Best prop for an Ericson 39?

[DiamondDealer]

This is a follow up to some of my earlier questions (there will be plenty!). I've "signed on*" an Ericson 39 that appears to be set up as a damned fine sailer. The prop is a two blade folder that we're just not sure of. Here in Charleston SC the waters can run very hard, and it's a good thing to know you're good under power both forward and in reverse.

So what recommendations would y'all make? I know our current prop is fantastic under sail, but we will have to motor more than a bit. Loren here suggests a three blade feathering prop (thanks Loren). Any other thoughts, comments, cautions, warnings, endorsements?

Again, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experience. It's appreciated more than you know.

(*"Signed on" really means the owner seems to respect me and wants me to help get things up and running correctly, at least in these early days.)

 

[Guy Stevens]

Max Prop. Have 10s of thousands of miles on an E-39 with a maxprop. Nothing else comes close. "3 blade Classic" works fine

G

 

[DiamondDealer]

Thanks much amigo. I appreciate the advice.

 

[gadangit]

What Guy said.

 

[DiamondDealer]

I just checked out their site and the Max Prop Classic has been retired as of 2019. It looks like the Max-prop Easy is the successor. Still looks good, though. Do you think it'll do as well as the earlier one?

 

[Guy Stevens]

Yes the new one will work fine. Just easier to adjust.
G

 

[DaveE26]

You cant go wrong with Max Prop, the only key to keeping it happy is grease every year and in places like Fla 2 times a year.
I have a 13" 2 blade and its the best!

 

[DiamondDealer]

Thanks for all the input gang. We had quite an adventure yesterday (I'll tell about it elsewhere) and I got to see just how bad the two blade folding prop on this boat really is for reverse. Man, it was almost non-existent! Bringing her into dock at one point, "parallel parking" between two other vessels, I doubt I was able to shave half a knot off my forward way by putting her in reverse.

We'll definitely be looking into the Max Prop three blade sooner rather than later.