My Flexofold works perfectly, once I learned how to use it. The last propulsion must be forward, over 3 knots to get it to close while sailing. In reverse, there is a click sound, actually locking the blades into place at low speed, then once in reverse, backs beautifully. Almost more reverse thrust than my old fixed blade prop. It is all about allowing the shaft to come to a stop, I think, before going into reverse. Beneteau Oceanis 351.
I still get some comments and DM's on these FlexoFold video's. I took the propeller to a local workshop who fixes bent propellers and such, they found that there where an imperfection in the propeller that made it vibrate (Weight difference in the blades), and that again made it collapse when it had to rely on the centrifugal force to hold it open in reverse. The issue was fixed and the propeller performed great after that. Although FlexoFold did get back to me, they used all their e-mails and a phone call yelling at me for makin a bad video about their propeller than actually helping me and giving me tips to find the problem. Hope this answers your questions. 🙂
In May I purchased a 2-blade flex-o-fold, placed it on the boat, boat was splashed and upon placing boat into reverse to exit the lift slift I could feel an unusual vibration, went into forward and vibration was worse and at 2000 rpm my vision vibrated, that's not exaggerated. Pulled boat 2 more times, one to reseat new prop, the other to put old prop back on. Needless to say I'm very disapointed so far. I emailed them and called to leave a message, hopefully I hear back from them. Too bad too because the boat moved nicely forward and reverse with no reverse prop-walk.
I have had 3 flexofolds on 2 different boats, Amazing props. You sir, had the wrong prop size on the boat. The italian job you switched it for looks smaller and heavier.
SY JollyDodger Obviously the design of the flexofold is poor and the sales manager was upset you pointed it out to all the unsuspecting consumers. I say thanks! My guess would be the blades are not heavy enough for the centrifugal velocity to throw them out as the friction from the water keeps trying to close them. Did you notice a weight difference between the two different sets of blades?
S/V Southern Cross Yes, the Radice propeller blades are much heavyer than Flexofold's blades. Alltough, I am waiting in excitement for an answer from Flexofold's sales and marketing manager.
SY JollyDodger Well my guess is that's your answer. The blades are too light. It will be interesting so see what you are told from Flexofold. Glad to hear your Radice got you back and moving in the water!. Thanks again for sharing!
Yes, there was an imperfection on the propeller blade. I did not hear more from FlexoFold but after measures in a lab we could conclude that it was one of the propeller blades that was faulty. I got my hands on a new blade and It worked perfectly after that... Although they have absolutely appalling customer service, FlexoFold are one of the absolutely best propellers I have ever had my hands on.
Too bad the Flexfold manager could not see the problem and your predicament. All he had to establish was your service RPM and then he could calculate if the blades were of the correct weight. I suspect they are too light for your application. If Flexfold had been more helpful you would not have had to go public to get help. The fact that he was unhelpful when you gave him another opportunity to put it right is unforgivable - and a good marketing warning to prospective customers that they buy with the assurance of bugger all help from Flexfold.
Norman Boyes I did ask on the forums before I contacted Flexofold. The Sales manager gave me a list of possible problems I would need to check out. Some pretty strange and some worthy to check out. Although, I have checked every possible problem and none of them has turned out to be the cause. I did send him an email yesterday. I'm still waiting for a reply on that email. He is currently out of office until next week tho. Flexofold might still come out of this looking good.
![The Wall Song ร้องข้ามกำแพง | EP.202 | ตั้ม วราวุธ / เบสท์ คำสิงห์ | 18 ก.ค. 67 [1/5]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cwIoA7XHqnE/mqdefault.jpg)
My Flexofold works perfectly, once I learned how to use it. The last propulsion must be forward, over 3 knots to get it to close while sailing. In reverse, there is a click sound, actually locking the blades into place at low speed, then once in reverse, backs beautifully. Almost more reverse thrust than my old fixed blade prop. It is all about allowing the shaft to come to a stop, I think, before going into reverse. Beneteau Oceanis 351.
Maybe that guy from flexofold needs a lesson in sales tactics. ;) Great vid!!
Sailing Monea Indeed he do! They have yet to answer my last mail. Sent it several times with no luck. Flexofold is indeed a unserious company sadly.
I still get some comments and DM's on these FlexoFold video's. I took the propeller to a local workshop who fixes bent propellers and such, they found that there where an imperfection in the propeller that made it vibrate (Weight difference in the blades), and that again made it collapse when it had to rely on the centrifugal force to hold it open in reverse. The issue was fixed and the propeller performed great after that. Although FlexoFold did get back to me, they used all their e-mails and a phone call yelling at me for makin a bad video about their propeller than actually helping me and giving me tips to find the problem. Hope this answers your questions. 🙂
very interesting...thanks for posting-
In May I purchased a 2-blade flex-o-fold, placed it on the boat, boat was splashed and upon placing boat into reverse to exit the lift slift I could feel an unusual vibration, went into forward and vibration was worse and at 2000 rpm my vision vibrated, that's not exaggerated. Pulled boat 2 more times, one to reseat new prop, the other to put old prop back on. Needless to say I'm very disapointed so far. I emailed them and called to leave a message, hopefully I hear back from them. Too bad too because the boat moved nicely forward and reverse with no reverse prop-walk.
I have had 3 flexofolds on 2 different boats, Amazing props. You sir, had the wrong prop size on the boat. The italian job you switched it for looks smaller and heavier.
SY JollyDodger Obviously the design of the flexofold is poor and the sales manager was upset you pointed it out to all the unsuspecting consumers. I say thanks! My guess would be the blades are not heavy enough for the centrifugal velocity to throw them out as the friction from the water keeps trying to close them. Did you notice a weight difference between the two different sets of blades?
S/V Southern Cross Yes, the Radice propeller blades are much heavyer than Flexofold's blades. Alltough, I am waiting in excitement for an answer from Flexofold's sales and marketing manager.
SY JollyDodger Well my guess is that's your answer. The blades are too light. It will be interesting so see what you are told from Flexofold. Glad to hear your Radice got you back and moving in the water!. Thanks again for sharing!
Did you ever hear back. Currently looking at one of these and want to know wether to steer clear. Thanks for the video
Yes, there was an imperfection on the propeller blade. I did not hear more from FlexoFold but after measures in a lab we could conclude that it was one of the propeller blades that was faulty. I got my hands on a new blade and It worked perfectly after that... Although they have absolutely appalling customer service, FlexoFold are one of the absolutely best propellers I have ever had my hands on.
Many thanks for your reply
Too bad the Flexfold manager could not see the problem and your predicament. All he had to establish was your service RPM and then he could calculate if the blades were of the correct weight. I suspect they are too light for your application. If Flexfold had been more helpful you would not have had to go public to get help. The fact that he was unhelpful when you gave him another opportunity to put it right is unforgivable - and a good marketing warning to prospective customers that they buy with the assurance of bugger all help from Flexfold.
Norman Boyes I did ask on the forums before I contacted Flexofold. The Sales manager gave me a list of possible problems I would need to check out. Some pretty strange and some worthy to check out. Although, I have checked every possible problem and none of them has turned out to be the cause. I did send him an email yesterday. I'm still waiting for a reply on that email. He is currently out of office until next week tho. Flexofold might still come out of this looking good.
gonna say must be a gay sailboat with a gay looking prop like that!!