Helia 44: Sail Drives and Props

[Skededel]

Originally Posted by yeloya

We have 2 Helias ; one 40 HP the other 55 HP. Both came with folding props out of the factory, I think they are Volvo but not sure.
In my view 55 HP is too much and useless. When manoeuvring in calm weather even at idle, the boat is difficult to control. (moves very fast both ways)
With one engine at 2.200 rpm >6 kts, 7 if you push a bit more. Two engines >8, up to 8,5 when pushed.
40 HP s is roughly a knot slower in the same conditions.

No problem with props when manouevring and under sail.I think 40 HP is OK unless you are up to strong wind and big seas..

Cheers

Yeloya

You seem very knowledgeable so I am hoping that you can help. We are looking at an orana that has two 30 hp engines. In your opinion is this underpowered? Application: coastal sailing from Maine to Caribbean and then canal to home in Seattle. Not anticipating Atlantic or trans pacific crossing. We are transitioning from a Beneteau 44.7 to a cat so I'm a cat newbie looking for advice.

Irv

[yeloya]

Originally Posted by Skededel

You seem very knowledgeable so I am hoping that you can help. We are looking at an orana that has two 30 hp engines. In your opinion is this underpowered? Application: coastal sailing from Maine to Caribbean and then canal to home in Seattle. Not anticipating Atlantic or trans pacific crossing. We are transitioning from a Beneteau 44.7 to a cat so I'm a cat newbie looking for advice.

Irv

I am afraid 30 HP engines for Orana wil not be a good idea. You willl have to use both engines in cases you could with one engine of 40 HP, will have to use always a bit higher RPM's which means more comsumption, more noise and vibration. If you installl a cheap folding props, the situation will become even worse. (folding props make a huge difference in catamarans under sail v s. monos and to me they are imperative)
In addition, you would beg for more power when yopu will be docking/undocking in strong winds on the beam..
If you really liked the boat and the price is OK , you may consider changing them with 2X40 HP. This should cost around 12-15.000 USD.

Cheers

Yeloya

[PapaLulu]

Originally Posted by yeloya

I am afraid 30 HP engines for Orana wil not be a good idea. You willl have to use both engines in cases you could with one engine of 40 HP, will have to use always a bit higher RPM's which means more comsumption, more noise and vibration. If you installl a cheap folding props, the situation will become even worse. (folding props make a huge difference in catamarans under sail v s. monos and to me they are imperative)
In addition, you would beg for more power when yopu will be docking/undocking in strong winds on the beam..
If you really liked the boat and the price is OK , you may consider changing them with 2X40 HP. This should cost around 12-15.000 USD.

Cheers

Yeloya

I have hull# 89 with two 55hp. The folding props are indeed Volvo. Haven't had issues with the folding props and am very pleased with the 55s. I simply feather the controls if I need a light touch and feel much more secure with the added power when in a strong current/wind.

[Cotemar]

Helia 44 Owners,

We have the factory Volvo Penta 3 blade folding props, which work great.

For anyone interested in PYI MaxProps.

Brand new set of PYI MaxProps to replace the factory fixed blade props on a Fountaine Pajot Helia 44.

$4,500 each

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnDEZ5w9Zmc

[Lady Roslyn]

Hi Cotemar. Nic from Saba 50 "Lady Roslyn" here. We have Volvo D75's. Are you able to email me the exact procedure (with images if you have, please) for replacing the zinc's while the boat is in the water. Your help will be most appreciated. Cheers Nic. Email: nic@wwh.co.za

Sent from my SM-N920C using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Cotemar]

FP Helia 44 / Saba 50 Owners,

Originally Posted by Lady Roslyn

Hi Cotemar. Nic from Saba 50 "Lady Roslyn" here. We have Volvo D75's. Are you able to email me the exact procedure (with images if you have, please) for replacing the zinc's while the boat is in the water. Your help will be most appreciated.

Nic,

We use two ways to change the 3 segment prop zincs and clean the hull bottom when the boat is in the water.

1) We just use a Snorkel & Mask and a 4mm Allen wrench to change the 3 segment prop zincs and clean the Helia 44 folding props.

2) Hookah DIY is what we use to clean the hull, props and sail drive or just dive around the boat upto 75 feet.

See attached pictures of details on both ways.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Here’s the final details of our Hookah DIY, if it may help other CF members.

1) California Air Tools 2010ALFC Ultra Quiet, Oil-Free & Lightweight.
1.0 hp Industrial Air Compressor, 2.0 gallon, 35 lbs $255
4.00 CFM at 40 PSI & 3.00 CFM at 90 PSI; Max 125 PSI. Ultra Quiet 60 decibels
4000 hour motor life. MP100LF motor/pump. 110V 60 Hz - 7.6 Amps. 1400 RPM
2.0 Gallon Aluminum (Rust-Free) Air Tank.
L (17.3") x W (14.2") x H (14.6")

2) Campbell Hausfeld MP513803av filter / water separator $16.29

3) 75 foot certified air breathing hose scuba/ hookah with Cressi regulator with Walmec quick connects.
Cressi Octopus XS2 is a 2nd stage with adjustable air flow. From GatorGillunit.com $289

4) 360 Degree Swivel Scuba Diving 2nd Stage Octo Regulator Adapter $25 on ebay

I get 2 minutes of breathing just from what’s in the 2 gal. tank before the compressor starts to fill again.

This compressor is so amazingly quiet.

Note: You could save another $100 if you purchased the California Air Tools 2010A instead of the 2010ALFC Industrial Series

Total cost of this Hookah ,DIY was $585

.
.

[AllenRbrts]

After upgrading my Helia to 4 bladed Max Props I have a couple of the Volvo 3 bladed folding 18x16 props for sale. They are in great shape with no dings or damage.

[yeloya]

Price and place pls ?

[AllenRbrts]

In the US (west coast). $1000 for both, $600 for one. Shipping not included.

[geoffgroves]

So how are you finding the Max Props. We just got our Helia 44 this week and the folding props are fine but out last cat (48ft) I put a set of Seahawk Autostream 3 blade feathering props on (replaced fix blade) and they were great, so I would love to know how the Max props are going.

[PapaLulu]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

FP Helia 44 / Saba 50 Owners,



Nic,

We use two ways to change the 3 segment prop zincs and clean the hull bottom when the boat is in the water.

1) We just use a Snorkel & Mask and a 4mm Allen wrench to change the 3 segment prop zincs and clean the Helia 44 folding props.

2) Hookah DIY is what we use to clean the hull, props and sail drive or just dive around the boat upto 75 feet.

See attached pictures of details on both ways.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Here’s the final details of our Hookah DIY, if it may help other CF members.

1) California Air Tools 2010ALFC Ultra Quiet, Oil-Free & Lightweight.
1.0 hp Industrial Air Compressor, 2.0 gallon, 35 lbs $255
4.00 CFM at 40 PSI & 3.00 CFM at 90 PSI; Max 125 PSI. Ultra Quiet 60 decibels
4000 hour motor life. MP100LF motor/pump. 110V 60 Hz - 7.6 Amps. 1400 RPM
2.0 Gallon Aluminum (Rust-Free) Air Tank.
L (17.3") x W (14.2") x H (14.6")

2) Campbell Hausfeld MP513803av filter / water separator $16.29

3) 75 foot certified air breathing hose scuba/ hookah with Cressi regulator with Walmec quick connects.
Cressi Octopus XS2 is a 2nd stage with adjustable air flow. From GatorGillunit.com $289

4) 360 Degree Swivel Scuba Diving 2nd Stage Octo Regulator Adapter $25 on ebay

I get 2 minutes of breathing just from what’s in the 2 gal. tank before the compressor starts to fill again.

This compressor is so amazingly quiet.

Note: You could save another $100 if you purchased the California Air Tools 2010A instead of the 2010ALFC Industrial Series

Total cost of this Hookah ,DIY was $585

.
.

Thanks for this. Was looking at doing the same.

[R2boat]

Hey guys, we are new Lipari owners with 2 new VP 30hp engines but fixed props,could someone tell me which 3 bladed folding props we need, assume VP props...any thing else needed to swap out the fixed ones.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by R2boat

Hey guys, we are new Lipari owners with 2 new VP 30hp engines but fixed props,could someone tell me which 3 bladed folding props we need, assume VP props...any thing else needed to swap out the fixed ones.

Here is what you need for 3 blade folding props for the VP D1-30

[Escape_Velocity]

Still curious about David’s original question: assuming you’re installing folding props, is it worth the extra cost to install flexfold vs Volvo’s?

Geoff

[Helia 44]

Hello Escape,

I may be the only ONE to have owned both late model Volvo Penta folding props, in a 2013 Helia 44, and as of two months ago a 2015 Saba 50... I brought the Saba home from the Whitsundays to Mooloolaba, so I do have 8 days out there with her, and my answer would be NO, not worth the expense and bother.

Not even sure if they are better. The Volvo props do not foul badly in the mechanism, and as long as you keep up the zincs (can go two years but check in one) they work very well and show no problems. Lock up the transmission in gear when sailing, and the duck foot folding works very well. I would not change, spend you money elsewhere...

Kind regards, Helia 44/ now blessed to own a Saba 50