Hello Jere,
Nothing lasts forever. Our MaxProp is about 23 years old and has been
rebuilt once during its lifetime. Regardless of lubrication, maintenance,
and careful use, the gears wear and precision tolerances will get sloppy
over time. Our two blade prop has about 1/8+ inch play in the centerline
axis and about the same play, actually a bit more, in the perpendicular
(blade axis). It has been a great prop but it sometimes fails to engage in
reverse and the wear concerns me about vibration that can transmit wear to
the cutlass bearing and the vee-drive/transmission. Since it is time to
replace the MaxProp, I thought I would go for a folding Vs. feathering prop.
"Jere Lull" wrote in message
...
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.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/