[C320-list] Stock 2 blade propeller

[millers1 at aol.com]

Jeff,  
Good summary.   I have had a Max-Prop on my C&C 36' and now my C320.  Very happy with the performance of both.
 I grease the heck out of the prop immediately upon haul for the Winter (work the blades to get any water out) and
again just before launch.  I know that doesn't make sense... but I always seem to get a bit more water out and it takes
only a couple of minutes to grease.
The question to the group:  Once sailing (engine off) do you shift the transmission into reverse to lock the 
shaft and feather the blades???
Art         Liberty # 680



-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com>
To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Tue, Nov 24, 2015 8:11 am
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Stock 2 blade propeller

Whether it's worth it depends on how you use your boat and where you sail of course.  

Cons of folding prop:
- Extra complexity / maintenance
- If you leave your boat sitting for long periods between sailing, prop growth can be a problem.
- ?

Pros:
- When sailing, very little chance of catching Lobster/Crab/fishing lines.  We have tons of these around our area.
- If you get a line wrapped around the prop while motoring, you have a decent chance at shaking it free under sail without a trip under the boat.  Line wrapped tight and stopped the engine.  In Neutral, turn the prop shaft back/forth every so often from below and gradually under sail, the blades began to fold and the knot floated off the blades.  Not going to happen with a fixed prop.
- Helm feels lighter without prop turbulence over the rudder
- The reduced drag allows sailing in much lighter winds than you could normally.  In flat seas, we have sailed ~3kts in under 7kts of wind.  We'd just be bobbing around at under 2kt with our fixed prop in those conditions.  So the speed you gain is much more pronounced in light wind since everyone can sail fast in 17kts of wind.

We have a 3 blade Gori Folding prop, takes some understanding and awareness to get the best out of it. 

My $.02,

-Jeff Hare
#809  Woodbine II
Newburyport, MA

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jeffrey Brown
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2015 4:45 PM
To: Catalina C320 List List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Stock 2 blade propeller

We bought a Martec brand new, some have bought refurbished from them as well. But if you’re not racing and the little bit of extra speed is irrelevant for you, then there is no point in getting a folding prop. Also, there’s been people that have reported a folding prop can bend the original (bronze I think) shaft if jammed into gear but we’ve not experienced that. Maybe it has extra weight, can’t remember the reason. Several people have replaced the shaft with stainless, but again we didn’t and no issues. 

Jeff Brown
"Out of the blue" Dana Point, CA
Catalina 320, Hull 78
(949) 350-5123
oceanblues at mac.com





> On Nov 23, 2015, at 1:40 PM, Elizabeth Schwartz <schwartz781 at optonline.net> wrote:
> 
> Ahoy...thanks....which prop did you go with? We don't race....most of our sailing consists of raising the sails, then breaking out the wine and snacks.....on the more rare times of cruising it would be nice to gain that extra speed though....Thanks...Joe n Beth
> 
> 
> On Mon, Nov 23, 2015 at 04:31 PM, Jeffrey Brown wrote:
> 
>> We replaced our original two-blade with a two-blade folding prop, specifically for racing. We estimate we picked up an extra 1/2 to 3/4 knot of speed, which is typical. When you’re racing, this is usually the difference between 1st and 5th…and we have the trophies to prove it. :)
>> 
>> Jeff Brown
>> "Out of the blue" Dana Point, CA
>> Catalina 320, Hull 78
>> (949) 350-5123
>> oceanblues at mac.com
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Nov 23, 2015, at 1:27 PM, Elizabeth Schwartz  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Ahoy.....I've had my 96 for two years now..came with original two blade prop on it....I thought it would be one of my first projects to replace it....looked at alternatives, couldn't figure which one to go with....and the performance of the two blade is fine for me....Joe n Beth
>>> 
>>> On Sun, Nov 22, 2015 at 05:35 PM, Mtpoodles wrote:
>>> 
>>>> We have used the stock three-blade prop for 10 years and are very satisfied with it.
>>>> 
>>>> Diane
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>> 
>>>>> On Nov 22, 2015, at 5:25 PM,   wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hello,
>>>>> Is anyone still using the original 2 bladed (15" x 10 pitch) or 3 bladed (15" x 9 pitch) fixed propellers? I have a Max-Prop auto feathering on my 320 now but I do not like the way it performs. I thought I would put my stock fix prop on for next season.
>>>>> thanks,
>>>>> Dan
>>>>> 1994 #0064
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>> 
>>