Hi Paul,
I have posted elsewhere on this forum ref. prop. experience, on a boat very similar to yours. The conclusion was the feathering prop was very good, transforming the sailing performance from when we had a fixed prop.
Ref. your existing prop, hopefully the surveyor is giving an observation based on his experience. So, a detailed discussion on his experience of this specific issue would make you feel better, should you choose to keep it. But if the gearing is intact, the system proven to work, the tooth clearances good to the surveyor’s experience, it may be better to get a seasons use out of it, to find where the issues for investment in the boat actually are. Prop. changes may be straightforward, but they can become projects. A previous reply mentioned to go for a fixed prop for safety in the short term, which is a very valid comment. But if you want to sail, the feathering prop is so very good.
You mention, in passing, saildrive & engine seals need servicing- this could mean replacement. The hull seal may be straightforward but costly, but it may be the prop shaft seal has scored the shaft so it’s not a simple seal change. The discussion will then be about shaft sleeving which may or may not be sleeved in the right place on the shaft, or prop shaft replacement, then there are the issues of the drive shaft shims & on & on it goes. And that’s only if there is nothing major. So it may be a good plan, for the first season, depending on your discussion with the surveyor, is “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.
Best of luck with the new boat- you will love it!