[C320-list] Kiwi Prop Autoprop Comments

[Jon Vez]

I am also very happy with my Autoprop. Have had it for 8 seasons and really
love it. I cut a 'notch' out of my strut to accommodate the pivoting. The
main reason I opted for the AP was for the self pitching capability. I also
use about .15 less gallons per hour when motoring. Expensive, but in my
opinion worth it--

Regards,

Jon Vez
Solstice #582

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Robert E.
Sloat
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2010 11:09 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Kiwi Prop Autoprop Comments

Andrew-Ditto on the Autoprop which I have on my 2002 320 for 6 years now.  A

little pricy.  Boat show price and no sales tax to boot helped a little.
I do sometimes miss the prop walk with my old OEM fixed 3 blade when doing 
pivot turns in tight quarters, but otherwise a good performer.

Did you use a spacer on the Autoprop installation to keep the blades from 
brushing the strut during the pivot from forward to reverse?  I installed a 
5/8 in. spacer on the prop shaft to make it a little longer to eliminate any

possibility of contact during blade pivoting when shifting between forward 
and reverse.  I am considering removing the spacer since the prop shaft is 
at the maximum recommended 1.5 inches distance from the prop front hub to 
the strut with the spacer and am concerned about cutlass bearing wear as the

prop is heavier than the original 3 blade fixed prop as are most of the 
feathering ones.  It is a simple trick to remove the spacer and go back to 
the original prop shaft length.

Bob Sloat
Savannah #894
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andrew Santangelo" <andrew_santangelo at mac.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2010 5:37 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Kiwi Prop


> Well I cannot speak for the Kiwi Prop, however the Autoprop has worked 
> fantastic for me all these years.
>
> Great for racing (even cruising without being dragged down), max speed at 
> lower RPM, no prop walk, no calibration need, easy to install - and it 
> just works!
>
> The Autoprop is a must have investment.
>
> Andrew
> #333
> C320 "Dawn Treader"
> Pier 39
> San Francisco
>
> On Nov 15, 2010, at 3:38 PM, Rick Evans wrote:
>
>> I've been thinking of a feathering prop for a while but the price has
>> deterred me. I've seen a lot of you have Kiwi's I would like to get 
>> opinions
>> Pros Cons etc.
>>
>> Is the pitch difficult to get right for a C320 with a yanmar?
>> Does anyone paint it? Pros Cons?
>>
>> Anything else helpful for installation shaft diameter? Left or right
>> rotation? Maximum radius?
>>
>>
>> Rick 724
>
>