Folding prop for a Jeanneau 41 DS

[whiteswan]

I am considering fitting a folding prop to my Jeanneau 41DS, would appreciate any recommendations and experience fellow Jeanneau sailors have.

[sitara]

Hi Whiteswan,
A folding or feathering prop will make a huge difference to your boat. I gained about 0.75 knot boat speed, pointed a lot higher and the boat was quieter and smoother to sail. There are numerous threads on choice of prop and it probably comes down to personal choice and cost.
Folding props have least drag but not the stopping power in reverse, feathering props have a tad more drag, good stopping in reverse and the ability to set pitch as well but can cost more.

[vasko]

In a rough, coppy, confuzed see and the Admiral screeming to arrive in the marina ASAP there is no better partm
nezthen big and powerfull 3 blade fixed prop...  But in the same time therenot worse and annoing thing when sailing in low to medium wind then fixed prop....

and the trade off's are feathering and folding props ... Feathering tends to be more towards the fixed prop with minimal drag on wind power , but a lot more expensive then the folding props... 

Petsonally I'm with folding prop..

[Trevor]

I have a 3 blade Slipstream prop on Sapphire. Here is the link. www.australpropeller.com.au/seahawk-slipstream/

I am amazed at how well this thing works. Low drag when sailing, plenty of bight in reverse.

All good..

Cheers

[sitara]

Likewise on Elessar, great prop.

[On y va]

Depends a bit where you are based too. I am sure this Aussie Slipstream is fine, but I wouldn´t buy it if I was based in Europe or the USA.

Not a folding prop fan myself, but If you are in Europe and from experience with many boats, the Gori 3 bladed unit would be my choice.

It has an overdrive, which means it has excellent performance at lower revs, thus economic and engine friendly and in general less engine noise at he same speed. It has tremendous traction at both 2.200 rpm and 3.000rpm compared to any other folding prop. In reverse it´s traction is nearly as high as the famed Maxprops. The miles per litre are very good and come close to fixed props. Stopping power is also one of the best. Acceleration well above average.

But.....at a price. But in my view a propellor is not something you should save on.

For what it is worth

[so40gtb]

Feathering Props:

Voyageur has a MaxProp. It works well, especially when you top off the grease before spring launch annually. It has excellent power in reverse, but does have some prop walk to port until there's just a little rearward velocity.

I fitted a Kiwi Prop on our prior boat, En l'Air, a SO34.2, shortly after it was acquired. The Kiwi has less very little prop walk, but not quite as much reverse "bite" when berthing. It costs a lot less, too.

If I had a conventional 3-blade, I would buy the Kiwi to save significant money. But I've gotten used to the prop walk of the MaxProp and have used it to my advantage for certain berthing maneuvers. I don't think the high-end feathering props are worth their extra cost unless you're a serious racer.

--Karl

[On y va]

Apr 23, 2016 3:50:10 GMT so40gtb said:

Feathering Props:

Voyageur has a MaxProp. It works well, especially when you top off the grease before spring launch annually. It has excellent power in reverse, but does have some prop walk to port until there's just a little rearward velocity.

I fitted a Kiwi Prop on our prior boat, En l'Air, a SO34.2, shortly after it was acquired. The Kiwi has less very little prop walk, but not quite as much reverse "bite" when berthing. It costs a lot less, too.

If I had a conventional 3-blade, I would buy the Kiwi to save significant money. But I've gotten used to the prop walk of the MaxProp and have used it to my advantage for certain berthing maneuvers. I don't think the high-end feathering props are worth their extra cost unless you're a serious racer.

--Karl

I think a Kiwi Prop is not the way to go on a 41ft boat. You are really nearing it's limits.

The Maxprop you have Karl, which I assume is the 3 bladed classic version? I also have that one under my SO40. They are good, but dated. They are not brilliant on fuel consumption compared to more modern props and not straight forward to assemble and disassemble. I wouldn't buy it again, nor recommend it.

[hoppy]

Flexofold 3 Blade

www.flexofold.com/

Download the yachting monthly comparison test that Flexofold happily links to on their front page.

[hoppy]

Btw if you do upgrade, keep your original on board and all parts (including spare keys)

[ianpowolny]

We went for a Darglow Featherstream. We have been very impressed with it. We thought going astern was not so good and spoke to Darglow about it. They have made us a new cassette to change the astern angle FOC and supplied the change out tools for a deposit. Ian

Prop without anode.

[On y va]

WHat size prop is that ianpowolny ?

Installed some Featherstream props and the owners of these boats were very content with them. One even called it a transformation of his boat. And at least they are not crazy money either.

[ianpowolny]

Marco, I just spoke to Darglow. They keep all the prop, engine and gear box details. They say we have a 20" x 12" pitch RH on a 35mm shaft. The cost of this new today will be £1348 + Vat + delivery. This includes the, at the moment, low season discount of 15%. Delivery in the UK is £20. We had ours delivered to NW Spain for £25. The deal includes the first change of cassette if your not happy with the performance.

Tracy, said 'Fitting is so easy a girl could do it.' I don't know as this man didn't fit his.

I think we gained about 0.5 to 0.75 kts and still have great in marina moverability. Yes I'd say transformational.

Ian

[Spritz]

I have a 42DS and I mounted an Autoprop!
i am extremely satisfied, I gained 1 knot at the same RPM and almost the same under sail.
it gives an impressive power also in high sea.

[jg]

I have had an Autoprop on my 40DS since 2000. It works wonderfully both in forward and when backing. Last year, after 15 years of service, and luckily right in front of Champlin's Marina at Block Island, one of the three blades became unattached and was lost. I was still able to back into a slip. Luckily I had kept the original 3 blade fixed propeller on board and was able to swap the two. I took the Autoprop to AB Marine in Middletown, RI, the Autoprop agents in the northeast. They sent it back to England where the missing blade was replaced and the entire Autoprop was refurbished and returned to me. So now it is like new.

[ianpowolny]

May 1, 2016 16:16:03 GMT jg said:

I have had an Autoprop on my 40DS since 2000. It works wonderfully both in forward and when backing. Last year, after 15 years of service, and luckily right in front of Champlin's Marina at Block Island, one of the three blades became unattached and was lost. I was still able to back into a slip. Luckily I had kept the original 3 blade fixed propeller on board and was able to swap the two. I took the Autoprop to AB Marine in Middletown, RI, the Autoprop agents in the northeast. They sent it back to England where the missing blade was replaced and the entire Autoprop was refurbished and returned to me. So now it is like new.

Now that's a great story to tell.