Re: {Beneteau Owners} Digest for beneteau-owners@googlegroups.com - 4 updates in 1 topic

[Allen Dick]

You didn't say what type of folding prop,  but if the shaft has not been
modified to install the folding prop, installing a fixed prop should be
very simple and can be done in the water by a diver in a matter of minutes.

Finding the correct prop shouldn't be too difficult. If you specify what
engine and what model and what year your boat is artificial intelligence
should be able to dig up the answer pretty quickly and you might even be
able to borrow a prop if it is a common one and you ask around. If this
is just a temporary situation and you don't plan to do a lot of
motoring, and just use the engine for docking and tight spots, finding
the exact prop isn't even critical.

>  I have a Beneteau 373 with a folding prop. The folding prop needs to
be rebuilt. I want to get a fixed blade prop to install. That way I can
minimize storage charge in a yard and use the boat in the interim.

[Terry Rushing]

That is precisely my problem I don’t know the brand of the folding prop or if the shaft has been modified. Maybe the best option is to find a diver to remove it and send it to have it rebuilt and skip having a fixed prop made and installed.

Thanks,

Terry

> --
> Largest Beneteau group, over **1500** members and growing.
>
> To post to this group, send email to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to Beneteau-Owne...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Beneteau-Owners
> Contact beno...@gmail.com if you have a list management question
> --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Beneteau Owners" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to beneteau-owne...@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/beneteau-owners/39e8396f-f016-4281-93bf-f6501b22acd7%40gmail.com.

[John Van Den Hengel]

I have a Flexofold, and I'm very pleased with it. 

Sent by Google 8 Pro

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/beneteau-owners/48F33C5A-44D6-4068-93C7-2FBD9A3D3001%40yahoo.com.

[Jon Schultz]

The engine documentation should specify the shaft length, size and prop size for your boat, as well as the dimension of clearance from the hull bottom.

> On Oct 8, 2025, at 12:52 PM, 'Terry Rushing' via Beneteau Owners <benetea...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
> That is precisely my problem I don’t know the brand of the folding prop or if the shaft has been modified. Maybe the best option is to find a diver to remove it and send it to have it rebuilt and skip having a fixed prop made and installed.

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/beneteau-owners/48F33C5A-44D6-4068-93C7-2FBD9A3D3001%40yahoo.com.

[Allen Dick]

If you're a second or third owner of the boat, check your parts storage
in case you actually have the original prop. Owners often as not stash
it away when they put on a folding prop in case they need it in future.

Pulling off the prop to examine the shaft and the prop is a good start
because then you have facts and are not guessing.  While down there,
putting on whatever prop you can come up with at that same time will
ensure that you can move the boat around if you need to while the prop
is being rebuilt.

Correct matching of the prop is only important if you're going to motor
distances but for docking and moving short distances at low RPMs, it's
not critical at all.

Out of curiosity, What is it that makes you certain that your prop needs
rebuilding? Was it damaged?

[Terry Rushing]

I have no helpful information in my boat documentation. I am the original owner of the boat and the boat came with the folding prop. I didn’t know if all Beneteau 373s came with a folding prop or if I just lucked out and the dealer put one on. I do believe it makes a big difference.

Last time I had the boat out of the water a tech indicated I had excessive play in the blades and I just took note. That was about six months ago. I was taking the boat out recently and had just put the boat into gear and the boat shook. I put in into neutral and back into gear a couple of times and the issue went away. I talked to a prop guy and he recommended a rebuild. I now know there are a lot off parts associated with a folding prop; pivot pins, bushings, meshing gears, buffer pads, and stops. If not addressed there can be functionality issues with the blades not opening properly and also shaft or transmission damage.

I just found a company that rebuilds all brands of folding props, so I don’t need to know the specific brand. With notice they have a two day turn around so I won’t need to get a temporay prop. I am pulling the boat next week.

Thanks

> --
> Largest Beneteau group, over **1500** members and growing.
>
> To post to this group, send email to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to Beneteau-Owne...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Beneteau-Owners
> Contact beno...@gmail.com if you have a list management question
> --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Beneteau Owners" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to beneteau-owne...@googlegroups.com.

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/beneteau-owners/d7d5ec7e-1eed-441d-9954-6093716bc8b0%40gmail.com.

[Jon Schultz]

One consideration to keep in mind is the zinc
Replacement. On my max-prop you have to replace the zinc, sits on the end of the prop like an end cap. Once the zinc is eaten away it could degrade the internal prop gears.

> On Oct 9, 2025, at 1:30 PM, 'Terry Rushing' via Beneteau Owners <benetea...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
> I have no helpful information in my boat documentation. I am the original owner of the boat and the boat came with the folding prop. I didn’t know if all Beneteau 373s came with a folding prop or if I just lucked out and the dealer put one on. I do believe it makes a big difference.

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/beneteau-owners/D17E6F56-8B6B-4C60-8EF9-A54D0430CBFD%40yahoo.com.

[DAVID FLETCHER]

As to anode’s

Zinc for brackish or salt water and Magnesium for fresh water.

Fletchern
Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 9, 2025, at 3:24 PM, Jon Schultz <jsch...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> One consideration to keep in mind is the zinc

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/beneteau-owners/459CD785-B7E4-4F65-BBB7-E065BACF6797%40gmail.com.