40 plus weedless or not to weedless

[Mutineer]

Out of curiousity for the 40 plus
Is the original 4 bladed square prop more powerful than the later 3 bladed weedless models?
Has anybody tried both?

[woodbutchergraham]

Hi with the 40+ the three blade weed less does nearly what it says on the tin. However I feel the four blade fan type gives more oomph hard to explain but faster turn of speed. Nothing scientific over a timed distance both props semi polished only seconds in it (no rev counter). But if like most rivers the weed less does a reasonable job of throwing off most of it.
Only my opinion, in the Alps last year fuel consumption was significantly less usage (4 blade). May be the Bio two stroke, the altitude clear fresh water, air temperature. Too many variables to measure.

[Mutineer]

Seagulls in the Alps?
No river sailing for me ,maybe I should try the 4 bladed spare I have

[woodbutchergraham]

Give it a go, lakes don’t seem to suffer with the weed problems that our rivers and canals do. The hydro vane prop I think was dropped due to the so called modern design props lent themselves to a weed less shape. But like the wheel if it works why alter it. Thats me and my 40+ enjoying 100+ temp in the lovely clear blue waters of lake Annecy in my picture
all the best
Graham

[Rob Ripley]

My 40+ was stopped by weed getting tangled around the prop every 100 yards or so a few weeks ago (in a country lake)- after multiple stops/tilts/cleans/re-starts I wondered first whether I should sharpen the leading edge, or then if the C100 would have performed better.

[woodbutchergraham]

I’ve tried that on the four blade it dint have much effect on the weed it still raped itself around the prop. I fear the Seagull has a reputation for finding any weed there is. There is a photo of a converted knife fitted off the skeg to deal with wrap around weed somewhere on the site.

[Collector Inspector]

I think Seagull only professed to semi weedless?

That would mean that only a semi trailer load of weed would be picked up............

The best weedless desigb was by OMC with the 3Hp twin!

It has a downward facing pr0pshaft and a very clever design of swash plate etc on the gearbox casting.

You can actually aim directly to weed waters and it just works right the way through.

No one has been able to do the same design yet.

B

[Mutineer]

Ha! Semi-weedless!
Like the USA
Personally I can't do anything by halves and had to go cold turkey...

Having mostly puttered around Indian Arm, Burrard Inlet and English Bay out west here
I've generally not picked up any weed regardless of which Seagull I was using(and up till mid last year they've all been the older style props).There might've been once when a bit plugged my water intake

[Keith.P]

Most of the rivers in my area are very weedy and my old sailing club has been weeded out the last three summers.

I was always under the impression that the Johnson/Evinrude 3hp was only called a weedless prop because you could lift the prop over reeds with the prop just under the water, as it still have a backwards facing prop, unlike others.
Your one looks like a late 60's fold up one.

[Rob Ripley]

Seen on a pedal powered kayak -
Would a prop like this be more 'weedless' than the 2, 4 and 5 blade offers from Seagull.
Perhaps cast in resin, or aluminium.