Propeller thread

[capn_billl]

I'm shopping for new propellers for my Leopard 44 with 4jh45 Yanmar saildrives.

The existing fixed 2 blade 17 X 15 are a little disappointing.

I believe they are undersized for the 45HP they are the standard, and the standard engine is smaller.

I'm shopping for folding props, and might as well go with a 3 blade while I'm at it.

The recommended 3 blade is 18 X 14.

SO my question is, who makes a decent folding prop for not too much.

If I end up going fixed, I'll stick with a 2 blade as I'm concerned about drag with a fixed 3 blade.

Anyone have an affordable folding prop to recommend?

[Perfect Ride]

This might be of interest to you...

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f114/max-props-on-saildrives-astern-of-the-rudder-244022.html

[Bean Counter]

We had a Lagoon 450, 4JH5E 54hp engines, SD 50 sail drives, Flexofold props 3 Blade 17". These provided plenty of oomph, 20T boat would do over 9 knots at WOT, had no problem operating in strong currents, big seas and so on. In reverse the traction was less, but then only used for slow docking maneuvers using no rudder, just engine control - takes some practice, but no that hard to do. Great when under way as the propeller "thrum" disappears when folded and there is no pressure or spin on the SD gears/clutch when sailing. Easy to clean and dismantle, needs an anode on the end which can be changed underwater. Not at all cheap. Think they are owned by Yanmar now.
See attached link:

http://www.flexofold.com/upload_dir/...onthly_low.pdf

[capn_billl]

SO far I've found
Gori = $4,994
Varifold = $2,937
Flexofold = $2,440
Max Prop = $3,149

My Props are in front of the rudder, so I'm not worried about the Lagoon Maxprop issue.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by capn_billl

SO far I've found
Gori = $4,994
Varifold = $2,937
Flexofold = $2,440
Max Prop = $3,149

My Props are in front of the rudder, so I'm not worried about the Lagoon Maxprop issue.

Well, since all the tests have shown FOF to be the best performing folding prop, the choice shouldn't be too hard!

Jim

[freeden]

have you looked at the Kiwi prop I think they are cheaper

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by capn_billl

SO far I've found
Gori = $4,994
Varifold = $2,937
Flexofold = $2,440
Max Prop = $3,149

My Props are in front of the rudder, so I'm not worried about the Lagoon Maxprop issue.

Max Prop is not a folding propeller.

Originally Posted by freeden

have you looked at the Kiwi prop I think they are cheaper

Neither is Kiwi Prop.

[EWOL Props]

Originally Posted by capn_billl

SO far I've found
Gori = $4,994
Varifold = $2,937
Flexofold = $2,440
Max Prop = $3,149

My Props are in front of the rudder, so I'm not worried about the Lagoon Maxprop issue.

Hi capn_bill, look at EWOL Propellers and you can ask for a quote here https://ewol-propellers.com/calculate-propeller/

[roryboy]

The J-prop is less than the Max prop and I think a much nicer piece.

https://betamarineusa.com/j-prop/

[Bean Counter]

With a folding prop, the blades are unlikely to catch crab pot lines, when folded. We found when negotiating crabbing areas that if we over ran a crab pot we would put relevant engine in neutral and hoped prop would fold if it hit the line. We ran over quite a few crab pot markers but never got a prop wrap on one, might have just been lucky though.

[Sail IC]

i went with 2 blade FOF. about 60% of the price of 3 blade.
Could not justify the price of the 3 blade, but i dont motor that much.
Best upgrade I done on my boat. FP Orana.

[freeden]

Hi fstbtms
your right KIWI props are feathering props folding props

[freeden]

that was meant to read feathering props not folding props

[mlydon]

Check out the autoprop as well - sort of a hybrid between feathering and folding. Constant automatic pitch change, as well....

I was going to get one, but ran across an excellent deal on a 4 blade maxprop....

Matt