Hello all.
I recently bought a new Beta Marine 35 saildrive engine.
i am now in need of a new propeller.
I have a 43ft 'Gitana 43 ' sailboat.
There seem as many propellers as there are opinions on propellers.
However I am seeking your opinions now!
questions, 2 or 3 blade
fixed or folding (almost certainly folding)
supplier?
Type/pitch?
Thoughts on how to come up with the answers to the above questions also very welcome!
Many thanks in advance to you all.
Fair winds.
James
edited by 0 on 26/05/2017

Hi Daria and all,
I find your report somewhat curious. I am on my 4th Max-prop over 2 boats and a number of decades and I have found usable prop walk on all of them. I do admit, that it has been too long to remember whether my fixed prop had more prop walk, but I am clear that I have enough for reasonable maneuvering in marinas (without a bow thruster).
I will attest that the vastly increased power in reverse over fixed props (the blades feather so thrust in reverse equals thrust in forward) is a terrific benefit in maneuvering in tight spaces.
It may be that one needs to be more aggressive with the throttle (from a stand-still position or when going from reverse to forward or vice versa) to maximize prop walk in tight places.
Our latest MaxProp is a four bladed one of a larger diameter and quite a bit more blade acreage, bought so we have more thrust in adverse conditions. This is our third season with this prop and we are very happy.
BTW, the go-to book on props is, appropriately, called the Propeller Handbook (or something like that) by Dave Gerr. It is superb, and maybe a bit technical.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy