[C320-list] Gori vs Flex-o-fold vs Kiwi props

[Charles Greenwell]

I have the FOF.  I went through a painstaking process for selecting
which prop to buy.  Feathering versus folding was one issue.  I finally
set a budget and got the best prop that I could afford for that budget. 

 

I have the 3 bladed FOF (15x9). NO maintenance. I change the zinc on the
prop every year whether is needs it or not. The zincs are easy to get
since the FOF is now OEM on many boats, like some of the newer
Catalinas.  I have a diver clean the prop when he does the bottom, 2
times a year.  Very import here in the Chesapeake.  If the prop gets a
bunch of barnacles, it will vibrate and scare the hell out of you.

 

It is a heavy prop.  If your boat is more than 3 years old, CHANGE your
cutlass bearing when you put the prop on.

 

Sailing performance has improved dramatically in light air.

 

Prop walk is virtually gone.

 

The only thing that I am not sure about is if I should have bought a
different size and pitch.  I was the first Catalina 320 they sold to so
I wonder if they made the right choice in providing me a 15x9.  There
are some people who think that a 16 incher would have been better since
the prop has a larger hub and the blades are smaller than the fixed
pitch prop and the prop blades sit a little further back on the shaft.
Also, with a pitch of 9, I believe that I am a little over powered, in
that in calm seas, I can reach hull speed at about 2900 rpm and rarely
have I been able to get to more than 3200 rpm. 

 

Randy

LeBijou 719