img7674The 3-blade Gori folding propeller marks a technological and functional leap forward in the development of propellers for sailboats. It is now possible for sailboats and motorsailers to gain the folding propeller's speed advantages under sail, combined with the fixed propeller's thrust capability when motoring.

Unique to the Gori folding propeller is its "overdrive" function: when the prop shaft engages in forward, the propeller unfolds normally to its designed pitch. When the transmission is shifted to reverse, the blades of the propeller move through the folded position, and reopen to the designed pitch in reverse. Shifting to overdrive is done while the boat is still moving astern. The pressure of the water on the back of the blades prevents the propeller from moving through the folded position, and it begins to rotate in the forward direction with the blades set at a higher pitch. Disengaging overdrive is accomplished by shifting into neutral while the boat is moving forward. The prop folds, and reopens to its designed pitch when the transmission is shifted to forward.

The "overdrive" is used when motorsailing in fair weather or when using the engine under sail. The "overdrive" gives the same speed at lower RPMs. The result is less engine noise, less vibration and better fuel economy.

Custom yachts carrying Gori include Pyewacket, Sayonara, EF Language, Kingfisher, Playstation and Club Med. Production Yachts include Hinckley, Morris, Baltic, Moody and Swan.

Available in the US from Pyacht.com