[C320-list] Light wind performance

[Jon Vez]

Same experience with my Autoprop. I plan on putting one on the new boat....

Regards,

Jon Vez

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Mike Ott
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 9:20 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Light wind performance

When we bought Amanda Lu, 3 years ago, she came with an AutoProp.  I had 
never owned a feathering prop before, and the previous owner sweared by the 
handling, especially in tight marina slips and fairways.  My surveyor had
heard 
good reports but no actual experience.
After 3 seasons, I'm a firm believer.  The sailing drag is none existent and
she 
handles like a power boat when motoring in forward and reverse.  No more 
controlled-crash-docking.
Mike
"Amanda Lu"
#508




________________________________
From: Brad Kuether <bkuether at comcast.net>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Sent: Fri, June 24, 2011 8:17:48 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Light wind performance

I looked at the Kiwi and gave it a tremendous amount of thought.

In the end, the Flex O Fold had much better performance in forward (actually
the 
best out of all folders...) , and pretty much the same performance in
reverse as 
the 3 blade, and was only $300 more.

I had NO issues with the blades being composite as my prior boat had a CDI 3

blade composite, and I LOVED it.

CDI stopped making feathering props, and changed owners and has started back
in 
that business.  However they didn't have a 3 blade yet, AND they clearly
said 
the prop "changed".  This apparently was to save on cost, which ultimately
drove 
me back to the FOF.

NOW:

With that being said, I will say that the feathering has one advantage that
I 
didn't consider.  When backing, if you have to give a little forward to stay
off 
the pier, (ours are CEMENT), the FOF isn't particularly happy and engages
with a 
less than desireable "thud".  I don't know why but I suspect it is turning
the 
other way during the backing.  (Yikes!)

This I knew about, but didn't consider until I had to use it that way.

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



----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Stanley"
<brucestanley36 at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 4:49 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Light wind performance


> Brad and Jeff
> it is magic to enjoy the subtle thrill of passing another same-size (or
> bigger .. a la Hunter 33 etc)
> 
> .... Downunder the popular prop seems to be the Kiwi Feathering Prop. 3
> Bladed and available to the USA market at less than we in the antipodes
have
> to pay ;o((
> 
> Point really being is that a feathering / folding prop is the answer to
> sailing faster (but don't tell the Hunter guys).
> 
> Bruce S/Sydney
> ================================
> On Mon, Jun 20, 2011 at 10:56 PM, Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
> 
>> We noticed a slightly smoother lighter helm under sail also. The 3-blade
>> prop causes some rudder turbulence that we could feel but folding blades
>> don't.
>> 
>> And we also sail along making progress when the sails used to just slat
>> before. My wife was especially happy b/c she hates the engine.
>> 
>> -jeff
>> 
>> Brad Kuether <bkuether at comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> I had the opportunity to really try out the new Flex O Fold prop today.
>> Forecast was 5 to 10 and spent most of the time down around 5.
>> 
>> Not what I was looking for but on Fathers day, but hey, if there is any
>> wind you take it!!!!
>> 
>> All through the day the boat kept moving. Sometimes it was painfully
slow,
>> but MOVING. I have had instances in the past two years where around 3 or
4
>> kts, the boat just STOPS. Didn't happen today.
>> 
>> The best moment was when a Hunter 335 going the same direction back to
the
>> river did exactly that. Stopped.
>> 
>> With the folding prop this boat has acceptable light wind performance.
>> 
>> If anyone is interested in doing a 320/folding prop "try before you buy"
>> let me know. My family doesn't quite appreciate the same way I do... :)
>> 
>> -Brad, Mary, Monica, and Jarod
>> "Independence"
>> 2004 Catalina 320 Hull 1006
>> Middle River, MD
>> 
>> 
>