Boating Propeller
June 13, 2009 by Chris Wethered
Filed under Boat Engines And Sailboat Hardware
Thrust from your boating propeller moves the boat in the direction you want to go. Here's the question When was the last time you tested the performance of the propeller?
Next time your out on the water set the throttle to wide open (WOT). Consult your engine manual to determine the correct pitch or RPM. Usually between five thousand to thousand five hundred RPM.
Questions for you:
- Does the engine reach WOT?
- Is the engine struggling to get there?
- If the engine is overloaded then you maybe facing a bigger bill than just the prop
Your prop needs replacing if the engine cannot maintain thrust at WOT. Replacement now will out way the damage caused if left unchecked.
How To Get The Right One: A Useful Checklist
- Measure your current prop diameter
- Determine pitch
- Look at the direction of rotation
- Number of blades
- What is the construction material?
Three Blades Or Four?
The length of your boat is the key to this question. What length is she? If she is less than twenty four feet, then three blades will deliver the thrust required.
If on the other hand she is over twenty four feet, then four or more blades are necessary. Getting the right combination of pitch, blades and thrust are an important series of considerations to lengthening the life of your engine components.
Four blade bronze prop
By Getting the balance right, you benefit from:
- Lower vibrations
- Improved fuel economy
- A decrease in RPM
- More Efficient thrust
- Lower planing speed, means better fuel economy
Do Not Economize In Your Choice of boating propeller
Buying the cheapest now, will mean added expense later. Aluminum becomes fatigued over time, repairs weaken the structure.
Cavitation is more common too. Stainless Steel is five times tougher than Aluminum. Thinner blades mean less drag. Composite materials are forty percent lighter than aluminum and wont corrode either.
You can see that the choice of material defines how long your thrust performance will remain at it's optimum.
West Marine offer a range of boating propellers that suits all boaters including:
- Three blades
- Four blades
- Aluminum
- Stainless steel
- Composite
So don't delay. If you cannot see your choice below, then clicking on any product and you will go through to a greater selection.
Take advantage! West Marine are offering a 10% discount, when you spend over $100!
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Marine engines & marine parts here
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