What works best with an offset shaft in a Sabre32

[LeeHound]

I am ready to improve performance of my Sabre32 by reducing drag! What works best with the Sabre's offset shaft? Folding props should be geared, so one blade doesn't hang half open when sailing? Or should I avoid folding alltogether and only go with feathering? The brand "Flex-O-Fold" Props wants to make us believe, that their 2 blade foldings would outperform even a fixed 2 blade in forward thrust? (Happened during West Coast Boat Show 2002) Too good to be true?The more I study this whole issue, the more it gets confusing. What about size, pitch in my boat? (Westerbeke 21, 2:1, RH)To make my concerns even more confusing: I am not willing to spend thousends of dollars for less than 1/2 knot speed improvements.Thanks for helping!Lee H.

 

[JPF]

RE: Prop for Sabre 32

Lee,I recently put a 3 blade Max Prop on my 30 footer. Performance under sail has definitely improved.I could not be happier with the motoring performance, especially in reverse. Prop walk was all but eliminated and I have observed about a 15% improvement in speed under power as compared to my old 2 blade fixed prop.They are expensive, but I wish I had done it sooner.

 

[Jeff W.]

Flex-o-fold works very well

I put a Flex-o-fold prop on my Sabre 28 and it provided a noticeable improvement both under sail and under power; reverse is never a folding prop's best feature but it seemed not much different than the original fixed prop. The folding prop will provide the best performance (least drag) under sail . A feathering prop (Maxprop or Autoprop) provides less drag when sailing than a fixed prop but more than the folding. The feathering props are generally much more expensive than the Flex-o-Fold too....

 

[Doug T.]

Max prop

The Sabre mailing list just had a long discussion about Max-Prop. If you're not already a subscriber, you can sign up (and read archives) on www.sailnet.com

 

[Kevin]

Prop

Hello Lee,As to not make this site an advert for my prop, I will not tell which one I would choose! Because your shaft is offset I would consider a three blade over a two blade. We work a great deal with Sabre and almost all low drag props to run through us to them where of three blades. The three blade seemed to have less vibration issues pop up. Good luck in making a choice. Kevin

 

[LeeHound]

Thanks, JPF

HI,it appears, most replies suggest a 3 blade, specifically the max prop. So, I guess, this is the -expensive- way to go. Thanks again!Lee

 

[LeeHound]

Kevin, You are talking Max prop, don't you?

Since you are working a lot with Sabre and props, would you have any idea, what I have to put on my Sabre 32,Model 85, with a Westerbeke 21? IF I decide to buy this expensive piece of equippment.Thanks for your help and reply!Lee