Cannot remember other figures they are still on the boat. Think max power speed is about 6.5 kn at 2800 and we cannot reach full engine RPM of 3400. We have a bit of soot on the transom but no black smoke to note. Thinking about that perhaps we should have more smoke if max RPM not being reached. Will work on that one.

You are certainly right about the noise situation. With your explanation it is easy to hear the different notes involved. Since you put me right about the noise it now sounds just like high pressure water being pushed through some restriction. All noise goes away as the boat starts to move and no noise in reverse.

The picture tells the truth.

Regards Peter Miller.

Customer report #3

Subject: Re: Dan's 350 Bene prop
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2002 09:20:03 -0700
From: Dan La Casse 
To: John Blundell 


Hi John

Sorry about delay in reply about the prop. Received it on Sept. 5 and managed to get the boat hauled and it installed on the way to the regatta. Didn't get a chance to race with it, long story!! However, my comments and my thanks because; It is about a 40 mile return trip so I can advise that-

1/ holding my rev's constant at 2500, before I ran at about 5.9 knots or just under, while after I ran at 6.35 or just over (based on knot meter not GPS) but in similar water conditions.

2/ to achieve same speed I can now hold @5.9 knots at @2200 rev's.

3/ the vibrations are significantly reduced, the higher the rev's, the more noticeable.

4/at 2500 rev's, it now smells like the engine is working- it's what we call that old diesel smell we noticed when we used to ride our 'greyhound' buses in years gone by

5/I played 'mother ship' and towed another boat part way down to the Regatta and it seemed to have nice power

6/Haven't had a chance to confirm at similar speed about fuel consumption, but at the higher 6.3 I think I'm using more fuel, perhaps trying to push hull speed as on the way back our knot meter was showing @ 6.3 while GPS was higher by up to 0.8 in a headwind on a lake- we do get a current but usually with the wind. I'll be doing further and let you know.

7/Reverse is awesome, had to suck it out of the berth against the wind (@25 knots) and it did fine- both power and very little crabbing. See next line (s)

8/Took several people out to try it in a bit of a blow, been to busy with work otherwise, and sailing at between 5 and 7+ knots (knot meter) it no longer looks like the back end of the Queen Mary prop wash. Used to get vibration and induced rotation at that speed. Had some serious wash but just close in and then it settled out, in fairness to you, I think it was hull/rudder/prop combo. It is much easier to carry through the tacks and you could see the speed adjust in the puffs- this in heavy air. It was blowing hard enough that we lay the boat on its side in one of the puffs and then rounded over to 'hove-to', lets just say it was snotting out there (we were only ones out).

9/ Coming back in, we are open to the wind, I was able to come in with some steam and then power back hard and in control - worked great, as still have a bow and a dock.

PS: Volvo 2003 28 hp on a 2.37:1 reduction with a 17” x 21 deg Kiwiprop


Final comments, we will be attempting to race it next series (in 10 days) and I'll advise the results. We can be in 90 'kliks' (most go home) to -1 'klik' (masthead does 360's). I like results so far and we will keep you advised. Even my 'Aussie' machinist thinks you 'Kiwis' may have something, he'll try sailing with us next series- the 'wimp' puts his boat
away for 'winter'.

You've been great to work with. If you need this redrafted as a bit of a testimonial or if anyone has questions about, I'll be happy to oblige. Photo to follow.

Many thanks!
Dan La Casse

Customer report #4

From: Jamie Hallman
To: Don Walton
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2002 10:52 PM
Subject: RE: Kiwi props

Don,

A few thoughts on the Kiwi Props after a half season as a Power Cat.

As I mentioned, I don't have a lot to compare the performance to, having never operated a diesel powered 40' Cat before, but the short answer is the props work! The boat behaved as if we had fixed blade props down there, with great bottom end power, excellent reverse (thanks no doubt to the full pitch) and no noticeable vibrations or noise. Maneuverability is excellent thanks to the 18' between the props and we can easily spin the boat in its length as well as prop walk it over to a wharf. Perhaps the best test of their utility is the fact that Michelle has total confidence in her ability to handle the boat, and is oblivious that there might be something novel attached to the saildrives.

I expect the real benefits will show up next summer when we get the rig and sails on the boat. The props strike everyone who sees them as clever, and it is easy to visualize that they will independently feather to the water flow. I've lost track of the number of people that have walked by since we hauled her and flipped the blades back and forth while asking about them. Everyone agrees that they will likely feather much more effectively at any speed than any of the other feathering props on the market given the simple mechanism and lightweight blades.

I was able to get around 10 knots of boat speed out of them at just under the rated rpms of the engines, still calibrating the knot meter. Given that it was relatively flat water, and I had no rig on the boat I actually think they might be just a bit over pitched, though I spent most of the season effortlessly powering around in the 6-8 knot range. I may just leave them as is until I get the rig on and get the dealer over with his snorkel to adjust them after I'm in the water next spring ;-)

As an added benefit, it took me all of 5 minutes to take both props off for the winter, while a neighbor in the yard spent 20 minutes disassembling his feathering propeller- he actually debated whether it might be easier to pull the entire shaft as last year he re-assembled the prop backwards and had to haul the boat to fix it. As a final note, they are also still the best priced props on the market as well.

Jamie, Michelle and Noah
Simpson 40 Cat Amurru

Customer report #5

From: Patrice Letailleur
To: Don Walton
Sent: Monday, December 02, 2002 623 PM
Subject: Kiwi Prop

Don,

Sorry to not had taken time to write you sooner.

First of all, Kiwi prop is one of the best improvement I made on my Hunter 31. It is exactly what I wanted. Before, I had a small 2 blades prop with very poor power. Now, here are the points.

- Under sail, I gained more than 10% of speed. For example, on backwind, I can go 0.5 knot faster at about 5 knots.

- Under engine power, the agility of the boat increased dramatically improving maneuverability in marina. It is like having a more powerful engine. My engine is still a small 15 HP Yanmar.

- Under forward power, my max speed is exactly the same as before but the boat accelerates much faster. Furthermore, even with strong front wind, I can now keep the same speed.

- Under reverse power, the difference is amazing. Now I can stop my boat immediately in a straight manner.

- Installation can not be easier.

- The propeller is made of very few parts less parts, less problems. The blades are independent. So, even if one blade does not rotate normally for any reason, the 2 others can still work.

- I had just one little problem that was very easily resolved. On my first try to stop my boat with reverse power, after throttle back to idle, the engine stops. The idle speed was too low. I adjusted it at about 750 rpm and since, the engine has never stalled again.

And now, I recommend the kiwi Feather prop to everyone that wants to improve sailing performance and maneuverability under power.

With no hesitations.

Thank you again

Patrice Letailleur