Sdrive noise undersail

[elias]

Hi!
While sailing, d2 55 sdrive makes this sound like the video . We had the drive fully serviced ( bearings , disc , etc ) is this normal ? Oil is crystal clear and when on engine everything smooth . Any ideas ?

[symphony2]

Yes, if it is in neutral and the prop is spinning. Solution is either put it in forward to lock the prop or fit a folding or feathering prop which is less likely to spin.

[Clivert]

Standard procedure is to put it in reverse

[symphony2]

Yes, you are right. Senior moment!

[PEA-JAY]

I do remember that noise from a free spinning prop during delivery from Slovenia to Malta. Mine sounded like a sewing machine. However I distinctly remember I was told by the commissioning agent not to lock the drive.  As Bavaria wouldn't give me my fixed prop if I opted for the folding one, I had bought a VP folding prop from Marine Parts Express and installed it when I arrived home. The (not insignificant) saving went towards the first anti fouling paint job! ;-)

[Lazy Pelican]

Advice from VP and others is to let the prop spin & not lock it in place.
Locking in place was likened to putting a car in gear and constantly rocking it back and forwards. The wear and tear is considerable. Also tests have shown that a locked prop produces more drag that spinning freely.

[elias]

The manual says also to leave the prop spin. But anyone had the same experience with that noise ?

[MagicalArmchair]

Yup, mine makes the same noise. Drives me mad, however best practise is to leave it spinning... must get a folding prop next year....

[Jake]

Mine usually made noise when free wheeling in neutral.  I just accepted it and that is how VP wants it to be.

I put a folding prop on this Spring and am loving the silence and the increased boat speed.  What a wonderful experience.

Jake

[MagicalArmchair]

Which prop Jake?

[GeoffV]

Flexofold on my Bav 37. Works a treat.

[symphony2]

Another vote for Flexofold

[MagicalArmchair]

Time to start saving some pennies for next winters haul out... Thank you both.

[elias]

It looks the only way to get rid of that sound ... Any experience on a folding prop for d255 on a 44 or similar will be appreciated . Does anybody knows how much speed you loose from installing a folding while motoring or problems with manuavering ?

[sy_Anniina]

We have Volvo folding on MD22 (50hp?)  Bavaria 40 (2001), but no experience on fixed propellers.

Never had any issues with inadequate power / grip either reversing or going forward.

Easily reach hull speed (stern burying) and uncofortably banging speed in headwind/ -waves.
More importantly you should gain sailing speed, especially in lighter winds

BR,

Tommi
s/y Anniina

[symphony2]

No loss of speed or reverse performance if you choose a good one such as a FlexoFold. Sometimes an improvement particularly with some of the feathering designs. The maker you choose will supply the correct size for your boat which may be different from the size of the fixed prop.

[JEN-et-ROSS]

Ours is a three blade Volvo folding prop. The performance is excellent, particularly in slow maneuvering.
However, I pop it into reverse when sailing as the windmilling blades are sometimes kept 'open' by their own motion's centrifugal force, and stopping them spinning allows the boat speed to close them........Bill.