[C320-list] Kiwi Prop

[Jerry]

We have now used our Kiwi Prop for 3 seasons.  Previously we had a fixed two 
blader on a previous 320 (hull 925).  The Kiwi prop has been great.  It 
arrived correctly pitched from the factory.  The original plastic blades are 
still in good order (at $100 each, changeable by knocking out a single pin I 
wondered if they would need replacing by now).  Top speed in calm conditions 
is the same a with the fixed prop.  Drive forward is noticeably stronger 
when beating into headwaves/winds etc.  We can maintain around 6 knots in 
heavy conditions where we would have been down to around 4 knots with the 
two blader.  Reversing is completely different.  The boat can be stopped 
dead in not much more than it's own length in emergencies once in gear which 
best describes the reverse power.  Manoeuvring is made extremely easy.  The 
time spent under power in reverse is so short that prop walk is much less of 
an issue.  You can get the boat going with a short application of power and 
then go into neutral if prop walk is going to be a problem in a particular 
situation.  We dock to port so that is how I generally leave the dock. 
Maintenance has consisted of removing the blades and greasing each year when 
the boat is on the hard, about 30 mins work, and painting with VC 17 when I 
put a coat on the rest of the hull in the spring.  You need to be careful 
when applying the VC 17 to make sure there are no runs as this can cause 
vibrations apparently.  The operation of the prop has been completely 
smooth.   We did have drive issues when the boat was delivered but they were 
cured eventually by new engine mounting adjustment plates (insufficient 
travel to permit alignment in the originals), new engine mounts and a new 
prop shaft and coupling.  The Kiwi prop was demonstrably better balanced 
than the two blader when the two were changed over during the fault finding 
process.

Under sail performance in light airs is improved.  Drag is marginally higher 
than with a folder (there was great article in UK Practical Sailor comparing 
the drag from the different prop types based on work conducted by a German 
University) but much less than a two blader.  There is no noticeable 
difference as far as I can tell over about 10 to 12 knots of wind with the 
sails trimmed.

For us price was a major consideration.  We have been really happy with the 
Kiwi prop, especially the improvement in the ease of docking.

Jerry
Indigo #1137

-----Original Message----- 
From: Simon Rock
Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2010 2:38 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Kiwi Prop

We fitted a Hydralign feathering prop to our C375. So far it has been great.
The supplier came and fitted it to the boat (I did not trust the delivery
dealer to do the job properly - but that is another long story).
I will test the amount of prop walk today.
At the moment, the C36/375 discussion is also on prop walk and docking
issues. Here are some links that have been suggested there.

http://www.boatdocking.com/other/Sternway.html

http://www.seaskills.com/files/SeaSkillsDockingDIYMagazine.pdf

http://www.cruising.sailingcourse.com/docking.htm


Simon Rock
C320 #1163
C375 #41
C375 #54

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of P & B Sheerin
Sent: Saturday, 20 November 2010 7:03 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Kiwi Prop

Colin, We have an Autostream on our 320. We love it. Great propulsion
forward and reverse, little prop walk, little maintenance other than a
yearly grease and coated with Prop Speed. Beautifully built. I wish I could
use it on my Cessna!  Three other Catalina's have them in our marina. Peter
"Jaraman" 1096
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Colin Evans" <twosailors at bigpond.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2010 11:33 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Kiwi Prop


>
> Hi Bruce
>
> We are considering new props at the moment.  I'm interested in your
> comment
> about a top quality folding prop..on our previous boat we had a three
> blade
> folding Volvo prop installed and were really happy with it in forward and
> reverse.  We are torn between this and an Autostream feathering prop, our
> neighbour 320 has one of these and loves it. Why would you prefer a
> folding
> prop over a feathering one?
>
>
> ************************************
> Regards
> Colin Evans
> Hull 774
> C320 Watermark
> Lake Macquarie
> __/)
> ~~~~~
>
>>
>> Rick 724
>>
>
>