Prop Wars ... Again?

[Paul Mermelstein]

No, not really. But since it's been a while since much has been said about folding and feathering props, I thought I would ask:

From your direct experience with either Gori, Maxprop, or Autoprop, how satisfied have you been? What are the pros and cons to your prop? How about prop walk, maneuverabilty at slow speed, etc.? What about repairs, maintenance, and reliability? Oh, please state what boat and engine hp you have.

BTW, I have read up on these props and I understand how they work from a design standpoint. I understand each is very different from the others. I am looking for real world experiences.

Thanks.

Paul

 

[Ross]

If you don't race I don't see any benefit.

 

[Les]

I had a Gori on a Hunter 35.5 and I had a Max 3 blade on my Hunter 380 and I now have a Max 3 blade on my Hunter 27.

I bought a new Hunter 380 which seemed to be having rudder problems (eventually corrected by Hunter) and I asked which prop seems to give the least prop walk either forward or astern. Most propeller stores in the Puget Sound area recommended the Max prop. We installed one on the 380 and with the advice of CRI, the distributer, we put on a three blade prop.

The Max prop does seem to give as little prop walk as any prop I've ever had. And also in reverse it is the best prop I've ever had (I had had ten new sailboats). Once the rudder was fixed on the 380 I felt that the Max prop was the best one I've ever had. While the dealer recommended a two blade, I did put on a three and it has proven to be a wise choice. They told me it would be smoother and it is. It makes the engine purr. And I can back into any slip without a problem. I've actually had skippers at other docks come over to meet me after I had backed a length of docks to get into a slip. They thought i had a lot of skill--not true, the prop did all the work but I did take the glory anyway.

The three bladed Max prop was so good for me that when we down sized to the Hunter 27 to be used primarily as a day sailor and an occasional overnighter, we still put on a Max 3 blade prop. It just makes motoring smoother and easier to maneuver the boat. Once long ago I was a music teacher and I use to tell parents to get a decent instrument for their kids so that they would not have to fight the instrument. I don't have to fight my boat--same sort of thought.

Are there better props on the market? I really don't know but in a sense I have quit looking. I like what I have. Hope this helps.

 

[Tim R.]

If you don't race I don't see any benefit.

I race and benefit from my folding prop. But it is also good if you do not race. The forward and reverse motoring perfomance over the original fixed blade prop is noticable.

I have a FlexoFold and am very happy with it's price and performance. I know two other guys(crew on my boat) who bought them because of mine and they love theirs two.

http://www.flexofold.com/

 

[seadaddler]

my Flexofold

I also have a flexofold and very happy with it when I back into my slip and sailing performence.
After a year with my new 2007 H-36 I was not happy with the motoring max speed and slow sailing in light air and felt after checking with other owners with the 356/36 that the wrong pitch prop was on my boat so with the proper pitch and folding prop she handles so much better sailing faster and quicker in light air and all around sailing and motoring is so much better.
You do need to keep all folding props clean or they will not work properly,I left Florida to go north for about two months and when I came back the prop would not open and so after diving and cleaning the prop she worked just fine that is all it ever needs proper cleaning.
Nick

 

[Paul356]

Notable increase in performance by adding a folding or feathering prop in place of a fixed 3-blade, especially in light air. Racing or not, why would you ignore that. It's a sail boat, it ought to sail as well as possible.

I meant to add: I have a Kiwi, like it fine.

 

[Sandy Stone]

I also have a (2-blade) flex-o-fold prop on a Pearson 32 with a Yanmar 2GM20. As an occasional racer, I think the obvious sailing performance increase is reason enough to have a folding prop. A sometimes overlooked benefit for non-racers is the greatly reduced tendency to hook crab trap lines, at least while sailing.

 

[larryw]

I had a two-blade folding on a C-30 turned by a Uni 5411. I'm sure it improved sailing performance over a fixed three blade, but a fixed two-blade can be rotated so it lines up with the keel. My Bene has a MaxProp three-blade that I like a lot. Good thrust, forward and reverse, and minimal prop walk in reverse. It's a first-generation and must be disassembled and greased with every haulout.

 

[shorty]

Happy w/Kiwi

Pearson 34, Yanmar 3GMF 21 hp. replace two fixed blade w/feathering 3 blade.
Less drag sailing but I could not realistically quantify.
Much easier docking, way better in reverse, seems less prop walk although reverse being more positive lessens the wait time for reverse to take hold.
Do still put trans in reverse when sailing because shaft will still turn.