The marina conversation, documented
Word of mouth built this company — every marina has the conversation. We document it properly: boat, engine, previous prop, measured change, and what the result doesn't prove.
Volvo Penta MD2030 · shaft · was fixed 3-blade
Autoprop H5, 430 mm
Cruise at 5.5 knots dropped from 2,250–2,500 rpm to ~1,800 rpm. Owner reports the boat 'settles' — noticeably quieter below, fuel flow down accordingly.
What this doesn't prove: One boat, owner-logged figures, coastal conditions.
Solar, wind & water generation · twin electric drives
2 × Autoprop Eco*Star
The first yacht to sail around the world without fossil fuels — her hydro-generation supplied by the two Eco*Stars regenerating under sail (the system's documented capability: up to 1 kW).
What this doesn't prove: A voyage, not a lab: regeneration depends on the whole installation.
Was fixed 3-blade · heavy-weather passage-making
Autoprop
“Reversing the boat is much easier, the boat's track is now predictable. Motoring into a force 7 to 8 the Autoprop punched us through heavy seas effortlessly.”
What this doesn't prove: Owner's words from the Bruntons press file; conditions as stated.
3-blade Varifold · racing & fast cruising
Varifold 3-blade
“The 3 blade Varifold is matched very well to motor output… no vibration whatsoever… the first time on any of our three boats!”
What this doesn't prove: Owner testimonial from the Varifold programme.
Tested Autoprop against fixed before departure
Autoprop
“Both propellers reached about 8 knots at maximum revs; the Autoprop delivered 6 knots at 1,250 rpm, while the fixed blade needed 1,500 rpm for the same speed. Cruising was much more fuel efficient — and it runs very quietly, without delay between forward and astern.”
What this doesn't prove: One vessel, owner-measured, before an ocean crossing.
4-blade Varifold · superyacht build
Varifold 4-blade
“Perfect.” — PG Johansson of Baltic Yachts, on the 4-blade Varifold fitted to a Baltic 147.
What this doesn't prove: A builder's verdict, not a measured trial — but builders repeat orders.
Shortlisted Flexofold, Gori and Max-Prop before choosing
Varifold 2-blade × 2
Excellent drive forward and in reverse — the twin-engine cat “spins on a sixpence”, and the old fear of snagging lobster-pot lines folded away with the blades.
What this doesn't prove: Owner's comparison across brands was on paper; only the Varifold was sea-trialled.
Cruiser-racer campaign, Caribbean
Varifold 3-blade
Won her cruising class at Bequia and at the Barbados Mount Gay Regatta 2013 — folded drag is measured in silverware.
What this doesn't prove: Race results reflect crew and boat as much as propeller.
Replaced a Gori — chose from Bruntons' predicted speed graph
Varifold 4-blade, 22″ × 15″
Sea trials matched Bruntons' predicted speed curve closely, with a more positive drive astern — the owner bought the prediction, then the water confirmed it.
What this doesn't prove: One boat; predictions are engineering, not guarantees.
Master-cabin noise problem with a feathering propeller
Varifold 4-blade
The cabin noise problem disappeared and the boat holds the same speeds at lower revs — the fix was the blade design, not more insulation.
What this doesn't prove: Noise perception is subjective; revs and speeds were logged.
The flywheel
At handover we ask each owner for the before/after numbers — revs, litres, knots — and publish the ones we can document, with their boat and conditions. If you've got a Bruntons prop and a logbook, we'd love your story.
Every documented owner story started with the same step — a sizing enquiry with the boat's real numbers.