Good day all. I’m considering a prop change. We are planning the great loop that would entail more motoring than normal. I’ve always had an issue with not attaining the RPMs Yanmar wants the motor to and thought I would solve that issue as well. Dose anyone have experience or recommendations. Thanks
Prop change
- Thread starter Tom K
- Start date
Simple answer, get a Max Prop. These are not inexpensive and they can be adjusted to match your engine and transmission. What you will find is increased speed while sailing when the prop feathers and improved control while docking or maneuvering in tight quarters due to the prop walk in reverse. It will take a bit to get used to the new performance in reverse, once you learn it you will not want to go back.
There will be a lot of motoring, however, a lot of the Great Loop can be sailed, Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay up the Hudson, through the Great Lakes, and once in the Gulf of Mexico back to Southport.
The Tech support from PYI is excellent and they can provide the settings for the prop.
pyiinc.com
There will be a lot of motoring, however, a lot of the Great Loop can be sailed, Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay up the Hudson, through the Great Lakes, and once in the Gulf of Mexico back to Southport.
The Tech support from PYI is excellent and they can provide the settings for the prop.
PYI Inc. | Max-Prop Automatic Feathering Propellers
Max-Prop is the leader in automatic feathering propellers. From 2, 3, 4 or even 5 blade designs we have a Max-Prop to suit your application.
The Max Prop is a good prop. A fixed blade prop is also an option. I'd suggest you also look into the Campbell Sailor.
I'd say it depends upon your budget and what you think you want for a prop.
I run a standard fixed three blade on my boat and like the reliability. If I were to think I needed either a second prop or wanted to upgrade, I'd go to the Campbell Sailor.
dj
I'd say it depends upon your budget and what you think you want for a prop.
I run a standard fixed three blade on my boat and like the reliability. If I were to think I needed either a second prop or wanted to upgrade, I'd go to the Campbell Sailor.
dj
+1 for the Max Prop. As Dave said, it is adjustable, so you can fine tune the pitch to match your engine. I have made small pitch adjustments to my 3-blade MaxProp the last 2 off-seasons to get the best RPM/speed from my little Yanmar 2GM20F.
Also, the reverse thrust is really strong.
Greg
Also, the reverse thrust is really strong.
Greg
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,799
Hi Tom. You are planning a great adventure.
Most of my sailing is on the Pacific Northwest inland waters vs open Ocean. There are conditions such as tidal currents and choppy waters in remote locations that prioritize simplicity and performance under power over maximizing sailing performance.
For the above reasons I chose a Campbell Sailor manufactured by WestbyNorth in BC Canada.
westbynorth.com
The MaxProp is an excellent product. Maximizing sailing performance by adjusting the blades to minimize drag. The rotation of the blades improves the performance of the prop when going in reverse over other folding prop designs. While the engineering is robust, the prop requires maintenance every 1-2 years and a foreign object strike to the prop blades can create damage that incapacitates the prop mechanism.
The Campbell Sailor offers excellent value for cruisers prioritizing power, simplicity, and lower cost (about 40%) without sacrificing too much sailing speed. My experience is a reduced sailing speed of between 0.5-0.75 knts from hull speed in known wind and sea conditions.
Boat decisions often involve compromise. Check them both out and make your selection based on the waters you plan to explore and the demands you are going to make of your boat during the journey.
Most of my sailing is on the Pacific Northwest inland waters vs open Ocean. There are conditions such as tidal currents and choppy waters in remote locations that prioritize simplicity and performance under power over maximizing sailing performance.
For the above reasons I chose a Campbell Sailor manufactured by WestbyNorth in BC Canada.
Low Drag Sailboat Propellers - West By North
West by North are specialists in low drag, feathering and folding propellers.We manufacture and supply propellers for any sailing boat, anywhere. The Campbell Sailer propeller is designed and manufactured to be one of the most efficient fixed blade sailboat propellers on the market today. Unique...
westbynorth.com
The MaxProp is an excellent product. Maximizing sailing performance by adjusting the blades to minimize drag. The rotation of the blades improves the performance of the prop when going in reverse over other folding prop designs. While the engineering is robust, the prop requires maintenance every 1-2 years and a foreign object strike to the prop blades can create damage that incapacitates the prop mechanism.
The Campbell Sailor offers excellent value for cruisers prioritizing power, simplicity, and lower cost (about 40%) without sacrificing too much sailing speed. My experience is a reduced sailing speed of between 0.5-0.75 knts from hull speed in known wind and sea conditions.
Boat decisions often involve compromise. Check them both out and make your selection based on the waters you plan to explore and the demands you are going to make of your boat during the journey.
Where did you get this information, it is grossly inaccurate.
The Max Prop is a feathering prop that uses flat blades. Unlike other folding, fixed, and feathering props using shaped blades, the Max Prop developed more thrust in reverse because of the flat blades. The prop also offers less resistance when feathered thus improving speed when sailing. The flat blades are slightly less efficient when motoring forward, however this is negligible and a small price to pay for the improved sailing speed and greater thrust and prop walk in reverse. The reverse prop walk is especially helpful when maneuvering in tight quarters or when polishing the keel on a sandbar.
The prop does require routine maintenance which consists of greasing the prop every few hundred engine hours. A job that requires removing a set screw, inserting a zerk, and using a grease gun to insert grease. It is about a 10 minute job. A 10 oz tube of the recommended grease is good for about 9 or 10 servicing.
Like all feathering and folding props, the moving parts do wear. After 33 years and about 3000 engine hours I sent my prop in for servicing, there were 2 parts needing replacement. While expensive, amortized over the 33 years, it amounted to less than $30 a year.
As for getting damaged by striking a foreign object, any moving prop can be damaged by striking a foreign object. That is hardly an indictment against Max Prop.
If you are going to criticize a product, at least be accurate about the "facts" being used. I don't know where you got your information, it does not seem a reliable source, and it is not at all consistent with my experience with a Max Prop, nor the many friends I have who also have Max Props.
Just a note.
My fixed blade prop is 41 years old, is on its second engine driving it, and still looks like new. The only maintenance I do is clean it every time I'm also cleaning my hull. Now obviously I've never hit anything with my prop...
Folding props, in my opinion, are really best used by racing boats. There was a study done - I'm not sure if it was posted here on SBO a few years ago or where I read it but I apologize I don't have a link to it on hand - that quantitatively measured the actual decrease in sailing speed between a fixed blade and feathering prop. As I recall, there was a measurable hit in boat speed at low wind speeds and again at the top end of wind speeds, IIRC. But the middle range of wind speeds showed there was very little difference.
The Max prop is an expensive prop. It does require maintenance over time. I'll also add that if I were to go to a folding prop - I would choose the Max Prop as I feel it is the best folding prop out there.
However for my sailing, which is 100% cruising, I don't need the added maintenance, the added cost, and prefer the added reliability of a fixed prop.
dj
If you are not developing the expected rpms, then the prop size and or pitch is incorrect. A good prop shop might be able to help you determine the correct size and pitch and if your existing prop can be modified to get the correct pitch. You'll need to provide the boat size and displacement, engine HP, transmission ratio, and the distance from the center of the prop shaft to the hull above it.
If your existing prop cannot be modified, then you have a choice to go with a folding/feathering prop or a fixed blade. Each has its own advantages which have already been identified. My preference, as an astute reader might have surmised, is the Max Prop. Others have come to a different conclusion. In the end it is what is best for your intended use and your budget.