We discovered just how easily the wrong sailboat prop can slow you down.
Every time we haul SY Esper, Jamie services our feathering Max-Prop, but this was the first time in 17 years that we had it professionally tuned. And you won’t believe what we found.
Yes, it’s boat maintenance time again!
When it comes to a happy sailboat, we all know that everything needs to be perfect. And for a good day of sailing, the wind, waves, sails, and of course, the prop need to be just right. Why the prop? Because in the real world you’re more than likely going to be motoring for part (most?) of the time.
Sailboat props come in different sizes and shapes, each designed to suit a specific type of boat. Use the wrong propeller, or one that is damaged, and you can slow down your sailboat, leading to poor performance and reduced efficiency.
About Sailboat Props
When it comes to sailboat propellers, there are several factors to consider, including size, pitch, and the number of blades. The prop’s size and pitch are essential to ensure that it matches your sailboat’s engine and gear ratio. The number of blades is also a crucial factor as it affects the propeller’s efficiency.
How the Wrong Propeller Affects Your Sailboat’s Performance
The wrong sailboat prop can significantly affect your sailboat’s speed, and it can lead to poor performance and reduced efficiency. And apart from affecting the sailboat’s speed, the wrong prop can also affect its performance.
A prop that’s too small will cause your engine to work harder, leading to increased fuel consumption and engine wear. If it’s too large, the engine won’t reach its maximum RPM, leading to poor performance and reduced efficiency.
Choosing the Right Prop
You should really consult your boat’s manufacturer or a professional propeller tech to find out if you need to replace or improve your current prop. They’ll look at your sailboat’s weight, engine size, and gear ratio. And will consider the type of sailing you’ll be doing, the weight of your boat, and the engine’s horsepower. The propeller’s pitch, diameter, and the number of blades are also crucial factors.
How to Tell if You Have the Wrong Propeller
If you suspect that you have the wrong propeller, there are several signs that you can look out for:
- reduced speed and poor performance
- your engine is working harder than usual
- your fuel consumption is increasing
- there is a vibration or noise coming from the prop/shaft/engine
How often should you replace a sailboat prop?
The lifespan of a propeller depends on several factors, including the material it is made from, how often it is used, and how well it is maintained. A well-maintained propeller can last for several years, but it may need to be replaced if it becomes damaged or worn out.
Service it regularly, and if it’s a feathering prop like ours, get it tuned every five or six years.
We’re no longer amazed that after all this time, we’re still learning about sailing and sailboats!
Peace and fair winds!
Liz and Jamie
You can watch how we identified and rectified our sailboat prop problem here or on YouTube.
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Hi Liz and Jamie,
Firstly, I want to say how much I enjoy your unvarnished presentation of the cruising life. I wish I was financially able to contribute to you, but as a pensioner, a boat owner refitting my boat (home) any money I have flies out the door on a depressingly regular basis.
I have a background in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering so I generally know the pointy end from the blunt end of a boat.
I have tried to convey my sixty odd years of boating experience into a book, writing somewhat tongue in cheek and am hopeful that once I have completed the refit, I will pursue the publication of same. It is called “Sixty Years all at Sea” so you get my drift.
Regarding propellers, I had an unfortunate experience during my design phase when I was designing the prop for a fishing boat. Stupidly (being rushed) I looked up the offending boat’s engine specs and saw horsepower and designed the prop to reflect what I though would be the output. Much to my, and the client’s dismay the engine appeared to be extremely sluggish not achieving the desired RPM. After much head scratching I realised that the horsepower used was only an intermittent figure and not continuous and I should have de-rated the power by some twenty percent.
This salutary lesson was certainly not forgotten in subsequent designs.
I have no experience in designing props such as yours or any other of the folding, feathering types, but experience would tell me that there should be some reduction in efficiency due to the compromise of blade design ( I stand corrected on this).
To cut a long story short (a failing of mine I am told) I now look at the torque curves of the engine and regard the top of this curve as the optimum operational RPM at which to operate. Attached to the same curves are the horsepower at that RPM. I have found that using the combination of those two figures gives me the basis of my prop design.
Additionally a simple explanation I have found useful is “big wheel low pitch equals high thrust”. “Small wheel high pitch equals speed”.
As you know everything associated with boats is a compromise and as us sailors are, in the main, confined to the hull speed of a displacement vessel our prop calculations should reflect both the horsepower, prop diameter and pitch to reflect that fact.
I apologise for the length of my message to you and hope that you find some use from what I have outlined.
It would be great if you were to visit Australia and in particular Port Lincoln, South Australia. A great cruising area and comfortable climate. Meeting you both would be a real highlight for me.
Fair Winds,
Frank Rogers
SV Escapade II