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19-07-2015, 19:23
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Atlanta
Boat: Tashiba 31
Posts: 20
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folding prop yes or no
31' Tashiba and thinking about a folding prop to gain a knot. What is your opinion?
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19-07-2015, 19:30
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: ‘01 Catana 401
Posts: 9,626
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Re: folding prop yes or no
I like the idea of an extra knot...
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19-07-2015, 19:30
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Up the mast, looking for clean wind.
Boat: Currently Shopping, & Heavily in LUST!
Posts: 5,629
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Re: folding prop yes or no
My first choice would be a feathering prop, like the Max Prop, or something similar. Maybe a Flex-o-Fold (?), I'm uncertain as to whether I have the name correct.
There are a lot of propeller threads on here, with loads of advice, including some empirical testing of the different options.
That said, yes, pretty much anything's better than a fixed prop. And it's not that folders are bad, they're just old technology anymore is all. But if they're all you're budget can handle, then definitely, snag one. And regardless of what you get, keep your old fixed prop around as a spare.
__________________
The Uncommon Thing, The Hard Thing, The Important Thing (in Life): Making Promises to Yourself, And Keeping Them.
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19-07-2015, 20:17
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Ma
Boat: X-Yacht Xc45
Posts: 67
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Re: folding prop yes or no
Yes to folding prop. I prefer 3blade for reverse.
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19-07-2015, 20:48
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#5
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: May 2012
Location: New Orleans
Boat: We have a problem... A serious addiction issue.
Posts: 3,974
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Re: folding prop yes or no
For a non-race boat I would probably go with a feathering prop instead of folding. They will give you most of the drag reduction (about 95% of it) but have much better performance under motor than the folders. Many feathering props actually have better thrust and control in reverse than fixed ones.
__________________
Greg
- If animals weren't meant to be eaten then they wouldn't be made of food.
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19-07-2015, 20:57
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#6
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2008
Location: cruising SW Pacific
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 21,151
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Re: folding prop yes or no
Quote:
Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED
My first choice would be a feathering prop, like the Max Prop, or something similar. Maybe a Flex-o-Fold (?), I'm uncertain as to whether I have the name correct.
There are a lot of propeller threads on here, with loads of advice, including some empirical testing of the different options.
That said, yes, pretty much anything's better than a fixed prop. And it's not that folders are bad, they're just old technology anymore is all. But if they're all you're budget can handle, then definitely, snag one. And regardless of what you get, keep your old fixed prop around as a spare.
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With all due respect, folding props are about equally 'old technology" as feathering props... they have both been around a long time.
The pros and cons--
Feathering
Pro: more static thrust in reverse
adjustable pitch (some models)
Cons: poor efficiency due to flat blades
complexity of design and structure
more maintenance required
cost
Folding
Pros
better efficiency due to twisted blade shape
slightly less drag sailing
simple mechanical design
cost (much less than feathering)
Cons
less static thrust in reverse
To me it is a no-brainer decision, and I have had several examples of each over the years. And IMO, the three blade Flex-O-Fold is the pick of the litter.
Jim
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Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, lying Port Cygnet Tasmania once again.
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19-07-2015, 21:41
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 5,983
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Re: folding prop yes or no
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Cate
With all due respect, folding props are about equally 'old technology" as feathering props... they have both been around a long time.
The pros and cons--
Feathering
Pro: more static thrust in reverse
adjustable pitch (some models)
Cons: poor efficiency due to flat blades
complexity of design and structure
more maintenance required
cost
Folding
Pros
better efficiency due to twisted blade shape
slightly less drag sailing
simple mechanical design
cost (much less than feathering)
Cons
less static thrust in reverse
To me it is a no-brainer decision, and I have had several examples of each over the years. And IMO, the three blade Flex-O-Fold is the pick of the litter.
Jim
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Could not agree more, I'm not aware of any feathering prop that has the forward thrust of the Flexofold.
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19-07-2015, 22:43
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Brisbane, Australia.
Posts: 1,338
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Re: folding prop yes or no
I have a three blade Kiwi prop and the next boat will have the larger 4 blade kiwi.
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Simon
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
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19-07-2015, 23:10
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, California - Read about our circumnavigation at www.rutea.com
Boat: Contest 48
Posts: 1,056
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Re: folding prop yes or no
We have almost 2,400 hours on our Gori 3-blade folding prop and couldn't be happier with it.
Our boat has an aft cabin and our engine is coupled to a hydraulic transmission, therefore, getting the prop to stop turning while underway sailing makes our cabin much quieter.
The Gori prop has two different pitches, one theoretically for forward and the other for reverse. However, you can drive the boat in either direction at either attitude, which give a huge advantage when maneuvering in tight quarters. Want some prop walk? Go in reverse with the prop in the forward attitude. Need some very powerful reverse? Switch the blades to the reverse attitude. Gori refers to the going-forward-with-the-blades-n-the-reverse-attitude overdrive but we rarely use the feature.
Also, the Gori requires no scheduled maintenance, unlike many feathering props. There are some rubber blade stops that need replacing periodically, but it's simple to do in the water.
Not only does the Gori come with a prop puller but it costs less than many feathering props.
Fair winds and calm seas.
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20-07-2015, 00:05
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Hobart
Boat: Alloy Peterson 40
Posts: 3,919
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Re: folding prop yes or no
I love my folding prop. It's so simple, and there is nothing to snag on ropes or weed. It's not brilliant in astern, but with sensible planning that's not a big issue for me. A bigger issue with some boats is that it can be hard to fit a folder in the space available behind the prop (ie rudder or skeg in the way). Even a feathering can be a a bit bigger than a fixed blade in aft clearances.
Also, the changeover won't give you an extra knot all the time. Up to a knot at times maybe, but probably more like half a knot, but hull speed limits will still apply.
But you may notice the boat being easier to steer, and needing less sail area, and heel for similar speeds. Another great advantage is no free wheeling prop. So for me a definate yes! Let us know how it works out for you.
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20-07-2015, 00:15
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Hobart
Boat: Alloy Peterson 40
Posts: 3,919
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Re: folding prop yes or no
Looking at the tashiba 31, it's going to be real hard to squeeze a folder in the aperture. Much as I prefer the folders I would think a two bladed feathering prop would work better on her, if aligned vertically it would reduce cross flow through the aperture and really help the steering, and the blades would be well protected from catching anything.
The extra grunt astern would be useful on a heavy long keeled hull like yours.
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20-07-2015, 00:41
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Boat: Bieroc 36 foot Ketch
Posts: 4,953
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Re: folding prop yes or no
Around what are we looking at for a price for each one?
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20-07-2015, 01:46
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Up the mast, looking for clean wind.
Boat: Currently Shopping, & Heavily in LUST!
Posts: 5,629
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Re: folding prop yes or no
On this, keep in mind too, that there are plenty of all of the types & models mentioned, which are available used. And also, some varieties of these kinds of props can be sent back to the factory for refurbishment, to put them into essentially new condition. IE; Replacing worn metal on the gears/teeth, filling in pitting on the blades, re-balancing the blades/props, etc.
So it pays, literally, to do a bit of research, prior to purchasing a new or used prop.
__________________
The Uncommon Thing, The Hard Thing, The Important Thing (in Life): Making Promises to Yourself, And Keeping Them.
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20-07-2015, 03:50
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#14
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S/V rubber ducky
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: heading "south"
Boat: Hunter 410
Posts: 20,363
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Re: folding prop yes or no
I doubt you will get a knot, but still say yes.
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Don't ask a bunch of unknown forum people if it is OK to do something on YOUR boat. It is your boat, do what you want!
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20-07-2015, 04:17
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,604
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Re: folding prop yes or no
How much speed increase depends on what the current prop is don't you think?
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