Hi Everyone, been following the folding prop thread with interest. I had a Michegan Sailor 16 x 10 R fixed prop for 10 years. It was fine for all purposes except sailing where it was like towing a drogue. I changed this year to a FlexoFold 16 x 11 and my observations are these:
1. FlexoFold has a bit more vibration across the rpm spectrum but not much and I can live with that if it gets the job done. Install was a breeze which means I didn't have to hire anyone. 2. with the Michegan sailor at 2200 - 2400 rpm I would cruise in relatively flat water at 5-5.2 knots. With the FlexoFold I now cruise (same RPM) at 6 - 6.3 knots. I haven't tried for maximum RPM 3. reverse seems fine though not heavily tested in wind etc. 4. sailing, particularly in light winds feels like a different boat with the FlexoFold (in a positive way!) My question is what is the resultant engine change with this different prop? Knowing that Yanmar diesels like to be worked hard, is this FlexoFold prop with faster boat speed but same RPM making my engine work harder or not? Do I have to drive the rpm higher? Should I care about any of this? many thanks, Wade ps. incidentally, I took off, cleaned, tef gelled and reconnected every wire I could find on the boat and my electrical system is dreamy again ......................... thanks to all :-) On Thu, Sep 19, 2019 at 11:46 AM Francois Rivard via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > A couple more points. > > First I want to mention that what ultimately helped me get through > the ordeal was Chuck Scheafer and this list. > > I knew from having actually motored on Chuck's boat and that the Max Prop > would work well. I went for the Flex O fold mostly because it was over > $1,000 cheaper and appeared to have less drag. > > Chuck also put me in touch with another 34+ owner who's got a Flex-O-Fold > installed. I called him / he has the same 16 X 12 Flex o Fold I was sent > and he also thought it was over-pitched. He can't get more than 2900-3000 > RPM either. He also told me he's replaced his engine mounts and has to > replace his cutlass bearing every other year. After that conversation I > knew I had to get a different prop. > > As for the comment about 2,850 RPM being an ideal RPM for the 3GM 30F > that's true. It's the ideal cruising RPM. as stated by Yanmar in the > manual > > However, according to Yanmar's dyno testing graph the engine makes 16 HP > on the "Propeller Power Curve" at 2850 RPM. The engine needs 3,400 RPM to > make it's max rating of 24 HP "Propeller Power". If it's struggling to get > to 3000 in good weather, you might get to 2,700 - 2,800 in a stiff headwind > and waves. Personally, I would not want to be in a storm with an engine > struggling to make 16 HP "Propeller power" pushing a 13,000 lbs 36 ft boat > through rough waters... > > - Francois > 1990 34+ "Take Five" > Lake Lanier, GA > _______________________________________________ > > Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each > and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - > use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > >
_______________________________________________ Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
