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Old 19-04-2017, 03:46   #1
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Folding/ feathering Props for yanmar sd20 sail drives Flexo Fold vs Kiwi, vs ???

Looking for input and opinions on new props for our catamaran with yanmar sd20 drives.
Engines are 2gm20f.
Flexofold makes a nice composite Hubbed 2 blade that they say eliminates all corrosion on the entire prop. The reports are good but they cannot seem to answer any questions on antifouling the props, and their communication is weak at best.
Kiwi props look good with the 3 bladed, at the same price as the flexofolds, but I have read reports of worse fuel economy, and stalling of our little engines in reverse.
Martec no longer making props so they are out.
Any current input or opinions are greatly appreciated, what's out there, how is performance, pros, cons?
It's a big purchase and we want to get it right.
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Old 19-04-2017, 04:24   #2
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Re: Folding/ feathering Props for yanmar sd20 sail drives Flexo Fold vs Kiwi, vs ???

We have been using 3 bladed VP folding props for years.
They work great.
We paint them with zinc paint.
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Old 22-04-2017, 09:55   #3
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Re: Folding/ feathering Props for yanmar sd20 sail drives Flexo Fold vs Kiwi, vs ???

I have a yanmar SD20 with a 3 blade flexofold prop and it works great. I was in a two day class with Nigel Calder earlier this month and he went on at length about why he prefers flush folding props (he specifically cited Flexofold) over the feathering ones (mostly stories about lines/nets, etc. catching & wrapping on the feathering props). Hope this helps. PS: I wish I had the composite props if only to lesson the concerns of galvanic corrosion that are inherent in the SD20.
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Old 28-04-2017, 01:53   #4
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Re: Folding/ feathering Props for yanmar sd20 sail drives Flexo Fold vs Kiwi, vs ???

Thanks, I end the tests were they compared 14 different props. Looks like the flexofold 2 blade outperforms most other 3 blades in most areas. I think we're ordering g the 2blade composites.
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