new prop fro a Beneteau 323

[Phil Mac]

Hi All,

I have posted this same question on the Benetau owners google group.
I am contemplating replacing my 2 blade fixed prop with a 3 blade folding prop. I am hoping this will mean better motoring and less drag sailing. That's the plan anyway. My question is about the possible consequences of swapping out the 2 blade for a heavier prop that will shift the centre of gravity aft. I have seen warnings that the result can be shaft whip and premature wear of cutlass bearings and shaft seals. Does anyone have any thoughts/experience in this area? I have also considered the Kiwi feathering prop and there seems to be a fair number installed on B323's for sale but the reviews I have read are pretty negative.

Thanks,
Phil

 

[Ben4195]

I wouldn't feel comfortable advising you regarding the negatives of swapping out a 2 blade prop with anything else because I don't have the expertise. But I'm fairly certain that many people have done this. When I bought my boat used, it came with a feathering Autoprop. I love it. I don't have a lot of experience with different props though; this is my first boat that didn't have an outboard as auxiliary propulsion.

 

[Ron20324]

Not what you asked, but a couple of us have gone with a Gori 2- blade.

 

[Phil Mac]

Thanks Ron. I got a pretty appealing quote on a Gori 2 blade. That's really helpful.

Phil

 

[Sailvernon]

I have a Beneteau 323 and replaced my factory 3 blade fixed prop with a 3 blade feathering Maxprop about 4 years ago.
There was virtually no noticeable difference running the boat forward under power. In reverse there is less prop walk and slightly more power which helps significantly with maneuvering around the marina.
Under sail there was a big difference in reduced drag… especially noticeable in light winds. In general I am guessing that boat speed under sail increased by roughly 20%.
I selected the feathering prop over the folding props because I was under the belief that folding prop’s perform poorly in reverse and produce increased prop walk. Although info I read indicated that the folding prop produced slightly less drag then the feathering prop under sail.
I have noticed no change in vibration or cutlass/seals wear… so far the prop has have been maintenance free, other then the greasing required every year or two. But the Maxprop is on the pricy side.

 

[Bronte Bill]

I have a 2008 323 and replaced my factory fixed 3 bladed prop with a 3 bladed Flexofold unit. There is no reduction in forward power and I’m faster under sail, compared with a sister yacht from the club. It still has prop walk in reverse but it’s easy to allow for that, btw we always back in to our slip.

 

[Ron20324]

Is this for the 285, or the 323? one inch/25mm shaft? I believe Baconsails.com has a used Gori. I like that the blades are wider out at the tip, and not tulip shaped.

 

[Phil Mac]

Is this for the 285, or the 323? one inch/25mm shaft? I believe Baconsails.com has a used Gori. I like that the blades are wider out at the tip, and not tulip shaped.

It's for the 323, 25 mm. I just got a quote for a Flexofold 3 blade from Beneteau Spare parts and it was pretty pricey. I'm thinking of the 2 blade Flexofold but I have been told by the distributers that I will find the noise and vibration unacceptable. I have a 2 blade fixed prop now so I am not sure it would be worse.

 

[Jackdaw]

It's for the 323, 25 mm. I just got a quote for a Flexofold 3 blade from Beneteau Spare parts and it was pretty pricey. I'm thinking of the 2 blade Flexofold but I have been told by the distributers that I will find the noise and vibration unacceptable. I have a 2 blade fixed prop now so I am not sure it would be worse.

The vibration happens on beneteaus with solid prop skegs. You do not have one, in fact your boats shaft is exactly like my 260. A two blade would be perfect for you. I have one and an very happy.

 

[LeslieTroyer]

MaineSail had a 2 blade FOF on his CS and pulled it because of vibration. There is a thread on it here somewhere. At the end of the thread he was very happy with a 3 blade J prop

Mahalo

 

[Phil Mac]

Thanks. I like the idea of the low drag of a 2 blade prop as well. I have really been agonizing over this decision.

 

[Ron20324]

Doug M said in another thread he was getting a new prop to replace the Gori I sold him some years back. . Maybe it would be what you want? Do you have the 3YM20

 

[Phil Mac]

Yes. I have a 3YM20.

 

[stevemitchell]

I have a 311 and have a 2 blade prop and have considered switching to a 3 blade. My reversing performance is absolutely horrible.

I have considered a feathering prop like the Kiwi to help with that, as well as better performance sailing, and hopefully a bit more speed in forwards. Even thought the 323 is a bit different, still interested in what you choose @Phil Mac

 

[Phil Mac]

Not too different though. As someone has mentioned, this seems to raise as many opinions as choosing an anchor. The Kiwi prop has the price advantage and it is a 3 blade prop. I have seen some reports that it can be noisy and that it can stall the engine in reverse because of the pitch although others have said only if you don't grease it. I back into my slip and it is a tight turn so stalling in reverse is not an option. Beneteau recommended the Flexofold 3 blade for me with the the Yanmar 3YM20, 21 hp. If you have the 3GM20, then the Volvo 3 blade is an option and the price from Beneteau was excellent. I am leaning towards the Flexofold 2 blade as an option. It is about 1000 bucks cheaper and we definitely sail more than motor but I am concerned about performance in reverse and the dealer recommended a 17 inch prop and said it would be noisy since it is close to the hull. The Flexofold factory recommended a 16 inch 2 blade prop. I still don't know what I am going to do.

 

[stevemitchell]

Not too different though. As someone has mentioned, this seems to raise as many opinions as choosing an anchor. The Kiwi prop has the price advantage and it is a 3 blade prop. I have seen some reports that it can be noisy and that it can stall the engine in reverse because of the pitch although others have said only if you don't grease it. I back into my slip and it is a tight turn so stalling in reverse is not an option.

For sure this is a very personal choice. Lots of testing has been done, and I have read various things from Practical Sailor and many others, but even with all of that, it is still not very clear to me what to do.

I have heard similar things about the Kiwi, although I haven't heard that stalling the motor is the norm if you keep it in good repair and know that it tends to bite good when first put in reverse. I actually would like more power in reverse as right now I have to get into high RPMs to get out of my slip and get the boat moving enough to have steerageway. With a narrow fairway, this is stressful. Having more power in reverse would help with this.

Beneteau recommended the Flexofold 3 blade for me with the the Yanmar 3YM20, 21 hp. If you have the 3GM20, then the Volvo 3 blade is an option and the price from Beneteau was excellent. I am leaning towards the Flexofold 2 blade as an option. It is about 1000 bucks cheaper and we definitely sail more than motor but I am concerned about performance in reverse and the dealer recommended a 17 inch prop and said it would be noisy since it is close to the hull. The Flexofold factory recommended a 16 inch 2 blade prop. I still don't know what I am going to do.

The 311 actually has the Yanmar 2GM20, so a bit less HP but very similar. I hadn't thought of contacting Beneteau directly. I have looked at some similar manufacturers and have been hesitant spending so much $ on something that might have some issues, which is why the cheaper Kiwi was of interest.

 

[Phil Mac]

Not what you asked, but a couple of us have gone with a Gori 2- blade.

I have a really good quote from Gori for a 2 blade , 16.5 x 11. Is this about the same size and did you like it?
Thanks,
Phil

 

[jssailem]

So Phil when you get the prop and are preparing to install it, will you first paint the prop?

 

[Phil Mac]

So Phil when you get the prop and are preparing to install it, will you first paint the prop?

Maybe rust and slime colour so it doesn't get stolen over the winter.

 

[Ron20324]

I have a really good quote from Gori for a 2 blade , 16.5 x 11. Is this about the same size and did you like it?

I love it!. At first I had the wrong engine info from a brochure, and I ordered "Beneteau Rendezvous special price of 805 plus 49$ from Denmark(in summer 2007). But having given them the wrong info, of course I order the wrong prop, a 16.5 x 13. I lived with it for a while, but could not make 3600-off by 300. Doug could make use of it so I ordered the 16.5 x 11. I could have just ordered new blades, but went for the whole new prop. I back in to circular raftups and slips many times during the season, and it does what I need. I don't think you could be unhappy with it.