Sensenich Ground Adjustable Propeller
I saw the recent announcement that Sensenich is coming out with a new composite prop for RVs with 0320s at a price of $3,500 and went to their website for more information. The website listed a composite ground adjustable propeller for 0320s for $3,750, which apparently has been listed since 2010. I found that confusing, so I emailed them for clarification as to whether this recently announced prop was the same or a different prop, the correct pricing, and any info re the spinner or other associated equipment they were apparently coming out with.
Charley at Sensenich in Plant City just replied as follows: (a) "It is the same propeller. It is just now coming entering production", and (b) "The spinner manufacturer is working on the tooling now. The price of this 13? carbon spinner will be about $625.00." He didn't respond re the fact that the announcement says the price is $3,500, whereas the website is showing $3,750 (at least it was when I emailed them a few days ago), but it seems obvious the newly announced price of $3,500 must be the one. I'm assuming you don't need to order their spinner unless you want it.
I too will be looking forward to hearing the results of the side by side comparisons between the Catto and the new Sensenich. However, I note that the Catto Jesse said he will be using in the comparison will be a 68x70. I called Craig Catto about a year ago regarding a possible new prop for my RV-4 and said I was most interested in getting top end speed. I told him I used to have (before it got nicked) a Warnke (74x74 I believe, but I could be mistaken) that really hauled *** and hope to duplicate the performance. Craig said he has put many props on RV-4s, and the prop he found that gives @200mph at @2800rpm is his 70x71 model. Obviously, everyone's speed will vary depending on the usual variables, but I understood him to mean that if you're most interested in top end speed, that's the one to order from him for the 0320.
Craig said he has a totally different way of measuring pitch than Warnke had, so the fact that I had a really fast Warnke at a particular pitch doesn't translate at all for purposes of ordering a prop from him.
Anyway, the point is, the 68x70 doesn't sound like Craig's fastest prop for the 0320. Do you guys know whether the 68x70 Catto is regarded as a climb prop, or something in between a cruise and climb prop? Whatever, the test results should be interesting. In my opinion, that Sensenich would have to be pretty darn good to justify the price difference and for that reason alone I'm probably sold on the Catto already.
Nevertheless, after reading the posts from the guys with constant speed props that are leaking oil/grease and having to be shipped for expensive overhauls, the ground adjustable prop in comparison has a lot of appeal.