I have what I presume is the standard prop on my boat 17" two blade Does anyone have any experience with any other type/size/feathering folding prop.
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Prop and 376
I have a 37.5. I went from a 2 blade to a 3 blade 17". Much better motoring, much less vibration. Then I went to an 18" Autoprop feathering prop. 3/4 knot increase sailing in lighter winds, tacks better, backs just like a champ and motors like a wow. I motor sail using 20% less fuel doing 1/2 knot or more better than with the 3 blade. The Maxi-prop from owners I have talked to is also good but you don't get the motor-sailing benefits and in fact, because of the blade design, I believe that you lose some motoriing power. There is a good Practical Sailor article on this prop.
I have a 37.5. I went from a 2 blade to a 3 blade 17". Much better motoring, much less vibration. Then I went to an 18" Autoprop feathering prop. 3/4 knot increase sailing in lighter winds, tacks better, backs just like a champ and motors like a wow. I motor sail using 20% less fuel doing 1/2 knot or more better than with the 3 blade. The Maxi-prop from owners I have talked to is also good but you don't get the motor-sailing benefits and in fact, because of the blade design, I believe that you lose some motoriing power. There is a good Practical Sailor article on this prop.
prop options
Like Chuck we have a 37.5 and went to the Autoprop. We have enjoyed the same benefits and especially like it's increased motoring performance in heavy weather as the boat does not slow as much when hitting a wave train and gets up to speed more quickly. It's expensive but my wife, who does all the driving, thinks it's the best investment we've made. The other props are flat bladed and you will loose some motoring performance. Let me know if you want more imformation. Dan Arsenault on Serendipity Too
Like Chuck we have a 37.5 and went to the Autoprop. We have enjoyed the same benefits and especially like it's increased motoring performance in heavy weather as the boat does not slow as much when hitting a wave train and gets up to speed more quickly. It's expensive but my wife, who does all the driving, thinks it's the best investment we've made. The other props are flat bladed and you will loose some motoring performance. Let me know if you want more imformation. Dan Arsenault on Serendipity Too
Props
Tony, I have been very happy with my Maxprop and even see better performance under power compared to a three bladed fixed prop. My only word of caution is that on the 380 (same hull as the 376) the Autoprop wouldn't fit because of clearance issues with strut. Bob, if you are listening, woulld you care to comment? Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again H380
Tony, I have been very happy with my Maxprop and even see better performance under power compared to a three bladed fixed prop. My only word of caution is that on the 380 (same hull as the 376) the Autoprop wouldn't fit because of clearance issues with strut. Bob, if you are listening, woulld you care to comment? Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again H380
Props, and Problems
Well since Paul mentioned my name here I'll weigh in with my tale of woe. I have a 99 H380 and ordered the boat with an Autoprop after careful consideration which I detailed earlier and I'm sure is archived on this site somewhere. One the day Serenity was to be launched I saw the autoprop be installed, and it was a thing of beauty. Great craftsmanship almost boardering on artistry. I was thrilled, then I spun the prop by hand and it wacked the strut with an overlap of several inches. Panic sets in, prop pulled, original 2 blade back on, boat goes in and the calls to Autoprop start. After several faulty answers on their part the final outcome was they said they don't make a prop for this boat as they say Hunter didn't leave enough clearance for the spinning blades that adjust to differing conditons. Ever though their brochure showed a picture of a 376 sailing the prop wouldn't fit. Their answer was for me to cut out a big chunk of the strut allowing clearance for their prop. Needless to say the prop went back to them and I still have the old 2 blade standard prop which stinks. See Paul I vent and I feel better
))) Autoprop was my answer and it failed for this boat, so I hope you do better than me! Maxprop is on the to do list but may get bumped by my wife's desire for a fridge :-(((( Good Luck Bob Knott
Well since Paul mentioned my name here I'll weigh in with my tale of woe. I have a 99 H380 and ordered the boat with an Autoprop after careful consideration which I detailed earlier and I'm sure is archived on this site somewhere. One the day Serenity was to be launched I saw the autoprop be installed, and it was a thing of beauty. Great craftsmanship almost boardering on artistry. I was thrilled, then I spun the prop by hand and it wacked the strut with an overlap of several inches. Panic sets in, prop pulled, original 2 blade back on, boat goes in and the calls to Autoprop start. After several faulty answers on their part the final outcome was they said they don't make a prop for this boat as they say Hunter didn't leave enough clearance for the spinning blades that adjust to differing conditons. Ever though their brochure showed a picture of a 376 sailing the prop wouldn't fit. Their answer was for me to cut out a big chunk of the strut allowing clearance for their prop. Needless to say the prop went back to them and I still have the old 2 blade standard prop which stinks. See Paul I vent and I feel better
))) Autoprop was my answer and it failed for this boat, so I hope you do better than me! Maxprop is on the to do list but may get bumped by my wife's desire for a fridge :-(((( Good Luck Bob KnottMaxProp on a H380
Paul, et.al... I have a '99 H380 which had a bad steering problem. Everyone said it was prop-walk because the boat always wanted to go to starboard. After a little research, I put on a 3 blade MaxProp and after a couple of adjustments, I am more than pleased. There is almost no vibrations at all speeds; we appear to be about a .5 to .8 knot faster. Backing down is outstanding--I don't know how else to describe it. Under sail it appears to be faster but I don't have enough data to substaniate any claims as yet. So far it is an excellent prop and I've had no problems. Prop Walk is minimal. The company does say to maintain the zincs since there are a lot of moving gears. The turning to starboard problem appears to have been a rudder problem and we are not on our second rudder. This is the same prop put on Swans and Oysters as standard equipment. I hope this helps. Les LeslieBlackwell@home.com
Paul, et.al... I have a '99 H380 which had a bad steering problem. Everyone said it was prop-walk because the boat always wanted to go to starboard. After a little research, I put on a 3 blade MaxProp and after a couple of adjustments, I am more than pleased. There is almost no vibrations at all speeds; we appear to be about a .5 to .8 knot faster. Backing down is outstanding--I don't know how else to describe it. Under sail it appears to be faster but I don't have enough data to substaniate any claims as yet. So far it is an excellent prop and I've had no problems. Prop Walk is minimal. The company does say to maintain the zincs since there are a lot of moving gears. The turning to starboard problem appears to have been a rudder problem and we are not on our second rudder. This is the same prop put on Swans and Oysters as standard equipment. I hope this helps. Les LeslieBlackwell@home.com
Props II
Bob, Thanks for your input, somehow I knew you would feel better. Les, the difference under sail is pretty incredible. If I do my job, I can usually do better than my dockmate with a 376 with the same rig (110 jib and Selden furling main). I do get prop walk in reverse, but that is no big deal as it is actually helpful in backing the boat into the slip. However it is no worse, and probably less than a fixed three bladed prop. Best wishes to all. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
Bob, Thanks for your input, somehow I knew you would feel better. Les, the difference under sail is pretty incredible. If I do my job, I can usually do better than my dockmate with a 376 with the same rig (110 jib and Selden furling main). I do get prop walk in reverse, but that is no big deal as it is actually helpful in backing the boat into the slip. However it is no worse, and probably less than a fixed three bladed prop. Best wishes to all. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
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