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

[Kirk McCullough]

I would consider changing zincs as a maintenance issue, but i'm sure it's no 
big deal.
I have the Kiwi prop now for 3 years, no zincs required, but it needs a 
squirt of lube any time the boat is hauled, ie every year or two.

Its a great prop, very light weight, no need to go to stainless shaft if you 
dont already have one. In reverse it has incredible bite, some might say too 
much bite as it has a very high pitch in reverse. Gets out of a slip in a 
hurry and stops the boat very quickly when needed.

It also has lots of bite in forward into a sea. Best of all is the speed 
improvment under sail particularly in light air. I installed it myself 
following the instructions and talking to the local rep once on the phone.

Kirk
#124
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charles Greenwell" <CGreenwell at sparusa.com>
To: <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 12:30 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Gori vs Flex-o-fold vs Kiwi props



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