Since one blade of my prop just snapped off yesterday I'm in the market for a new one. I haven't bought a prop for 30+ years I'd be interested to know what the current thinking is about prop replacements.
I've been happy with my 3 blade FlexoFold. Picked up speed both under sail and power. Installed it a number of years ago.
Ed,
Thanks for the response, what were you using before the FlexoFold?
QuoteI'd be interested to know what the current thinking is about prop replacements
Kevin,
It depends on what's most important to you and your usage. Price? Low drag? High thrust? Maneuvering? My Maxiprop has given me 25 years without a problem. But, I hear that they have gotten very pricey.
Jim
I am quite happy with my 3-blade Flex-O-Fold 15x10. It is also quite pricey. If you still have a bronze prop shaft I would recommend you change it to S.S. if you end up going with one of the heavier, large hub, folding props such as mine.
I also had a 3-blade Flex-O-Fold which replaced a 3 blade fixed. Definitely a big improvement. Noticeable improvement in speed; I went from lower half of the pack in the local race series to consistently winning. And that was after giving up a chunk of my handicap because of it. I was initially worried about how it would do in reverse. Turned out to have plenty of reverse thrust and it actually backed straighter than the fixed.
Thanks Guys,
As I expected lots of good suggestions. Right now I'm thinking about a 3 blade fixed prop like the one CD sells. While the 3 blade folding prop is clearly superior I think the fixed will meet my requirements for the way I sail nowadays as my racing days are behind me and getting there as fast as possible isn't as important as it used to be.
Kevin : Now that I'm 92 (next month) its surprising how age changes your priorities!!
A thought
Kevin, I had the 3 blade Michigan
Regards,
Ed
I should also note it's more forgiving when a lobster buoy line is accidentally run into!
Ron,
I know just how you feel I'm 26 but I'm trapped in this old guy's body!
Ed,
It's probably a lot more forgiving than the lobster trap guys! If you could how about a review of your three blade. How do you like it? How does it compare to what you replaced it with? Any or thoughts you might have?
FYI, I just dug out my original Sailor prop and I may just install that until I figure out the best option for me.
I mentioned this in reply to your other post, but I have a Campbell Sailor. I rather like it. The guy that sells them has a somewhat standard spec for the C34 which I modified in an attempt to get max rpms at full throttle. I don't recommend chamging the spec's as I don't have much reserve thrust if needed above 2400. The CS has a smaller blade profile than the Michighan sailor to reduce drag while under canvas. At least give it a look see.
https://westbynorth.com/campbell-sailer/
Alex—just curious. What is the difference between the prop CD now sells and the Campbell prop? The CD prop doesn't look like my old Michigan Wheel Sailer prop either—-which I keep as a back-up/spare.
Kevin : What kind of prop lost a blade??
A thought
Alex,
The prop that came from the factory on my boat is a CS two blade 15" by 10 and is probably going back on in the interim. Is your CS two or three blade?
Ron,
It's a plastic or plastic composite with a high tech (for the time) blade shape, curved leading edge and a straight trailing edge. I don't remember who the maker was I've been going through my old paperwork looking for an info sheet or receipt, to tell the truth I'd consider buying another one, just before the blade snapped off I was making 6.8 knots.
Kevin- If by "CS" you mean Campbell Sailor, I doubt that is what Catalina equipped your boat with OEM. I think they used Michigan Wheel props.
My mistake, it's stamped "Sailer Michigan".
Quote from: Noah on August 21, 2025, 12:04:11 PMAlex—just curious. What is the difference between the prop CD now sells and the Campbell prop? The CD prop doesn't look like my old Michigan Wheel Sailer prop either—-which I keep as a back-up/spare.
Noah,
The CS has a unique blade sesign that provides similar thrust in a significantly smaller blade profile than the michighan wheel. The Mich Sailor is likely a bit closer to the CS, but the CS still presents less surface area. Here's a link to a comparison of the two.
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/threads/prop-review-campbell-sailor.112587/
Just an FYI Guys,
Found the paperwork for the prop it was made by a company called PerfectPitch and sold through CDI. As I suspected it's no longer available. I purchased mine in 2001 and I think they went out of business a few years later which is unfortunate since it got a lot of positive reviews. Interestingly it's blade shape is similar to that of the CS blade in the picture Alex posted.
Kevein,
There is a prop called a Kiwi Prop that sounds similar to what you said you had. The same company that sells the Campbell Sailor reps them. Might be worth a look see.
https://westbynorth.com/kiwi/
I think Kiwi Prop only makes "folders" not "fixed-blade" props. Unless you have a saildrive.
Noah,
I looked again at West by North's page for the Kiwi and they list shaft drive options for 1" 1-1/8" and 1-1/4" and specifically talk about the shaft angle. That said, when I went to the Kiwi Props of North America page, they prominantly feature a sail drive leg. I am not sure how to be sure one way or the other.
EDIT: I clicked the link on West by North's page for Kiwi props and they do show that they are saildrive OR shaft mountable.
https://www.kiwiprops.co.nz/cms/index.php
Kevin,
Sorry for not responding sooner. But really not much more to add to what I already noted. I don't race, but like to sail efficiently and the FlexoFold gave me almost a knot under sail and half a knot under power. And reduces the snag potential under sail if you have the tranny locked in reverse. I used to worry about the blades not opening fully due to barnacles or soft growth, but an occasional "over the side" scrub down keeps it clean. (Yes, I do use an anti fouling paint on it). For spring commissioning, after flushing it out, I give the gears a squirt of lithium grease and work the blades until they fold up by themselves.
Hope that helps.
Regards,
Ed
It does, thanks Ed.
Alex, thanks for the info on the Kiwi prop, looks really cool but I think it's a bit more exotic than what I need.