OK GANG I AM GETTING READY TO PAINT THE BOTTOM AFTER 3 YEARS AND I AM CONSIDERING A NEW PROP... WHEN I REPOWERED 4 YEARS AGO I OPTED FOR A 3 BLADE CAMPBELL SAILOR AND HAVE NO COMPLAINTS WHATSOEVER, AS A MATTER OF FACT I REALLY LOVE THE PROP. HERE'S THE DELEMA... LATELY I HAVE BEEN CLUB RACING AND EVEN WITH THE BIG HANDYCAP PHRF ALLOWS FOR THE FIXED PROP I CAN'T MAKE IT COMPETITIVE ( NEW SAILS AND EXPERT CREW HAVE TOLD ME THAT I AM GETTING EVERYTHING I CAN OUT OF THE BOAT)...SOOOOO I HAVE CONVINCED MY WIFE THAT WE SHOULD GET EITHER A FOLDER OR FEATHERING PROP... I HAVE READ ALL THE INFO I CAN FIND AND MY BUDGET IS TIGHTISH SO I HAVE LIMITED MY CHOICES TO MARTEC ELIPTICAL (CHEAPEST), THE 2 BLADE MAX PROP OR THE KIWI 3 BLADE (HAVE FOUND THEM FOR ABOUT THE SAME PRICE) MY GUT SAYS MAX, BUT I ALWAYS AM WILLING TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT, THE KIWI, AND I HAVE HAD GOOD PERFORMANCE ON MY LAST BOAT (CATALINA 30) WITH THE MARTEC... I PLAN ON KEEPING THE CAMPBELL SAILOR FOR MY CRUISING ONLY TIMES BUT IF THE KIWI IS AS GOOD AS IS TOUTED TO BE IT WOULD JUST BE ON HAND AS A BACK-UP. I LEAN TOWARDS THE 2 BLADE MAX BOTH FOR PRICE AND LOW DRAG, BUT IF PRICE WAS MY ONLY CHOICE I COULD HAVE THE MRATEC FOR 1/2 THE OTHERS. THE OTHER 2 CAN ALSO BE ADJUSTED FOR OPTIMUM PITCH WHERE THE MARTEC IS WHAT YOU GET...OK I HAVE READ MOST ALL THE FORUM POSTINGS I COULD FIND SO NOW I WANT ONE LAST IMPUT FROM WHOM EVER WANTS TO GIVE IT HERE.... THANKS CHET P HARRIET'S CHARIOT H37C #36
- Status
Ive had 2 of your 3 choices......
The Martec eliptical is by far the one that will produce the least drag (when folded) but may give you some problem when backing down ... just use LOTS of 'thrust'. The downside is that its not easy to change pitch if needed. The Max Prop is more expensive, has minimum drag (on my crab crusher, I got approx.. +.5kt for light wind sailing), is adjustable if you need to change the pitch. Some models allow you do change the pitch while the boat is IN the water. BUT ... require you to fully idle down when shifting from forward to reverse .... or you can eventually loosen the blades. With the Max prop, you have to be aware of the 'swing of the blades' .... make a cardboard template, and 'swing the cardboard blades' with your rudder 'full over' etc. to be sure that you dont have 'intereference' when those blades 'reverse'. Do this BEFORE you purchase to be 'sure'. And then be extra 'gentle' when going from fwd to rev. to keep the hub from 'hammering' which will loosen the blades over time. Also, if you can, send your old prop to MaxProp (PYI) so that the prop hub is perfectly machined to fit your shaft ... especially if you have a non-standard taper or a propshaft that was 'replaced'. OR for 'perfect' fit-up by DIY get PYI to send you the instructions to 'hone or lap' the hub to the shaft to get 'perfect fit' ... applies to ALL props. If you have the $$$, I'd go with the MaxProp. BTW for 'best' drag characteristics when racing ... put a mark on your shaft or engine coupler so that the 2 bladed MaxProp is vertical or the Martec is horizontal when the engine is off.
The Martec eliptical is by far the one that will produce the least drag (when folded) but may give you some problem when backing down ... just use LOTS of 'thrust'. The downside is that its not easy to change pitch if needed. The Max Prop is more expensive, has minimum drag (on my crab crusher, I got approx.. +.5kt for light wind sailing), is adjustable if you need to change the pitch. Some models allow you do change the pitch while the boat is IN the water. BUT ... require you to fully idle down when shifting from forward to reverse .... or you can eventually loosen the blades. With the Max prop, you have to be aware of the 'swing of the blades' .... make a cardboard template, and 'swing the cardboard blades' with your rudder 'full over' etc. to be sure that you dont have 'intereference' when those blades 'reverse'. Do this BEFORE you purchase to be 'sure'. And then be extra 'gentle' when going from fwd to rev. to keep the hub from 'hammering' which will loosen the blades over time. Also, if you can, send your old prop to MaxProp (PYI) so that the prop hub is perfectly machined to fit your shaft ... especially if you have a non-standard taper or a propshaft that was 'replaced'. OR for 'perfect' fit-up by DIY get PYI to send you the instructions to 'hone or lap' the hub to the shaft to get 'perfect fit' ... applies to ALL props. If you have the $$$, I'd go with the MaxProp. BTW for 'best' drag characteristics when racing ... put a mark on your shaft or engine coupler so that the 2 bladed MaxProp is vertical or the Martec is horizontal when the engine is off.
Martec Slipstream Geared Folder
See link. I have had the stainless steel geared folding prop distributed through Martec for four years now and am very happy with it. Made a big difference in light air and in pointing ability. Martec didn't have a geared folder of their own at the time. I notice now they do. With the geared folder, you don't have to worry about shaft location to assure both blades fold. I'd look at theirs too. BTW, it backs as good as my two blade fixed prop ever did. Rick D.
See link. I have had the stainless steel geared folding prop distributed through Martec for four years now and am very happy with it. Made a big difference in light air and in pointing ability. Martec didn't have a geared folder of their own at the time. I notice now they do. With the geared folder, you don't have to worry about shaft location to assure both blades fold. I'd look at theirs too. BTW, it backs as good as my two blade fixed prop ever did. Rick D.
FOF
I had a 2-blade Flex O Fold on my last boat and it was a lot of bang for the buck. No need to worry about aligning the propshaft so the blades fold up horizontally as in the Martec Eliptec (non-geared). A geared folder will fold up in any shaft position when you stop the shaft, and stay that way. Reverse very effective with the FOF too. If you want a featherer for a good price, look into the Autostream marketed by Martec. Very similar to the MaxProp but less $$. Fair winds, Tim
I had a 2-blade Flex O Fold on my last boat and it was a lot of bang for the buck. No need to worry about aligning the propshaft so the blades fold up horizontally as in the Martec Eliptec (non-geared). A geared folder will fold up in any shaft position when you stop the shaft, and stay that way. Reverse very effective with the FOF too. If you want a featherer for a good price, look into the Autostream marketed by Martec. Very similar to the MaxProp but less $$. Fair winds, Tim
I'd love to have any of these props
however,the smallest prop is 14" and 2 blade that I have now is a 13" with about 1" clearence from the hull. It seems the PO had a problem with the prop and the end of the shaft so they cut 3" off the shaft and remachined it and installed a smaller prop. My delemia is now in order to get any folding type prop, do I pull the shaft out and have a new one made the 3" longer, and hope that probably a 15" Kiwi would fit $$$$ or just keep what I have and live with it.
however,the smallest prop is 14" and 2 blade that I have now is a 13" with about 1" clearence from the hull. It seems the PO had a problem with the prop and the end of the shaft so they cut 3" off the shaft and remachined it and installed a smaller prop. My delemia is now in order to get any folding type prop, do I pull the shaft out and have a new one made the 3" longer, and hope that probably a 15" Kiwi would fit $$$$ or just keep what I have and live with it.
Ed
Ed I am getting ready to order a Flex o Fold, anything else I should know. I have only had fixed props and just wondering if using this prop is any different operation from my fixed prop. Nick
Ed I am getting ready to order a Flex o Fold, anything else I should know. I have only had fixed props and just wondering if using this prop is any different operation from my fixed prop. Nick
Advice - Flex-o-Fold
I have had flex-o-fold and MArtec elpitical. The Martec, if not geared, will need rebuilding every year or so. I ended up blowing a blade right off. Not good. Also, no reverse thrust. The flex-o-fold is a beautiful piece of engineering and machining - almost too nice to put in the water!
I have had flex-o-fold and MArtec elpitical. The Martec, if not geared, will need rebuilding every year or so. I ended up blowing a blade right off. Not good. Also, no reverse thrust. The flex-o-fold is a beautiful piece of engineering and machining - almost too nice to put in the water!
Well
I guess I am not buying it to hang on the wall for sure. I got my wife to give the OK for Flex-O-Fold she's really easy not much decision for her to say go for it. I have decided to order it the Flex-O-Fold with in the next day or so after hearing so much good things about it. I'll be moving to Florida this year and won't be hauling every winter any more and want something that doesn't need yearly maintenance. Thanks to all for your help. Nick
I guess I am not buying it to hang on the wall for sure. I got my wife to give the OK for Flex-O-Fold she's really easy not much decision for her to say go for it. I have decided to order it the Flex-O-Fold with in the next day or so after hearing so much good things about it. I'll be moving to Florida this year and won't be hauling every winter any more and want something that doesn't need yearly maintenance. Thanks to all for your help. Nick
- Status