Kerry,

I believe that a 2005 Catalina has a M35B engine giving 35 hp. This is what flexofold quoted me:

"With a Universal M35B (35 HP by 3000 RPM, reduction 1:1,79) we would recommend a 2-blade 15x10R or a 3-blade 15x9-3R propeller for your Catalina 36 Mark 2."

I ended up getting a Gori and they recommended 15x10x3R, for what it's worth. This propellor and pitch moves the boat along well and still reaches the maximum 3000 rpm.

Kerry, have a look to the Variprofile of the German manufacture Spw. They are really great!
I have one on my c-36 hull 1122, with a universal M-35
The advantage of the variprofile is that you can easily change the pitch independent forward from reverse.

Previously I had a folder propeller and there is not real difference in drag between folder and feathering propellers, at least those manufactured by Spw.
Excellent value for money.

[url]http://www.spw-gmbh.de/en/[/url]

Hope it helps.

Regards, from the Mediterranean.

Eladio,

Eureka II
Hull 1122

It is a 3 blades. Originally 15*9. I have ended with 15*10,5 forward and 15*9 reverse.

Is it obvious the feathering propellers, in order to have little drag under sail, at least Spw, have quote strait forward blades. So sometimes when pushing needs some time to react.

If you prefer a folding, have a look to their varifold folding propellers. Again, it is my very personal opinion, because c-36 hull form, the folding propellers, whatever is the manufacture, will have some troubles and time to stop the boat...

That was the main reason I moved from a folding to a feathering propellor. Regarding gori...Well, I am not fan of.

Best regards,

Eladio

I've had a Flex O Fold 2 blade folder for 8 years. I'm very happy with it. I've never had any trouble stopping the boat with it.

I have a Flex-o-Fold 15/9 3 blade. I'm getting between 2800 2900 rpm at wot. That seems a little low on the rpm. I hope that isn't a problem down the road. No signs of distress at this point.
:cool:

Have you checked your tac?

[QUOTE=William Miller;21436]Have you checked your tac?[/QUOTE]

I have not done that and I'm not sure how to do that on a diesel.

You use an optical tach on the engine pulleys. You stick a reflective piece of tape on a pulley and shoot the optical tach at it, you'll get accurate RPM's. I think the Association has one in the tool kit for Members to borrow but they are really cheap to buy nowadays and very handy to have around.

[QUOTE=bstreet;21442]You use an optical tach on the engine pulleys. You stick a reflective piece of tape on a pulley and shoot the optical tach at it, you'll get accurate RPM's. I think the Association has one in the tool kit for Members to borrow but they are really cheap to buy nowadays and very handy to have around.[/QUOTE]

I just bought one on Amazon for 15 bucks. Thanks for the tip.:)

Just make sure the reflective tape goes on the crank pulley and not on the alternator or water pump pulley.

[QUOTE=mutualfun;21454]Just make sure the reflective tape goes on the crank pulley and not on the alternator or water pump pulley.[/QUOTE]

Copy that,

Should have the new tachometer in hand tomorrow. I will check it out and see what's up.

Thanks for the feedback guys, I learn something here everyday.

Have you considered a KIWI prop? Feathering composite from New Zealand, easy to install. tom francis, 1985 MK1

I just ordered a 3 blade Max-Prop Easy for Scarlett, my '93 Catalina 36. It will be a 15 x 9. It will replace the two blade fixed propeller that came with the boat I purchased in 2012. I had a terrible time backing into my slip (Starboard side to dock) with any kind of a breeze and trying to counter the prop walk. I expect the Max-Prop will alleviate the lack of reverse thrust and some of the prop walk. This is especially important because of our less nimble age and, with only my spousal unit crew assistance, I am basically single handed. I desire extra control. Although the $3300 plus tax is a steep price to pay, I refuse to compromise speed under sail. Installation will be delayed until haul out in May or June, so I won't have performance results to report until after then. Here's hoping it meets my expectations!

Alex Bromen
SV Scarlett
Olympia, WA

Hey Kerry,

I ordered a KIWI prop last year and have been very satisfied. Three blade folding composite prop, that I learned about from this C36 owners site. Speed has increased and prop walk is minimal. Cost was $1500 delivered from New Zealand.  www.kiwiprops.com
 Bruce Poorman
Bobcat #954

Kerry double check what engine you have prior to ordering, I think there might be a big difference? There should a ID tag on the engine. Mine was on the Heat exchanger.

I have a 3 blade Geared folding prop (Slip stream) put on by PO. Works great in fwd and not bad in reverse. Folds well.  Stock prop was 15x10. I have the M35AC.
I had a Max Prop on my Cal, well worth the bucks!! The one thing about the Max prop was that I had to cut the prop shaft. I couldn't put anything but a Max prop after that. There was no way to install a cotter key. Max prop uses a different way of securing  the nut.
 

Call me a contrarian. 

In my airplane days I flew many different airplanes, some with two- and some with three-bladed props. Invariably the two-blade props were faster than their three-blade counterparts. This is a well-recognized fact in aviation circles. In my mind, that means that the (MY TERM) thrust/drag efficiency factor significantly favored the two-blade. Phrased another way, what you get from a three-blade in "bite" does not net out positive versus what you get in drag. I have continued to believe that a two-blade prop in the marine world must be subject to similar factors, so I have only a two-blade on S/V High Flight, and have no intention to change.

On the other hand, I have crewed/skippered other people's boats with three-blade folding props, a Hunter 43 with a MaxProp comes to mind particularly. Whether it had more "bite" or not I couldn't say, or whether it had more or less prop walk than the same vessel with a two-blade, I can't say (prop walk being the result not just of the prop but the geometry of the hull); but what I found damn frustrating was a lag in the blades getting into position while close quarter maneuvering, where quick forward aft power control is essential. On my simple fixed two-blade, thrust is instant when maneuvering. On the folding prop the added time lag when thrust is needed in an adverse current or wind situation might be just enough of a delay to make a boat handler look like a fool instead of a genius.
 

hi Larry

I have also heard about the delay on reaction if the folding props, but a feathering one should be better on that respect. My neighbour has a 3 blade Kiwi for over 3 years and loving it. I have maneuver his boat a bunch of times and no noticeable delay.

Regards
Andres

For what it's worth.....................
I have just replaced the original 3-blade fixed 15x9 prop because it was giving me a lot of grief with dramatic prop walk to port (and my berth is a starboard tie-up).
My new prop is a Varifold 3-blade 17" x 11" folding prop (given all the parameters this is what the Varifold guys recommended).
I can highly recommend this prop:

• Max rpm = 3000+
• Almost no prop walk (my wife actually participates in berthing now rather than hiding below!)
• She happily cruises at 6 - 6.5 kts @ around 1800 - 2000 rpm (lucky to get 6 at 2400 before)
• Acceleration with plenty of throttle from idle almost lifts the bow out of the water! (only kidding but it is very noticeable)
• Ample bite in reverse with no delay at all - plenty of stopping power.

It's a beauty!!

I've a 1984 Mk 1 with a universal 25. Hull # 210. Any recommendations on a folding / feathering prop from anyone who's been there, done that with an older gal like mine?