so the application has been dialed in. Bill
I too cannot comment on the Kiwi Prop but do have the Flex-o-fold. It is sold as being nearly as maintenance free as a conventional prop. I'll pass on the caution provided to me. Their application software frequently tends to provide too much prop. Unlike some other articulating props, they are not adjustable os if they get it wrong you will need ot exchange the blades for a different set. I'm told they are a bit sticky about doing so. It appears that they got mine just about perfect, but they had a previous issue with an identical boat, so the application has been dialed in. Bill
- Status