 |
| Flexofold 16x11 |
New folding prop is mounted. Flexofold is a danish brand, it is super solid and here are the reasons I liked this one more than the other ones (Gori, Martec): 1) No special designed anode that needs to be bought and replaced in a complicated manner (check out the normal 1" anode on the shaft). 2) The blades are connected with a gear, a Martec prop always has the chance that one blade is hanging down adding drag if the propeller is not exactly centered. 3) The Gori is also way more expensive. 4) Also, the chance of loosing the thing is minuscule vs. Gori (where I heard this happened a couple of times), and Martec (happened to me). First sea trial on the way back to Coyote Point: Man this thing has way more power than the 3blade fixed. At about 1700-1800rpm I get max speed around 7.0kn (!) Let's see how that translates into fuel economy! With the old prop I barely ever got above 5.5kn (@2200rpm). The new smooth bottom may contribute as well, who knows. One downside the yard manager already warned me of: There are quite some added vibrations since the substantial weight of the Flexofold is at the end of the shaft and there is no supporting bearing behind the cutlass bearing. There is some concern that the cutlass bearing will start leaking eventually. Oh well, time will tell. The T34C cutlass bearing is quite solid and I haven't heard that anybody had issues with this and a folding prop. I sure love the speed I get with this prop. Reversing in the marina was no big deal, the boat pretty much stopped on a dime.
