For the Oceanians...

[Amgine]

What's the local opinion/lore regarding the Hydralign props?

[fstbttms]

Looks like Max Prop has a patent infringement case to pursue.

Max Prop


Hydralign

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Looks like Max Prop has a patent infringement case to pursue.

I'm sorry, I don't see the simularity. All self-fethering props are basiclly the same to one extent or another.

To Amigine, I'd like to see one on my work bench as to it's quality. Sorry, I have no experience with Hydralign....................._/)

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

I'm sorry, I don't see the simularity. All self-fethering props are basiclly the same to one extent or another.

You don't see the similarity between two props that "are basically the same"?

I was just joking, anyway. I guess you didn't get it.

[Alan Wheeler]

Yes I see the similarity and I get your tongue in cheek.
And not being know it all here, but just for interest, It only requires a change of 1% to get you outside a patent. As Del stated, and put slightly another way, how many different ways can you make a self-feathering prop.

[GordMay]

Generally speaking, in order to be patentable, an invention has to be new, useful, and unobvious.

”What is Patentable?” ~ University of Texas at Austin
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/engin/pate...ial/whatis.htm

By way of example, my brother received a U.S. Patent for a bookmark. You’d think it difficult to advance the state-of-art (newness) on such a simple device.
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6015166-fulltext.html

[Holding Pattern]

We have a Hydralign 17". Previous owners got it in NZ during their circumnav. They raved about it. We have had Holding Pattern for 18 months now and we have mixed reviews.
First the good: Hydralign comes apart as one piece. I understand Max props don't, that the blades disassemble underwater. Hydralign is easy to disassemble, re-pitch, grease, whatever.
Now the bad: we have had to "mess with" it twice in less than a year. Both times the blades have frozen in place, in a "off" position. We were struggling for 3kts. First time is still a mystery why, this time the grease point cap was missing and a bit of "gunk" had gotten in there and I assume this is why it siezed.
It is now sitting here apart waiting for me to re-pitch and assemble today.

[thaisail]

I know this thread is 13 years old but we are getting ready to by a Hydalign Aperature B, 20" 3 blade prop and we would like to know how long the Hydralign lasted. Or is it still working?