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Post by hoppy on Sept 2, 2015 7:53:17 GMT
The Flexofold is back on It seems that only half the thread of the lock nut is ever used. So the growth I saw was to be expected. I fitted the replacement screw kit which already had loctite on it. The prop nut locking screw did not have any loctite on it. I fitted all as per instructed rather than trying to "improve" it. It lasted 4.5 seasons that way. I will make it a standard haul out activity to disassemble and retighten the prop nut. The haul out at Olympic Marina was nasty @ €742.... It was not nice to pay but it was better to do this than to have to install the flexofold under water or to even just try to fold over the washer on the fixed prop to secure it. I will sleep better at night without the money
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Post by Damir on Sept 2, 2015 8:01:08 GMT
Hoppy
This is not good at all nut must grip full thread othervise is no sense place prop on it, you can expect fooling off again. Better palce old flex prop or you must adapt shaft for this flex. Ask producer of flexprop (send foto to them). For my opinon and my expirience this is not good at all.
Regards Damir
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Post by hoppy on Sept 2, 2015 8:26:31 GMT
The prop shaft goes about 16mm into the nut. The nut itself is 30mm deep with the first 18mm solid round and the rest hex shaped for the socket to tighten it. Based on the old growth in the nut on the fixed prop, the shaft goes in 21mm.
I suppose it all depends on whether the flexofold nut was designed to work with the 16mm of thread but then the extra 14mm just there for easy access for tightening. It's probably easier for them to make it with thread the full length.
I will email them however.
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Post by hoppy on Sept 2, 2015 8:36:20 GMT
Looking at the old nut, there is a circle where the nut locking screw dug into the nut and there is 2 grooves cut into the nut matching the outer edge of the locking screw that was obviously made as the nut was working it's way loose.
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Post by vasko on Sept 2, 2015 8:38:14 GMT
Damir, you are not 100% correct - it depends how the nut is designed and how long it is ... for example my nut is quite long and in the end of the thread it has imbus for thightening , hence it is expected to have part of the tread free ... but in ALL case Hoppy need to send the picture to Fall-off-fold and ask if this is expected/by design 742eur is outrageous! you just needed to go 1/2 mile further to Lavrion and the price is less then half... I pay in south France (which is expected to be expensive) 356eur for out/one week on the hard/in - including 30 minutes time on the crane to clean the keel under and paint it ... in the Saronic gulf (Poros/Eagina) the price for out + in of 40foot is 300eur
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Post by rene460 on Sept 2, 2015 9:58:11 GMT
Hi hoppy,
Good to see your propellor back in place and ready to go again.
It is an excellent picture showing that the locking screw was indeed originally on the cylindrical portion of the nut. Thank you for posting it. It will be interesting to see what Flex-O-Fold say about it. The picture is clear enough for them to confirm wether the back of the nut was properly against the end of the cavity in the propellor to properly hold it in place on the taper.
All the best as you continue home.
rene460
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Post by Damir on Sept 2, 2015 13:18:10 GMT
Vasko if you think i am wrong but why somebody make nut so long? For my opinion shaft konus is too short for my mechanical expirience and i was working on ships as superintendent for few shipping companies. If i am on palce of hoppy i will newer put this prop on this shaft and sail again is too dangerous. Also see on the nut there was locking pin but if is not hole on the shaft this nut is not from this prop. If he can machining deeper konus this will work good but for this shaft must going out to the machine shop. No one Insurance will pay damage to third party if see this picture owner will pay all damage.
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Post by hoppy on Sept 2, 2015 15:35:40 GMT
Vasko if you think i am wrong but why somebody make nut so long? For my opinion shaft konus is too short for my mechanical expirience and i was working on ships as superintendent for few shipping companies. If i am on palce of hoppy i will newer put this prop on this shaft and sail again is too dangerous. Also see on the nut there was locking pin but if is not hole on the shaft this nut is not from this prop. If he can machining deeper konus this will work good but for this shaft must going out to the machine shop. No one Insurance will pay damage to third party if see this picture owner will pay all damage.
The rounded part of the nut is a cosy fit to the inside of the prop hub and is what the locking screw grabs on to. Maybe a 16mm long nut is sufficient to hold the nut but because of the prop hub design, they had to design the nut to have the hex part beyond the actual area that holds the prop on, so the threaded area may be much longer than needed. The nut is from Flexofold, sent to me from Denmark over the weekend. I have just now sent the photo for Flexofold asking the question. FYI, this is the old prop fitted. It does not use a locking pin at all. The hole at the end of the nut is for an anode. The Nut is locked on by folding over the washer onto the flat surface on one side of the nut. I did not do this at the time as I was unaware until after I safely arrived at the marina. Someone on another forum who make his living from diving under boats changing props confirmed that this is hoe they are locked and does not like it as it is a pain to bend, in or out of water.
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Post by Damir on Sept 2, 2015 19:12:38 GMT
Hi hoppy
This is the best solution that you get ansver officialy from factory, if they say is ok you are with this letter covered for Insurance othervise you posibility that again prop can fall off. This can happened only when you put in achter never wiill happened when you going FWD. Cone on the shaft keep by friction in FWD position but aft all force is on the nut. If you decide to not change nothing try to manouver with boat smooth not with full power. I hope you get good answer from factory.
Regards Damir
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Post by vasko on Sept 3, 2015 8:14:54 GMT
Hoppy , you still look stranded at the Olympic Marina get a trip to Kea/Voukari literally feel like 1-2h sailing... or Kithnos/Merichas
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Post by hoppy on Sept 3, 2015 10:56:55 GMT
Not stranded at all in the way back to Poros. I only anchored off there as a night stopover and now are heading back there to check it out and restock the fridge as Olympic was useless and I could not be bothered taking a taxi to s supermarket. I went to the fuel dock this morning and it was noticeable how much the forward/reverse transitions were quieter. Clearly before it went the prop was sending me warning sounds which I just wrote off as normal noises associated with the folding. Doh!!!
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Post by vasko on Sept 3, 2015 12:51:12 GMT
good I need to check mine too as on forward in there is a clank sound that I assume it is from opening the prop ... BTW - don't forget Aegina main town is very good for stocking and you can rent a scooter and visit the Acropolis in the middle of the island and also the Monastery with the latest Greek saint : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nectarios_of_Aeginanorth side of Poros there is amazing small cove.. with perfect small pub and umbrellas from palm leaves... Vathi on Metana is very nice small harbour too
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Post by vasko on Sept 3, 2015 12:55:25 GMT
I has to confess I'm really jealous I love the Saronic Gulf.. hope the flight prices will become normal again I can move my boat again in Greece..
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