CHOOSING THE CORRECT PROPELLER

  • Phone 2 078Selecting the correct propeller for your vessel is one of the most important factors for your boats performance.boat-propellers  There are many styles, shapes, number of blades, and types of marine propellers available to the power boater.
  • Selecting the correct pitch and diameter for your engine/vessel combination is step one.
  • The propeller should let the engine spin up to maximum RPM under the average load at WOT.
  • All propellers have “slip” the loss of efficiency when turning through water, when compared to the theoretical movement through a solid. Stainless Steel propellers have less “slip” than propellers made out of aluminum, due to the aluminum material’s flex.
  • The better designed Stainless steel propellers (usually more expensive) have less power robbing SLIP than others.
  • Obviously, the propeller with the lowest SLIP, will be more efficient, and usually produce higher vessel speeds at a given RPM.
  • The diameter should be as large as possible, while fitting the housing properly, and clearing the anode.
  • Having a good propeller shop add “cup” to the blade edges, will help to improve the propellers grip through the water.
  • Blade numbers depend on the desired results.
  • Three blade propellers are good for most applications, while four blade propellers usually provide more stern lift.
  • Five or more blade propellers are usually configured for either torque, or used in surface piercing designs.
  • As to material, most outboards & stern-drives use either aluminum or stainless.
  • Stainless Steel Propellers offer more performance and options than aluminum.
  • Stainless propellers flex less under load, and can be manufactured into high rake designs.
  • Correct venting of your propeller can greatly improve hole-shot, while still maintaining top speed characteristics.
  • A good propeller shop can vent your propeller for you, if it was not manufactured with vents.
  • In S/W Florida BURRIS PROPELLER SERVICE does a GREAT job with Outboard MARINE PROPELLERS.
  • If your propeller has damage to the outside blade area, this can negatively affect it’s performance, and increase fuel consumption.

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Your propeller is the key component in moving your vessel through the water,

make sure you have the right type and size for optimum performance & fuel economy.