Reviews & References

After a humpback whale destroyed not only our rudder but also our propeller between Tonga and Fiji, we drifted rudderless in the Pacific in a calm. Only after 24 hours did the wind come up and we were able to reach Port Denarau/Fiji for repairs with the help of the rudder of our wind turbine. There we first installed a three-bladed fixed pitch propeller, which we had carried as an emergency replacement.

We also contacted SPW in Bremerhaven because our Catalina 34 needed a new propeller. After a very good consultation, we decided on a 4-blade feathering propeller to be sent to Australia. It arrived on time and was installed there.

In January 2003, after an irreparable defect of our Maxprop feathering propeller in Gran Canaria, we have fitted our club-owned 18-metre sailing yacht “Passage” with the Variprop DF 112, a three-bladed feathering propeller by SPW. The “Passage”, a 18-metre Alusloop, was originally designed for the 1990s “Whitbread-around the World-Race” and has been in use for charter sailing trips and expeditions up north by our sailing club “Mare-Incognita” (www.mareincognita.ch) since 2010.

As a cruise and regatta sailor, I had the VARIPROP 3-Blade installed and switched to the 4-Blade in 2004. I have to say: The 4-Blade VARIPROP is a stunner. In wind and waves, when sailing doesn‘t work anymore, it is a genuine help. Even harbour or lock manoeuvres in extremely narrow spaces, even without bow and stern thrusters, can be carried out safely. During the 2019 season, I had the opportunity to become familiar with the 4-Blade VARIPROP GP. My test route went through the North Sea and the Baltic Sea to Bornholm. When motoring, the 4-Blade GP proved to be incredibly powerful. Diesel consumption decreased noticeably as well. I have been very satisfied with the SPW feathering propellers for 25 years.