Hey everybody and happy holidays- I am still ponderingthe question of replacing my fixed 2 blader with a folding prop. I have a 94 335 with the Yanmar 3GM30 (I think) anyway I am concerned after visitng with the boat today as to whether there is room length wise to have a folder- The area from the strut to the leading edge of the rudder doen't appear over generous- I know others of you have done this would like to hear about your experience(s) Thanks
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Terrance Maloney
Would not do it!
I have an ‘89Hunter 28 with a Martec 15 x12 folding prop and I just got a new two blade fixed prop that I am replacing it with. I have to say that the cavitation that the folding causes under way is extremely annoying and the fact that the boat can not back out to save its life is reason enough to switch. If you race, a folding prop makes sense, however if you are just a cruiser the you will not notice the ½ knot advantage. Think carefully whether or not you want to deal with the irritating qualities of a folding prop before you switch.
I have an ‘89Hunter 28 with a Martec 15 x12 folding prop and I just got a new two blade fixed prop that I am replacing it with. I have to say that the cavitation that the folding causes under way is extremely annoying and the fact that the boat can not back out to save its life is reason enough to switch. If you race, a folding prop makes sense, however if you are just a cruiser the you will not notice the ½ knot advantage. Think carefully whether or not you want to deal with the irritating qualities of a folding prop before you switch.
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Anthony Bavuso
Do all folding props have these problems?
I am also considering a folding prop. And from the sales literature it seems that there are folding props that do not have the problems that Terrance suggests. Is that just sales literature is BS or is it just that the Martec that Terrance has is just not a good folding prop. Thanks.
I am also considering a folding prop. And from the sales literature it seems that there are folding props that do not have the problems that Terrance suggests. Is that just sales literature is BS or is it just that the Martec that Terrance has is just not a good folding prop. Thanks.
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Steve
Nigel
Nigel, I don't know about the room on a 33.5, but I am changing my prop this winter. I am using the boat for racing as well as cruising, and don't like other boats gaining when we tack or round a mark. Most of the boats in our club have folding props, and a few have feathering. Very few have fixed. If you race or really want that extra bit of speed in lighter air, then change your prop. Anthony, Folding props do have trade-offs, and the biggest is not having as much "bite", especially when backing. I went with a Gori that has the geared blades, and it is supposed to be a little better than an independant blade folding. No folding prop will do as well as a fixed, but it also won't have the drag when sailing. I'll let you know how it does after the race season starts. Steve
Nigel, I don't know about the room on a 33.5, but I am changing my prop this winter. I am using the boat for racing as well as cruising, and don't like other boats gaining when we tack or round a mark. Most of the boats in our club have folding props, and a few have feathering. Very few have fixed. If you race or really want that extra bit of speed in lighter air, then change your prop. Anthony, Folding props do have trade-offs, and the biggest is not having as much "bite", especially when backing. I went with a Gori that has the geared blades, and it is supposed to be a little better than an independant blade folding. No folding prop will do as well as a fixed, but it also won't have the drag when sailing. I'll let you know how it does after the race season starts. Steve
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Craig Young
Folding Prop / Feathering Prop
I have a Max Feathering prop and I would not have any other prop on my boat. I know they're expensive but the ability to back down and manouverin tight places is unbeliveable. I've had mine for 10 years.I race less now than I used to and i had no problems at all. Good luck on your decision.
I have a Max Feathering prop and I would not have any other prop on my boat. I know they're expensive but the ability to back down and manouverin tight places is unbeliveable. I've had mine for 10 years.I race less now than I used to and i had no problems at all. Good luck on your decision.
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Gilles Provost
folding prop
Take a look at the forum "Ask a sailor" dec 30 "Gori 3 blades folding prop." Good luck
Take a look at the forum "Ask a sailor" dec 30 "Gori 3 blades folding prop." Good luck
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hp
Consider this
Max-Prop, the high end feathering flavor of the folding-prop set, offers considerably more reverse torque than a conventional prop. I have found this particularly useful on those few occasions (right!) when I have run aground. My wife has been greatly relieved to know I can crank up the engine and back off a lot quicker thanks to the Max-Prop. The prop has other wonderful features, but this was an unintended one.
Max-Prop, the high end feathering flavor of the folding-prop set, offers considerably more reverse torque than a conventional prop. I have found this particularly useful on those few occasions (right!) when I have run aground. My wife has been greatly relieved to know I can crank up the engine and back off a lot quicker thanks to the Max-Prop. The prop has other wonderful features, but this was an unintended one.
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Nigel
Thanks
Thanks for all the feedback-I do race frequently throughout the sailing season which is the primary reason that I want a more slippery prop- I was looking at folding as the more economical, but still not sure if it will fit in my avaiable space- Hunter said to ask the prop guys- I hope that propguys don't ask me to ask Hunter- I 'll probably need to do some exact measuring (uh-oh another excuse to go to the boat) before I make my final decision- but you feathering guys got me seriously pondering that possibility, too- Thanks again
Thanks for all the feedback-I do race frequently throughout the sailing season which is the primary reason that I want a more slippery prop- I was looking at folding as the more economical, but still not sure if it will fit in my avaiable space- Hunter said to ask the prop guys- I hope that propguys don't ask me to ask Hunter- I 'll probably need to do some exact measuring (uh-oh another excuse to go to the boat) before I make my final decision- but you feathering guys got me seriously pondering that possibility, too- Thanks again
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