Flex-o-fold v. MaxProp?

[danielgoldberg]

I had ordered a MaxProp for our new boat. The dealer now is asking why I want to change from the 3-blade Flex-o-Fold to the MaxProp. I've checked with my usual yard who believes the Flex-o-Fold should be fine and they would not recommend spending the money on the MaxProp.

Thoughts from you esteemed experts?

My main reason for wanting the MaxProp was for performance under power, obviously, and particularly in reverse. The difference in drag between the folding and feathering prop is not meaningful to us, but the difference in performance under power would be, if there is a material difference. That said, the MaxProp is $4600, so if the two props will give comparable performance, I can think of other things I'd rather do with the money.

[sailingfool]

Our Max-Prop has worked perfectly for us for the past eight years, and is excellent in reverse. I lack any experience with the Flex-o-Fold but i will comment that the MaxProp seems the prop of choice on the more expensive boats. People could just be buying the name, or maybe its actually worth the extra cost...

[danielgoldberg]

I've had the Max Prop too, and have had no complaints. That said, I'm thinking of trying something new, if for no other reason than to save $4600. I figure that a few months with the Flex-o-Fold won't kill me, and if I don't like it I can add the Max Prop over the winter. We'll see what happens.