SO 37 Propeller

[neilbrand]

I ahve a 2000 SO 37 with a 3GM30F engine and a 2 bladed prop. I would like to add a larger 3 bladed prop. Does anyone have a recomendation, or know who to contact for advice? I am presently in the BVI

[MartyB]

You are going to go with a folding/feathering one are you not? as a 3 blade will be on heck of an anchor vs a 2 blade fixed when sailing.

Down there, I am not sure whom to contact. But if you know the brand, assuming Folding/feathering, you can look online to find local dealers, along with most will tell you via an email what would work best for your boat.

Marty

[Don Reaves]

Look for the threads on Kiwi Prop. I replaced my fixed 2-blade prop with one last year and heartily recommend it. The price is right, it's easy to maintain, and it improves sailing performance and reverse thrust.

Don

[sailby2]

Just wondering what you see as the rationale for going to a three blade? I have a SO37 with a Martec geared folder and the boat motors the same as the original 2 blade fixed (if not better) while definitely improving sailing speed by reducing drag. As mentioned by the earlier post, a three blade fixed is a huge hunk of metal to drag around.

Regards,

[so40gtb]

Neil,

I have a Kiwi on my SO34.2, as does a SO37 owner who winters his boat in the same yard as mine. We both are very pleased with our 3-bladed feathering props, particularly their reverse thrust capability and minimal prop-walk. As the Kiwi uses composite blades, it's not as heavy as the pricey brass feathering and folding 3-bladed props. And it won't pinch or cut your hand when being manipulated on the hard. Kiwi has user statistics on the speed benefits of its product.

My Kiwi is two years old this month. I scrubbed it off today in preparation for launch and will lube it tomorrow. There is minimal visible wear. The blades move as freely as they did when it was new. And, should the blades be damaged or deteriorate at some unknown time in the future, you simply replace them, at very reasonable cost.

The best of the brass featherers/folders might be a bit better, but at triple the cost. Dollar for dollar, you can't go wrong with a Kiwi.

-- Karl

[gre2]

Neil

We also have a SO 37 and we had a 3 blade prop on the boat when we bought it. It was a good prop but no power in reverse and like dragging an anchor around with you. We also bought the Kiwi prop and love it. Hope this is helpful.

Garry Grant Liberte'

[electricmonk]

I had a 2000 SO37 and the 2 blade prop (16 x 11) produced a lot of vibration. After much reading, leaning and calculating I changed it for a 3 blade 16 x 11 and performance under engine was much improved and the vibration went, there was no real difference in sailing performance (sailed with a 2001 SO37 with a two blade and had no trouble passing it under sail!.

As far as I know my boat was the one that caused Jeanneau to change all 37's to 3 bladed props.