3 Blades Shaft Folding propeller

Low drag under sail and maximum thrust under power

The 3 blades Flexofold folding propeller provides trouble-free handling by superior power in both forward and reverse.
When folded under sail, the low propeller drag makes your boat sail faster and in lighter wind – even with a minimum risk of catching lines or seaweed.

Original propeller for Beneteau, Dehler, Hanse Yachts, Jeanneau, Sunreef Catamarans and more!​

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Description

Special features

  • Helical gearing between the blades ensures a synchronized folding mechanism.
  • Protective cover over the gearing.
  • Easy replaceable anode
  • Large shock absorbers for a quiet opening of the propeller.
  • Mounting screws are pre-applied with Loctite for mounting above as well as underwater.
  • Water lubricated – no need for maintenance.

Propeller sizes

The 3-blade propellers for shaft installation is available in diameters of 14″ to 24″ – all in a wide range of pitches.

To be supplied for both LEFT and RIGHT turning shafts.

Compatible with…

The Flexofold propellers have a 100% fit on all common shaft diameters with ISO, SAE or IMP cones

  • ISO (European standard) = 1:10 cone
  • SAE (US standard) = 1:16 cone
  • IMP (British standard) = 1:12 cone

Special tailor made hubs to be manufactured on request.

Tech.

Operating Instructions

  • When handling the assembled propeller, avoid being pinched by opening or closing blades.
  • Do not operate the propeller when close to people or animals in the water.
  • Stop the engine immediately if any strange sounds or vibrations are noticed coming from propeller.
  • Check that the propeller functions in both forward and reverse before each voyage.
  • Shift gears at idling RPMs only.
  • When sailing, the propeller must be stopped for the blades to fold/close.
  • With a mechanical transmission; stop the engine and put the transmission in reverse gear to prevent the propeller from turning.
  • With hydraulic transmission; while boat is moving forward under sail or due to momentum and engine is still running, engage reverse gear and shut down the engine.

Maintenance

The only maintenance required is to keep the propeller clean.

The pivot pins and gears are water lubricated, however, adding waterproof grease to the moving parts will help the folding and unfolding.

Disassembly

Disassembling your Flexofold propeller is just as easy as mounting it. Simply follow the mounting instruction in reverse order.

Flexofold Prop Puller

Flexofold Prop Puller

If you have a shaft installation, the hub might be stuck to the shaft cone.
In that case, we recommend that you use a puller.
The Flexofold Prop Puller is designed for use on all Flexofold 2-, 3- and 4-blade propellers.
You can buy the puller directly from Flexofold under Spare Parts.

How to use the Flexofold Prop Puller

How to use the Flexofold Prop Puller

Simply place the puller behind the pivot pins. A loose fit of the locking screws will prevent the pivot pins from falling out.
Now, turn the screw against the shaft end to pull off the hub.
Heating the hub where it´s attached to the shaft cone, will often help loosen the grip.

Parts list

Flexofold 3 Blades Shaft Spare parts  

  1. Hub
  2. Shaft (not supplied)
  3. Key (not supplied)
  4. Shaft nut
  5. Shaft nut locking screw (M8x16mm)
  6. Blade (3 ea.)
  7. Pivot pin (3 ea.)
  8. Tapered pivot pin locking screw (3 ea. M8x25mm)
  9. Cover plate
  10. Cover plate screw (3 ea. M6x16mm)
  11. Anode Zn or AlMg
  12. Anode screw (M8x20mm)
  13. Allen wrench 4mm
  14. Allen wrench 5mm
  15. Allen wrench 6mm

Installation Guide

Mounting

The unique Flexofold design ensures quick and simple installation.
Just follow the step-by-step installation instructions. All parts needed are delivered with the propeller.

All mounting screws are pre-applied with underwater proof thread locker and can be used installed out of or under the water.

Please click on the following link to download and see the installation guide. If you have problems opening the files, please click here to download a free copy of Adobe Reader.

Installation guide, 3-blade propeller – shaft (.pdf)

Failure to follow the installation instructions will void warranty!

Kindly note!
Normal fluidic thread locker is not designed to be applied or cure under water and attempts to apply it under water will ultimately fail. Nor can regular thread locker be applied to the thread in air and allowed to cure before the screw is mounted under water. There will be no adhesion.

If removing the propeller underwater for any reason, do not reuse the screws when mounting again under the water. Please contact Flexofold for replacement screws that have the pre-applied thread locker.

When reusing the screws out of the water, make sure to apply a medium strength version of thread locker such as Loctite 243 (blue).

Never use a thread locker on the shaft nut. It will be difficult to dismount again.

Propeller dimensions

Please be aware:

  • Unlike the general perception, even as little as 8-10 mm of free space between propeller and hull will be fine. However, this of course depends on the specific hull shape and less clearence will normally increase propulsion noise.
  • Due to the nature of the propeller construction, folding blades are positioned further aft than a fixed propeller (see hub length) and thereby leave more space between shaft and hull.

How to calculate the total length of the folded propeller:

Propeller dimensions - Flexofold Sailboat Propellers

Hub length, ISO standard shaft

Hub length (A), 2-blades Hub length (A), 3-blades up to 23″ Hub length (A), 3-blades >22″ and 4-blades
22 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 88 mm ≈ 3.5″ 25 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 120 mm ≈ 4 47/64″ 35 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 148 mm ≈ 5 53/64″
25 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 110 mm ≈ 4 3/8″ 30 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 136 mm ≈ 5 23/64″ 40 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 157 mm ≈ 6 3/16″
30 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 130 mm ≈ 5 1/8″ 35 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 146 mm ≈ 5 3/4″ 45 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 196 mm ≈ 7 23/32″
22 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 88 mm ≈ 3.5″ 40 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 156 mm ≈ 6 9/64″ 50 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 206 mm ≈ 8 1/8″
45 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 196 mm ≈ 7 23/32″

Hub length, SAE standard shaft

Hub length (A), 2-blades Hub length (A), 3-blades up to 23″ Hub length (A), 3-blades >22″ and 4-blades
3/4″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 100 mm ≈ 4.0″ 1″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 136 mm ≈ 5 23/64″ 1 1/2″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 202 mm ≈ 8″
7/8″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 115 mm ≈ 4.5″ 1 1/8 shaft, 1:16 taper = 146 mm ≈ 5 3/4″ 1 3/4″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 210 mm ≈ 8 9/32″
1″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 130 mm ≈ 5 1/8″ 1 1/4″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 156 mm ≈ 6 9/64″ 2″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 275 mm ≈ 10 53/64″
1 1/8″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 142 mm ≈ 5 19/32″ 1 1/2″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 194 mm ≈ 7 41/64″
1 1/4″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 157 mm ≈ 6 3/16″ 1 3/8″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 177 mm ≈ 7″
1 3/4″ shaft, 1:16 taper = 210 mm ≈ 8 9/32″

Hub length, IMP standard shaft

Hub length (A), 2-blades Hub length (A), 3-blades up to 23″ Hub length (A), 3-blades >22″ and 4-blades
3/4″ shaft, 1:12 taper = 96,5 mm 1″ shaft, 1:12 taper = 116 mm ≈ 4 37/64″ 1 3/4 shaft, 1:12 taper = 196 mm ≈ 7 23/32″
1″ shaft, 1:12 taper = 110 mm ≈ 4 3/8″ 1 1/4″ shaft, 1:12 taper = 136 mm ≈ 5 23/64″ 40 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 157 mm ≈ 6 3/16″
1 1/4″ shaft, 1:12 taper = 129 mm ≈ 5 5/64″ 1 1/8 shaft, 1:12 taper = 120 mm ≈ 4 47/64″ 45 mm shaft, 1:10 taper = 196 mm ≈ 7 23/32″

Hub length (A), saildrive

2-blades 3-blades
135 mm 135 mm

Blade length (B)

2-blades 3-blades 4-blades
12″ = 139 mm ≈ 5 31/64″ 14″ = 151 mm ≈ 6″ 25″ = 275 mm ≈ 10 53/64″
13″ = 152 mm ≈ 6″ 15″ = 163 mm ≈ 6 27/64″
14″ = 165 mm ≈ 6.5″ 16″ = 176 mm ≈ 6 15/16″
15″ = 177 mm ≈ 7″ 17″ = 189 mm ≈ 7 29/64″
16″ = 190 mm ≈ 7.5″ 18″ = 202 mm ≈ 7 61/64″
17″ = 203 mm ≈ 8″ 19″ = 216 mm ≈ 8 1/2″
18″ = 215 mm ≈ 8 15/32″ 20″ = 227 mm ≈ 8 15/16″
22″ = 282 mm ≈ 11 7/64″

Propeller diameter:

12″ = 305 mm
13″ = 330 mm
14″ = 356 mm
15″ = 381 mm
16″ = 406 mm
17″ = 432 mm
18″ = 457 mm
19″ = 485 mm
20″ = 508 mm
21″ = 533 mm
22″ = 559 mm
24″ = 610 mm (3-blade propeller)
24″ = 625 mm (4-blade propeller)
25″ = 635 mm

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