We have a 1986 Hunter 34 with a Yanmar engine and would like to go to a Max-Prop. What are the pros and cons? Where do you aquire one or is there a used one out there? How do you size a new prop of this kind? I rode a Hunter 430 with a Max-porp installed and the performance was so much better over the old Porp. Thanks for any input Nathan Brothers' Dream 1986 H34
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Max-Prop!!!!!!!
Nathan, if you currently have a fixed Michigan prop, going to the Max-Prop will do two things: Flatten your wallet, and make you smile. Hunter(Eddie Breedon) told me that for my 35.5 a 2 blade would be the correct choice as a 3 blade would make too much turbulence on one side of the rudder in forward causing the boat to "Pull" to one side. He suggested that a 2 blade would work much more satisfactorily. I ended up getting a new boat before a new prop, but my 40.5 came with a 3 blade Max-Prop (excellent luck!). Since the blades flip over as you shift from forward to reverse and from reverse to forward, you get the same pulling power in either direction. Stopping power in reverse is nothing short of awe-inspiring! Put way on, take way off, at will. The blades lie flat to the water flow in neutral if you put the gear selector in reverse after stopping the engine and before the boat has slowed. This reduces drag greatly under sail. You can even adjust the pitch to exactly match hull speed to max RPMs. Bottom Line: Highly Recomended, if your marriage can stand the outflow of cash! Ron S/Y Best Revenge
Nathan, if you currently have a fixed Michigan prop, going to the Max-Prop will do two things: Flatten your wallet, and make you smile. Hunter(Eddie Breedon) told me that for my 35.5 a 2 blade would be the correct choice as a 3 blade would make too much turbulence on one side of the rudder in forward causing the boat to "Pull" to one side. He suggested that a 2 blade would work much more satisfactorily. I ended up getting a new boat before a new prop, but my 40.5 came with a 3 blade Max-Prop (excellent luck!). Since the blades flip over as you shift from forward to reverse and from reverse to forward, you get the same pulling power in either direction. Stopping power in reverse is nothing short of awe-inspiring! Put way on, take way off, at will. The blades lie flat to the water flow in neutral if you put the gear selector in reverse after stopping the engine and before the boat has slowed. This reduces drag greatly under sail. You can even adjust the pitch to exactly match hull speed to max RPMs. Bottom Line: Highly Recomended, if your marriage can stand the outflow of cash! Ron S/Y Best Revenge
URL & Composite
A representative from PYI (distributor) was a guest on this forum for a while so there is probably a lot of discussion in the archives. The URL for PYI is www.pyiinc.com. I've had a max-prop on our H-35 for about 10 years and while it does cost a lot of money, probably on par with a good sail, it can be used all the time under sail. Along with less drag there is less noise from - sailing is quiet. To save a buck, recommend looking into their composite props. I'd think there would be less opportunity for electrolysis damage also. I think the PYI main office is in Everett just south of the Boeing plant so stop by and talk to them. John S/V Servus Poulsbo
A representative from PYI (distributor) was a guest on this forum for a while so there is probably a lot of discussion in the archives. The URL for PYI is www.pyiinc.com. I've had a max-prop on our H-35 for about 10 years and while it does cost a lot of money, probably on par with a good sail, it can be used all the time under sail. Along with less drag there is less noise from - sailing is quiet. To save a buck, recommend looking into their composite props. I'd think there would be less opportunity for electrolysis damage also. I think the PYI main office is in Everett just south of the Boeing plant so stop by and talk to them. John S/V Servus Poulsbo
Great prop.
We put a 3-blade Max-prop on our H410 and that was the best decision we ever made. The boat handles great, is fast, and stops on a dime. If you buy one, make sure you get plenty of zincs at the same time. They are a non-standard size and not available except from PYI. The prop is so expensive you don't want to risk electrolysis. Jeff and Carol s/v Twilight
We put a 3-blade Max-prop on our H410 and that was the best decision we ever made. The boat handles great, is fast, and stops on a dime. If you buy one, make sure you get plenty of zincs at the same time. They are a non-standard size and not available except from PYI. The prop is so expensive you don't want to risk electrolysis. Jeff and Carol s/v Twilight
Another happy owner
I put a Max 3 blade on my H380 and several things happened. The engine sounds got quieter and the engine appears to run smoother. The speed per RPM improved (differently at different speeds). And control forward and reverse became outstanding. To other Max prop owners, how ofter do you change the zincs? Every year, every six months? Mine have been on about 8 months. Good luck Les
I put a Max 3 blade on my H380 and several things happened. The engine sounds got quieter and the engine appears to run smoother. The speed per RPM improved (differently at different speeds). And control forward and reverse became outstanding. To other Max prop owners, how ofter do you change the zincs? Every year, every six months? Mine have been on about 8 months. Good luck Les
Zinc replacement
Les, We got about 6 months out of the first zinc. I dove down to check it and found plenty of material left but the attachment holes around the edges had corroded away and the zinc was no longer in contact with the prop and had to be replaced. Jeff and Carol s/v Twilight
Les, We got about 6 months out of the first zinc. I dove down to check it and found plenty of material left but the attachment holes around the edges had corroded away and the zinc was no longer in contact with the prop and had to be replaced. Jeff and Carol s/v Twilight
used
last spring when I called, Max Prop was running a list for rebuilt/used props as they came available. The composite wasn't being made anymore. I bought a Cruising Design 3 blade instead.
last spring when I called, Max Prop was running a list for rebuilt/used props as they came available. The composite wasn't being made anymore. I bought a Cruising Design 3 blade instead.
max- prop for 40.5
ron, i have a 1995 40.5, and am interested in installing a 3 blade max-prop...do you have the specific model number for the prop on your 40.5?...if you have it, i'd appreciate the info....i can be reached at rvawt@carltonfields.com...thanks..bob v
ron, i have a 1995 40.5, and am interested in installing a 3 blade max-prop...do you have the specific model number for the prop on your 40.5?...if you have it, i'd appreciate the info....i can be reached at rvawt@carltonfields.com...thanks..bob v
Me too, Ron!
Ron, I am also interested in getting a Maxi-Prop for my 1997 40.5. Details of the model number and pitch settings would be much appreciated. Rich grstidge@capital.net
Ron, I am also interested in getting a Maxi-Prop for my 1997 40.5. Details of the model number and pitch settings would be much appreciated. Rich grstidge@capital.net
Max-Prop for 40.5s
Bob and Rich, my Max-Prop is an 18 inch 3-blade unit. The shaft diameter is 1 1/4 inch. The model # is 70-318. Blade angle is set at 20 degrees, yielding a theoretical pitch of 12.4 inches. The main problem with zincs on Max-Props is that the zincs are not "Peened" when the unit is installed. Peening (several smart bangs with the correct tool) causes the zinc to come into much fuller contact with the prop than just bolting, leaving less chance for the metals to lose contact with each other(you should peen shaft zincs too). Hey PYI, could I get a free prop zinc as a commission? I'll be hauling in April or May if that's convenient. Ron
Bob and Rich, my Max-Prop is an 18 inch 3-blade unit. The shaft diameter is 1 1/4 inch. The model # is 70-318. Blade angle is set at 20 degrees, yielding a theoretical pitch of 12.4 inches. The main problem with zincs on Max-Props is that the zincs are not "Peened" when the unit is installed. Peening (several smart bangs with the correct tool) causes the zinc to come into much fuller contact with the prop than just bolting, leaving less chance for the metals to lose contact with each other(you should peen shaft zincs too). Hey PYI, could I get a free prop zinc as a commission? I'll be hauling in April or May if that's convenient. Ron
Zinc installation
I'd like to chime in with what Ron Hughes said about seating the zincs. When I install new zincs (2 ea shaft zincs, have a two blade prop which doesn't use zincs) I always give them a light rap with a hammer to make them seat better. In doing so the screws can always get turned a bit more and this has to aid in better contact with the shaft. The shaft zincs typically last about 8 months or so but I have a diver dive on them at about 7 months. I always remind the diver to hit the zincs when tightening the screws.
I'd like to chime in with what Ron Hughes said about seating the zincs. When I install new zincs (2 ea shaft zincs, have a two blade prop which doesn't use zincs) I always give them a light rap with a hammer to make them seat better. In doing so the screws can always get turned a bit more and this has to aid in better contact with the shaft. The shaft zincs typically last about 8 months or so but I have a diver dive on them at about 7 months. I always remind the diver to hit the zincs when tightening the screws.
How about the Autostream Prop?
In my search for props, I came across the Autostream that is manufactured in Australia. Their web site is www.seahawk.com.au and they have pictures both external and internal views and prices. For an 18" 3-blade the price is US$1824. Has anyone used one or have seen on in person? Almost everyone likes the Maxi-Prop, but it is very expensive. This Autostream is all stainless steel construction and is rated to 75hp and has external pitch adjustment in the water as well as in-the-water lubrication capability. I am reluctant to buy a prop that I couldn't repitch without a haul-out for the reason that every haul-out costs $400 and makes my dealer smile. I am going to New Zealand this spring and will try to get the name of a dealer before I go so I can look at one. BTW, there are two US dealers listed for this prop on the web site.
In my search for props, I came across the Autostream that is manufactured in Australia. Their web site is www.seahawk.com.au and they have pictures both external and internal views and prices. For an 18" 3-blade the price is US$1824. Has anyone used one or have seen on in person? Almost everyone likes the Maxi-Prop, but it is very expensive. This Autostream is all stainless steel construction and is rated to 75hp and has external pitch adjustment in the water as well as in-the-water lubrication capability. I am reluctant to buy a prop that I couldn't repitch without a haul-out for the reason that every haul-out costs $400 and makes my dealer smile. I am going to New Zealand this spring and will try to get the name of a dealer before I go so I can look at one. BTW, there are two US dealers listed for this prop on the web site.
Autostream - Yes.
No need to cross oceans for an autostream. It is sold in the US by Martec. Doesn't that make it easy. My parents just put one on their Hunter 43. They compared all the feathering props. The Autostream seemed to be at least as good. SS, pitch adjustable while in the water (tested!), different pitch settings for fwd & reverse. Anyway, it is less expensive and seems to do everything the Max-Prop does. The Autostream will be the next prop on my boat.
No need to cross oceans for an autostream. It is sold in the US by Martec. Doesn't that make it easy. My parents just put one on their Hunter 43. They compared all the feathering props. The Autostream seemed to be at least as good. SS, pitch adjustable while in the water (tested!), different pitch settings for fwd & reverse. Anyway, it is less expensive and seems to do everything the Max-Prop does. The Autostream will be the next prop on my boat.
Autoprop yes
I have installed an Auto Prop. It also is Stainless Steel and just looking at it out of the water is awe-inspiring. I don't believe there are any gears etc. and there is NO need to pitch it. It pitches itself depending on the seas, currents etc. etc. I do the hull speed or close to it at 350 less RPM,s and at what seems to me to be at half-throttle. I burn a lot, lot less diesel although in my life that's not of great importance. It is awesome when motor sailing. As an example, about a month ago I was doing about 3.5 knots on a broad reach and turned on my engine. At 1000 RPM the engine was basically idling and I started doing over 6 knots. It has all the other things you would like about feathering props like great reverse etc. etc. Check out their web site. The are priced about the same as Maxi-Prop.
I have installed an Auto Prop. It also is Stainless Steel and just looking at it out of the water is awe-inspiring. I don't believe there are any gears etc. and there is NO need to pitch it. It pitches itself depending on the seas, currents etc. etc. I do the hull speed or close to it at 350 less RPM,s and at what seems to me to be at half-throttle. I burn a lot, lot less diesel although in my life that's not of great importance. It is awesome when motor sailing. As an example, about a month ago I was doing about 3.5 knots on a broad reach and turned on my engine. At 1000 RPM the engine was basically idling and I started doing over 6 knots. It has all the other things you would like about feathering props like great reverse etc. etc. Check out their web site. The are priced about the same as Maxi-Prop.
Autoprop on a 34
Chuck, Is your Autoprop on a H34? I was told by the manufacturer at the Annapolis show that they did not have a size that fits the old 34's. DJ
Chuck, Is your Autoprop on a H34? I was told by the manufacturer at the Annapolis show that they did not have a size that fits the old 34's. DJ
max pro on 340
I may have what you are looking for. Max prop on my 340 is one season old and used in fresh water only. Works like a charm at 20 degrees of pitch. Am selling the boat and moving up in size. E-mail me at mnhatton@adelphia.net if interested...capt. Mike
I may have what you are looking for. Max prop on my 340 is one season old and used in fresh water only. Works like a charm at 20 degrees of pitch. Am selling the boat and moving up in size. E-mail me at mnhatton@adelphia.net if interested...capt. Mike
Auto Prop-34 Nay
Sorry. My Auto-Prop is on a 37.5. I know there is a problem on some boats where the strut shape causes a problem (there are some articles the archive about this).
Sorry. My Auto-Prop is on a 37.5. I know there is a problem on some boats where the strut shape causes a problem (there are some articles the archive about this).
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