Variprop vs maxprop

[Gordon Stein]

Greetings!
I have a smooth running A4 on my C&C 34 and am looking at moving from a fixed to a feathering propellor to improve both reverse performance and sailing speed.

My friends are divided into either the Variprop or the Maxprop camp. Anyone have any definitive advice one way or the other?

Also, any one have any factual information on what type of speed increase one would see when sailing at, say 5 knots?

Many thanks

Gordon Stein C&C 34 Tall Blonde

[Bill Bickley]

Gordon:

This is not one you asked about, but you might want to look at the Autoprop, if only to rule it out and forget about it. This prop costs a king's ransom, but it is a superior performer. On our boat (not equipped with an A4, in the interests of full disclosure :) ), it added a half knot to our boat speed at our cruising RPM, is ideal when motor sailing, and backs straight, even though we have an offset prop.

Interestingly, the tendency to back straight took some getting used to, as we had learned to accommodate the crabbing to port when using the original Michigan wheel.

Don tells me that the Autoprop is only available for reduction and v-drive installations when matched to an A4.

Hope this helps.

Bill

[littlemac]

Went through same process last winter, but came up with another choice--the Kiwi prop, a three-blade New Zealand-made feathering prop for my C&C 34 with an Atomic Stevadore (the 25 hp model). Got 12-day delivery, and in Canada, price came in at just under half of Maxprop quote. Gives me good stopping power --one boatlength at 2.5 kts--and get 6 kt cruising speed with about a 10 per cent lower engine rpm, working out to about 11 miles to U.S. gallon in fresh water with waves under six feet.

[Mark Tilley]

littlemac,

What dimensions did you get in your Kiwi Prop?