[C320-list] Props....

[Brad Kuether]

How funny.  Warren, Patty and I were discussing props this weekend.

I put the Flex O Fold on my 2004 and will NEVER look back.  The prop makes 
the sailing experience so smooth, and the light wind performance on the boat 
has been AMAZING.  I specifically took the 2004 model over the 2002, because 
of the SS shaft.

I was told the bronze shafts were "no good" for folding or feathering props, 
not sure if weight is the factor, but suspect it plays.

I have had a half season so far and here is what I know:

Forward - Much better performance than the stock 3 blade fixed.  Same speed, 
less RPM as advertised.

Reverse - Slightly better than the the 3 blade fixed.

What I like best - The ride is smooth.  There is talk that at a certain 
windspeed it doesn't matter which prop you have.  I disagree with that 
statement, and invite all those who want to be "enlightented" to come for a 
test sail.

What I don't like - Going backwards, you really don't want to go from 
reverse to forward.  The whole thing is very un-natural and you know it must 
be taking a toll on "something".  I avoid it as best I can.

The boat show price for the prop was $1800, thats $300 more than the 
feathering Kiwi prop.  And no, I don't have a bias against plastic blades, 
my CDI had them and I loved that prop....

-Brad, Mary, Monica, and Jarod
"Independence"
2004 Catalina 320 Hull 1006
Middle River, MD

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <LOCALJG at aol.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2011 10:51 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Martec prop


> Good info on the Martec Steve.  Thanks.  A Martec three bladed  prop came
> with my 320 but during the initial pre-purchase haul out and  inspection, 
> the
> inspector found the propeller shaft was not true and the cutlass  bearing
> needed replacing.  I replaced the Martec with the stock three  bladed 
> fixed
> prop that originally came with the boat from the  factory.  I haven't as 
> yet
> placed the Martec back on the boat.  Before  I do I wanted to find out if 
> I
> needed to get a stainless steel shaft?
>
> All the things you said about the prop appear to be true.  It is
> definitely one heavy piece of gear.  I am still debating whether to place 
> the Martec
> back on my 320?
>
> Perhaps a folding 3 bladed prop would be better?
>
> John
> Dreamtime #329
>
>
> In a message dated 8/21/2011 4:22:28 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
> stord at cox.net writes:
>
> Denny,
> Sorry to take so long to reply.
>
> When we bought our  2000 320 it had a two blade fixed prop.  While forward
> performance was  okay, performance in reverse lacked significantly.  We 
> were
> also  interested in racing our boat.   With those two factors in mind,  we
> bought a used Martec Autostream 3 blade feathering prop at a  slight
> discount.  We've enjoyed it. IMO, it had much better  performance in 
> reverse
> with less prop walk.  We also reduced drag  which helped when racing. 
> The
> downside is that it's a heavy  piece of metal on the end of your prop 
> shaft.
> We've replaced the cutlass  bearing once so far.  Was that a result of the
> Martec?  I don't  know, but it is heavy.  If your shaft isn't perfectly
> aligned, you  will feel it. We've also replaced our OEM shaft with a
> stainless one.   It's  just stronger given the weight of the prop.
> Maintenance for our  prop has been easy.  The zinc is easy to change and
> I've
> done it in  the water.  Lubrication is also easy with a simple fitting 
> that
> a
> grease gun can engage to lubricate all of the internal gears.  The  only
> issue is how long the O-rings at the props will last in salt  water. 
> We've
> had these ones on for approximately five years and will  be looking at 
> them
> very hard next spring when we haul the boat.   Changing the O-rings isn't
> difficult, just messy given that you've got to  disassemble the back of 
> the
> prop to do it which releases all of the  internal grease.
>
> While we like our Martec prop, I've often wondered if  we might have been
> better off with a 3 blade folding prop versus the 3  blade feathering prop
> given the difference in weight and internal  gearing.
>
> Steve
> s/v Joy  756
>
>
>
> -----Original  Message-----
> From:  c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com]  On Behalf Of Denny 
> Browne
> Sent: Friday, August 05, 2011 12:36 AM
> To:  C320 List
> Subject: [C320-list] Martec prop
>
> Can't afford an Autoprop  but hate my 3 blade fixed. Except pulling into 
> the
> slip too fast, then I  like it a lot.
>
> But have any of you switched to the Martec? Comments?  Sorry for the old
> topic.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Denny Browne
> A Cappella  #935
> Redondo Beach
>
> Sent from handheld, sorry for typos, grammar,  etc...
>
>
>
>