feathering or folding, which works best ?? some racing, some cruising, 50/50,is a 2 blade sufficient ??
martec, gori or maxprop
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Bang-4-Buck
I had very good experience with a Martec Eliptical on an 80's 30' racer/cruiser. We had it long enough that we had it rebuilt 3 times. When I got my Catalina 38 it came with both fixed 3 blade and fixed 2 blade props. I tried both and found that the 2 blade was nearly useless ... the 3 blade was very good at pushing the boat to hull speed at a comfortable rpm on the engine but it did effect the sailing speed. Since we had good performance with the Martec before, I bought one at a boat show special and had Martec select the correct pitch and diameter for the boat. I am thrilled with it ... Reverse is better than with the fixed 2-blade with less prop-walk and faster reverse accelleration and I reach hull speed at about 300 rpm's more than with the fixed 3-blade. Sailing performance is noticable better. Bang-4-Buck, I think the Martec Eliptical gives very good performance.
I had very good experience with a Martec Eliptical on an 80's 30' racer/cruiser. We had it long enough that we had it rebuilt 3 times. When I got my Catalina 38 it came with both fixed 3 blade and fixed 2 blade props. I tried both and found that the 2 blade was nearly useless ... the 3 blade was very good at pushing the boat to hull speed at a comfortable rpm on the engine but it did effect the sailing speed. Since we had good performance with the Martec before, I bought one at a boat show special and had Martec select the correct pitch and diameter for the boat. I am thrilled with it ... Reverse is better than with the fixed 2-blade with less prop-walk and faster reverse accelleration and I reach hull speed at about 300 rpm's more than with the fixed 3-blade. Sailing performance is noticable better. Bang-4-Buck, I think the Martec Eliptical gives very good performance.
Another Opinion...
...I purchased a Slipstream geared folding two blade prop from Martec. More than satisfied with it. I wouldn't know how to call bang for the buck; I just know it transformed the boat from a sailing / pointing standpoint. RD
...I purchased a Slipstream geared folding two blade prop from Martec. More than satisfied with it. I wouldn't know how to call bang for the buck; I just know it transformed the boat from a sailing / pointing standpoint. RD
Stick head firmly in sand!
New Jersy Jim is a level-headed sailor. Cruisers, ocean-going, will have none of the 'fancy props' they have their place and for some, and it is they're choice. No one here wants to listen to reason... infact seem to get irritated if they are not told what they have already decided, remind you of our governmet? I have come to accept that, nevertheless fifty years of experience says keep it simple and easy to fix. not one to stand against progress, reasonable SOUND progress, like the Nobeltech nav program on laptop, makes navigation so much safer, and what the navy uses too, but a wheel cannot be improved on much, the bearings but not the full fledged idea. The fancy (expensive feathering et al) props will ALWAYS fail.
New Jersy Jim is a level-headed sailor. Cruisers, ocean-going, will have none of the 'fancy props' they have their place and for some, and it is they're choice. No one here wants to listen to reason... infact seem to get irritated if they are not told what they have already decided, remind you of our governmet? I have come to accept that, nevertheless fifty years of experience says keep it simple and easy to fix. not one to stand against progress, reasonable SOUND progress, like the Nobeltech nav program on laptop, makes navigation so much safer, and what the navy uses too, but a wheel cannot be improved on much, the bearings but not the full fledged idea. The fancy (expensive feathering et al) props will ALWAYS fail.
Len, I have had all kinds of props and the worse one for sailing
was a three bladed trawler prop (the blades overlapped each other). It was like dragging a bucket. My two bladed solid sailor prop had the meat of the pitch in the middle of the blade (less meat at the tip) and didn't drag too much if you lined it up behind the deadwood or keel, but it was not efficient at driving the boat. The best prop for racing was a two bladed folding prop which had the meat of the blade at the end of the blade. It had the lowest drag and moved the boat beautifully forward but had a tendency to collapse in reverse so I had to make slower approaches to slips and docks. I have had two folding props. One was an older two bladed Herrishoff that had a large gear enclosing hub which was only OK and the other is a three bladed Max Prop that I think is great in all ways, and I recommend this prop to anyone. It powers great in either direction, feathers quickly under sail when you shift from forward to neutral, but the blades stay deployed if you shift from reverse to neutral while making headway. this feature allows you to turn a shaft alternator or generator to charge batteries on long trips. You can also change the prop pitch to suit your engine with very little effort. My Max prop is 14 years old and is appreciably as tight as when I put it on. I've been down the coast from WA down around the capes and 6 years in Mexico with never a problem. Contrary to what Cap'n Ron said, I believe that among newer types of cruising boats, where the prop is not buried in an aperture, that I have seen more Max Props than fixed, but then thats my opinion. Have fun Joe S
was a three bladed trawler prop (the blades overlapped each other). It was like dragging a bucket. My two bladed solid sailor prop had the meat of the pitch in the middle of the blade (less meat at the tip) and didn't drag too much if you lined it up behind the deadwood or keel, but it was not efficient at driving the boat. The best prop for racing was a two bladed folding prop which had the meat of the blade at the end of the blade. It had the lowest drag and moved the boat beautifully forward but had a tendency to collapse in reverse so I had to make slower approaches to slips and docks. I have had two folding props. One was an older two bladed Herrishoff that had a large gear enclosing hub which was only OK and the other is a three bladed Max Prop that I think is great in all ways, and I recommend this prop to anyone. It powers great in either direction, feathers quickly under sail when you shift from forward to neutral, but the blades stay deployed if you shift from reverse to neutral while making headway. this feature allows you to turn a shaft alternator or generator to charge batteries on long trips. You can also change the prop pitch to suit your engine with very little effort. My Max prop is 14 years old and is appreciably as tight as when I put it on. I've been down the coast from WA down around the capes and 6 years in Mexico with never a problem. Contrary to what Cap'n Ron said, I believe that among newer types of cruising boats, where the prop is not buried in an aperture, that I have seen more Max Props than fixed, but then thats my opinion. Have fun Joe S
Flex o fold
On my previous boat that is still working great and one on my current boat. Based on your usage, a 2 blade geared folder should be fine. I have never had a failure and it controls my boat better than a 2 blade fixed. Keep your fixed prop in case you ever venture off shore.
On my previous boat that is still working great and one on my current boat. Based on your usage, a 2 blade geared folder should be fine. I have never had a failure and it controls my boat better than a 2 blade fixed. Keep your fixed prop in case you ever venture off shore.
Don't forget an Autostream!
You will find that most sailors like the prop that they have installed. I opted for an Autostream feathering prop, and just like the others, highly recommend it to others. The advantage of being in Southern California is I could go talk to the people over at Martec Props as they are made here. Martec also is the local dealer for Autostream. Gary at Martec went over several options. His final advice was regardless of brands, if you like to race, a folder is probably the best option; if you like to cruise more, than go with a feathering prop. The reason is that the folding prop has slightly less drag when racing. The big advantage of a feathering prop is the prop walk is almost completely gone, and it gives a better performance when motoring. Either way, you can't lose.
You will find that most sailors like the prop that they have installed. I opted for an Autostream feathering prop, and just like the others, highly recommend it to others. The advantage of being in Southern California is I could go talk to the people over at Martec Props as they are made here. Martec also is the local dealer for Autostream. Gary at Martec went over several options. His final advice was regardless of brands, if you like to race, a folder is probably the best option; if you like to cruise more, than go with a feathering prop. The reason is that the folding prop has slightly less drag when racing. The big advantage of a feathering prop is the prop walk is almost completely gone, and it gives a better performance when motoring. Either way, you can't lose.
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