I was thinking about upgrading from factory prop to a feathering prop. Has anyone had success with a specific brand? There seems to be a lot of options out there.
Thank you
Thank you
New Prop question Hunter 450 passage
- Thread starter Mattraney
- Start date
, Overdrive is a nice benefit run 7.5-8 kts at 2300RPM
We had a MaxProp on our Hunter 450... no complaints, it worked fine; we also have a MaxProp on our Oyster 53. The Brunton's feathering prop on our 62 seems much better.
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I have a 20 x 14 three blade flexofold on my H466. I think you and I have the same 76 hp Yanmar. I cruise at 7.8 kts at 2750 rpm. At 3600 rpm I hit 8.6 but the fuel curve says 3.6 gph. At 2750 rpm the fuel consumption is 1.6-1.8 gph measured. A buddy with another H460 had a max prop but after having it rebuilt twice he switched to the flexofold. He also preferred the flexofold over his previous Max-Prop. That Max-Prop he sold to a H44 owner who loves it and has nearly 15000 miles on the hull. That was not the fault of the prop but spendy still. I never noticed any reverse degradation going from my fixed three blade to the folder. The Max-Prop certainly has better backing power but I don’t understand why the emphasis on that capability. Maneuvering around the docks I try to plan my maneuvers such that I don’t need to do a crash stop. I think it was a British mag, Yachting Monthly, 2009 (don’t remember the month) that had a very comprehensive prop test. Max-Prop has the best backing power and flexofold had the least drag. Sail performance was best with the folder due to the least drag. Power performance was equal if I remember correctly. My 466 backs like it is on rails once I overcome the slight port pull..which I can use to my advantage if necessary. In the end I think it is a Ford Chevy issue. Cheers, Mike
There are two issues we've experienced with using a MaxProp over the past ten years, we need to revv the engine in gear after changing from forward to reverse and reverse to forward in order to get the prop to switch direction, otherwise we get a noticeable banging. The prop is also very sensitive to any growth build up... it doesn't take much. The other issue is with the anode (zinc) which becomes loose at the slightest bit of wear, after this happens, the bolts holding it on become loose and begin backing themselves out. This has been mitigated by using Sikaflex as a locktite and covering the tops of the three bolts with Sikaflex. When the fit of the anode becomes loose, you'll begin to hear and feel it banging, especially when changing gears. The Brunton's prop doesn't have these issues and feathers more easily.
You remember the publication correctly - Folding and feathering propeller test
We got a Flexofold 3 blade partially based on the review and are very happy.
Just a comment I have a 2002 passage 456 flexofold , bought the p top at the bostvshow in 2011 boat had approx 260 hrs on the engine. American rep said nothing about testing the prop to confirm max rpm matches yanmar specs. Two years later my mach said I was over propped. Flexofold said it was my engine. I had engine compression tested and it checked out fine. No way to change pitch on a folding prop. Flexofold refused to swap blades. I have lived with this for 7 years. Finally found a set of used blades.
The props are great but if you have added a arch, solar panels, etc and live aboard you better be sure to run the boat up right after having it installed so that if you can't get the specified rpms you can get the blades swapped out. I can only get 3200 rpm on my 75 hp turbo yanmar that's 600 rpm off. These are great props, not had any issues and have great power in reverse. But missing 600 rpm is a problem
Maybe it is my tach but even when brand new with the factory 18 x 17 fixed three blade I never got more than 3600 rpm. I even had then Hunter's Dr. Destructo, Steve Pettengill aboard and he said 3600 was all I would ever get. But even so you are missing 400 rpm. What size FOF do you have?
That is exactly what I have. At WOT on my 2003 H466, brochure displacement 26,000 lbs I achieve 8.6 kts at 3550 rpm. I figure my cruising displacement is 29,000lbs.
Thank you everyone. All good information. We will have to decide, possibly at the Boat Show in Seattle in a few weeks. Our boat is in Alaska and this is the closest show to us. --Matt
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,504
Matt. The Seattle Boat show is great. But the closest one to you is the Vancouver Boat show. It happens the weekend after the Seattle Show. If your coming down give us a shout. You could make the shows a twofur.
Western Canada's Largest Boat Show. Find the boat of your dreams — and everything to go with it — indoors at BC Place and Floating Show at Granville Island, February 5 - 9, 2020.
Seattle Boat Show 2020is held in Seattle WA, United States, from 1/24/2020 to 2/1/2020 in CenturyLink Field Events Center.
You'll see feathering props at both shows.