folding prop issues

[cnc33voodoo]

i have an older folding prop (20 year old prop-two blade with no gears)on my boat which is really getting on my nerves.
i constantly have issues getting it to open (have to kick it in reverse than forward with another kick of throttle) and if it doesnt open it feels like someone is taking a hammer to the hull of my boat.the p/o painted the prop when he did the bottom kote and i believe this may have something to do with it.i tried cleaning it but didnt take it apart to clean between where the blades pivot.i did notice the prop felt a little loose but the p/o assured me it worked fine so i launched the boat as it was.this isnt the first thing the p/o said that is b.s.
also i notice it is causing a constant vibration when under power.
im wondering what kind of prop works well with an atomic 4 and how hard it would be to change it under water with diving gear?
i have a brand new standard 2 blade prop but it was given to me and i dont know if its the right one.
my marina wants $650 to lift out the boat ($325 out,$325 in) and i think thats robbery.

[drynoc]

I wouldn't try replacing the prop in the water - drop one of those pieces and you are dead. And yes, your marina is holding you up: I was at a marina on the Chesapeake that charged $95 round trip (out and back in) and that included a power washing.

[Rockter]

Damn folding props.
Never liked them.
That is an utter rip-off for a lift-out, and back in.

[agoodman]

If it is a martec prop you can send it back to them and they will recondition it for you. I just purchased a Gori 2 blade geared prop for my atomic 4 and so far it works great. Pretty risky to change the prop under water.

[sailingfool]

Folding props can wear and bottom paint is not good for them. At the end of the season, I'd send the prop back to Martec Sailboat Propellers . Folding props are pretty cheap ( in boat dollars that is), buy a new one if necessary. It would be a major sin to put a fixed prop (if that is what you mean by "standard") on a C&C 33, you would be banished forever from the C&C owners group, deservedly so. If you want a real sweet new prop look at a Max-Prop Automatic Self-Feathering Sailing Propellers but given your agony over the costs of hauling your boat (if you think the marina is too expansive, try lifting it out yourself...get used to $$$$ everytime you turn around...) I don't think you are ready for spending real boat dollars...yet.

[JimsCAL]

Since its not geared, it is probably a Martec. The recommendation to get it reconditioned this fall is a good one. Check the Martec site for info and costs. Until then I would live with it. My Martec (25 years old) usually needs a little kick in reverse to get it open.

[jbondy]

I'd like to reinforce what SF said: you do not want to go to a fixed prop. We put the Martec feathering prop on 2 years ago. It made a HUGE difference in our light air performance. We get a lot of light weather days in the LIS and with our old 3-blade fixed prop, we wouldn't bother to pull up the canvas in 8 kts or less. Now our threshhold is more like 5 kts. That means much more sailing, which is the point.

Regarding the cost of hauling out, find another yard to do this for you. Just because you get to spend hard earned $$$s every time you turn around, doesn't mean you have to allow yourself to be ripped off.

[Rockter]

On a performance boat, where the prop has no keel to hide behind, certainly go for a folding prop.
On a long-keeler like mine, turn the fixed two blade prop to align with the keel, and you will be ok.
No-doubt you've got an exposed prop?

[cnc33voodoo]

well,i thought my marina was hosing me and i was right.
i called 5 surrounding marinas and the highest i was quoted was $300 taxes in.i then called my marina and told them i had three written estimates for half the price and they said they must have made a mistake when quoting me.see, im sure thats b.s because i spoke to the manager when i was quoted and i was pretty clear that i thought that was a rip off.
he said they need to charge me one travel lift fee to take it out and one to drop it back in. even if it just sits in the slings.
whatever, his loss.
actually i just want a prop that wont give me any issues.
im not racing the boat, cruising only.my wife has little to no experience and when this prop starts to buck she freaks out and it ruins her time because she becomes paraniod the rest of the day.
this one i have now also makes my stern sink in way too much when under power, to the point where my exhaust is at the water line.
i know there is a few options and im open to a bullet proof folding prop if one exists.
what im looking for is:
1)eliminate the vibrations under power
2)if folding-opens easily every time
3)doesnt cause the stern to sink in as much.
4)better speed/rpm ratio

[Faster]

If you're not racing, then check into the Campbell Sailor prop... available here:
West by North Enterprises

these are fixed props, but the 3 blade has smaller cross sectional drag area than a standard 2 blade michigan wheel, and is much smoother. Not as slick as folders or featherers, but better than your standard fixed prop.

We replaced a worn out martec with a 3 blade Campbell and other than a slight increase in drag (noticable in light air) loved the smoothness, security, reverse performance, and price!

In feathering props, the Kiwi prop is getting good reviews at nearly 1/3 the price of Maxprops