In Jere Lull writes:

SV Endeavor wrote:

I am seeking information about 3 blade Flex-O-Fold folding propellers in
sailboat installations. My boat is a Pearson 40, Westebeke 4-107, direct
drive (1:1 reduction in forward) Paragon transmission connected to a 2:1
reduction V-Drive. The reverse gear in the transmission has a 2:1 reduction
which means that the total gear reduction in reverse is 4:1. I am
particularly interested in the props performance in reverse and any problems
with the blades failing to fold/unfold. I am currently have a feathering 2
blade MaxProp that is badly worn and needs replacing. Thanks in advance.


How do you wear a MaxProp? Are the gears no longer engaging or
something? We have a fairly new 3 blade MaxProp and I'd love to know if
there is a natural lifespan to these things.

Most feathering props (or all I know) need to be greased once a while.
If you have the hub full of good marine grease, you do not get too much
water inside and everything keeps in much better condition. Some people
think that becaue they never grease their fixed propellers and because
the propeller is anyway far down and awkward to grease, if you did not
remember it while the boat was up on the shore (some people do not
happent to have any grease just at hand, so you can spoil your propeller
sooner than you think.

- Lauri Tarkkonen