Is there anyone in the GK24 fleet running a Petter Mini 6 with a folding prop? I would like to ask some questions regarding the arrangement. Minx has a Watermota converted Mini 6 with a feathering prop and I need to do some repairs so might look to convert it to a folding prop (can't manage a new engine but I do have a couple of normal gearboxes in the garage to do the conversion....)

Chris Hawkes
Minx GBR 3387T

Slipalong has what is probably the original lister (petter )single cylinder diesel with 6.6 and folding prop not that i have teken apart but can look to see if anything will help . Had a double pot generator lister dating 1964 at last farm i was at and think they are great little engines was startomatic too.! Have electric know !

Ben, good to know at least someone has still got the old set up! Minx has a Watermota feathering prop on a Mini 6. It means that the engine is back to front with only a speed reduction gearbox. It has some ag as the feathering is done with a 3/4 shaft inside an 1" shaft so lots of seals and as it is old more prone to leaking. I am looking at changing it eventually to a standard Petter set up with single shaft and folding prop (I have a Petter to recondition with a couple of f/n/r gearboxes.) Eventually when I have to bite the bullet, with a new engine, then I will already have at least sorted the shaft. Do you have the details on your folding prop? I heard that there could be some problems as the Petter is too low powered to flick the folding prop blades out? Do you have any problems?

Hi Chris ,
Sorry for slow reply ,slipalong copes well with her folding prop and is quick to go astern as well . Pushes her along at an easy 4 knots without pushing it , would think with a favourable wind and good tide behind an easy 6+ knots would be possible . we replaced the cutlass and found the prop nut was missing and had been for a while so the advice of make sure with a folding prop that you keep it well maintained to work properly should have some salt water with it .Have pushed the sacrificial anode further up the shaft as was to close to allow good water flow .Petter does need a good battery to start properly from cold as found out, and now changed so the starting handle is only any good with a bit of battery left, even with decompression lever out .We are launched so next time out will measure prop and try to check angle although on board have original book on engine so will see if prop mentioned on that.Have sent details for boat profile to be shown on site so should see us there soon

Ben( slipalong)