Gori Folding Propellor

[Zanshin]

I made the mistake of going to a boat show today (my first, the Sydney Boat Show) and talking at length with a getntleman who was demonstrating a very nifty 3-blade folding prop. I am sorely tempted to replace my fixed blade prop with this toy and was wondering if anyone here has any experience or comments on these

[sailhog]

Zanshin,
You need to listen to me. Are you listening? Okay. Do not change anything in your life. Don't even go from a three-bladed prop to a folding three-bladed prop. I've seen your picture gallery, and you've got it made. One little change, and you might screw it all up. Keep up the good work.

So what does a folding prop give you? Half a knot? What happens when the barnacles and scallops go to work on the moving parts? All kidding aside, I really am curious.

[Zanshin]

Lol - hopefully I'll be able to add pictures from another visit (or is it visitation?) in a while and I have kept the juiciest pictures all to my lonesome. Life certainly can be fun!

I'll be off on longer sails after this year's hurricane season and on the big Pacific passages from Panama to Galapagos and points beyond that 1/2 knot can add up to big savings in time. The gearing on the prop looked substantial enough to aid in removing any buildup but I've no experience with folding props so am looking for advice from those who do.

[Tartan34C]

Any build up that is enough to keep the propeller from feathering would also keep the fixed blade propeller from working properly because it would have lost its shape under the covering of barnacles. If you can afford a good feathering propeller you will enjoy better performance and it is worth it. That’s my story and I am sticking to it.
All the best,
Robert Gainer

PS. Carry diving gear and clean the propeller and bottom as needed.

[Boasun]

Well someone needs to take the first step and find out how they really work and improve the preformance of the boat

[sailingdog]

Zanshin-

Was it the Kiwi feathering prop you saw. I've seen and heard a lot of good about them.

[Giulietta]

Zan, I HIGHLY recomend the Gori. I have had many props (some even the ones my US friends love) and only buy Gori. In fact bought mine thru the US dealer in New England, he shiped it to me in 3 days, from Europe, and gave me a better deal than if I bought in Europe.

Their after sales service is superb, last time I had a problem with my locking nut, they sent me one same day delivery, FOR FREE!! And a whole bunch of other things..then sent me 3 or 4 emails to check how was everything.

I only ise folding, I don't like feathering props, I stay away from them. For saling performance I prefer the 2 blade folding. Stay away from the PURE racing ones, where the blades actually touch each other when closed. Obvious reasons if the boat is stopped many months.

Here is mine. With it, I do 9.5 knots boat speed at full load. In reverse I see no difference.

[Jeff_H]

I lived with a series of Gori Props for nearly 14 years on a my last boat. Unlike Alex's experience with Gori, my experience with them was terrible. Their hub to shaft connection failed regularly, they told me that it was only expected to last for what I consider to be a very short time for a high priced product. Their attitude towards servicing their product and honorig their warantee was miserable. They require such items as requiring the owner to ship waranteed propellors to the factory at the owner's expense (which to and from North America, round trip came to nearly a 1/3 of the price of a new propellor) If you have any other choice except Autoprop, I would consider them instead.

Jeff