RivetBangers.com

Just an FYI:

I just ordered my Catto 3-blade prop (66"diameter x 74" pitch) for an O-360 engine. The price is now $2150 which is slightly higher than the Sensenich at $2090 buy MUCH lighter.... and sexier!

That's a 14% price increase! Did wood go up in price? Composite materials go up?

Hmm...I'm not sure I like the idea of spending more for a non-certified FP wood/composite prop. At $1850 it was a steal, and no doubt was going on the nose of my 7. I'm gonna have to reconsider this option now...Nothing wrong with the Catto prop, and it has proven itself over and over again that it works, but if a Sensi prop can be had for less money with similar performance now...

Not so sure about the similar performance. Does the Sensenich still have an RPM limitation? None to be found on the Catto. Craig is probably just raising his price to slow down demand. Both times I visited him he was slammed with work.

Yeah, the Sensenich has a limit according to Vans:

NOTE: 70CM (150/160 HP) PROPELLERS ARE LIMITED TO MAXIMUM 2600 RPM

I'm not sure about the props for 180-200hp. Either way, you are comparing a 2-blade prop to a 3-blade Catto prop. I agree that the 2-blade metal prop will outperform the 3-blade but performance alone is not my goal. The maple core/composite prop from Craig is only 16lbs and is far smoother than any metal bladed prop.

Looks better too.

No RPM limitation on 360's for the Sensi...

I agree wholeheartedly that the Catto looks better, by a mile! And it is no doubt lighter and smoother...all reasons that I am still very much interested in using one...it's just a big jump in price, relatively speaking.

cjensen wrote:...it's just a big jump in price, relatively speaking.

I think this is what my old Economics Professor referred to as "supply and demand".

Or is it "another fool is born every minute"?

Either way... I'm sort of kicking myself right now for not ordering one this summer, as I had planned...

Since you mention "kicking yourself"... I was shocked to see how much Emagair went up on their P-Mags.... They DOUBLED in price.

cjensen wrote: Either way... I'm sort of kicking myself right now for not ordering one this summer, as I had planned...

Uh, you didnt know what engine you were using this summer.

smithhb wrote:Just an FYI:

I just ordered my Catto 3-blade prop (66"diameter x 74" pitch) for an O-360 engine. The price is now $2150 which is slightly higher than the Sensenich at $2090 buy MUCH lighter.... and sexier!

What's the "turn-around time" from order to doorstep estimated to be?

Spike wrote:Uh, you didnt know what engine you were using this summer.

Sort of. As of the middle of July, I knew what I WASN'T going to use! At that point, I knew I needed/wanted a Catto three blade, and I should have ordered one then.

His invoice projects a ship date of 1/14/08...Which would be 4mos, 2 weeks. Another -9 builder near me just got his Catto two weeks ago after waiting 9 months. I assumed the 9 month wait to be standard so I went ahead and ordered.

Actually, I was going to wait for CJ to set up a group buy for the Catto prop but I really wanted to fly before 2010.

What does Craig require at order? I've heard 50%, then the other 50% prior to shipping.

Bingo. You got it.

smithhb wrote:Actually, I was going to wait for CJ to set up a group buy for the Catto prop but I really wanted to fly before 2010.

Sounds like Catto doesn't need a group buy to spur on sales based upon their HUGE WAIT!

They need some Brazilians to work 2 more shifts!

(We have LOTS of Brazilian workers here on Cape Cod and they work really hard.)

CJ

captain_john wrote:

smithhb wrote:Actually, I was going to wait for CJ to set up a group buy for the Catto prop but I really wanted to fly before 2010.

Sounds like Catto doesn't need a group buy to spur on sales based upon their HUGE WAIT!
CJ

This is an old thread but thought I would update it. My new three blade Catto arrived last week, exactly 13 months from order. It is a thing of beauty. I sent bottles of the House of Kolor Kandy Apple Red and Kandy Teal that my plane is going to be painted with. Craig used the Kandies for his trademark "swoosh" design on the tips. Can't wait to see the whole plane painted in the Kandies.

Steve Eberhart
RV-7A, almost done

Steve, How about showing a picture of the new prop? BTW, I ordered my prop last August so as of today I have been waiting 8 months...

smithhb wrote:Steve, How about showing a picture of the new prop? BTW, I ordered my prop last August so as of today I have been waiting 8 months...

Sorry it took me so long to see this. Here is what my Catto looks like. I couldn't be happier.

That is a nice looking piece of hardware!