What differences will I experience? Speed, handling, Fuel consumption, lower revolutions? What do folks think. As always your responses are appreciated.
A little further down the thread he pointed out the 3 blade would be a folder, so it would be an improvement in sailing speed, not a loss.assuming your current prop is properly sized you will not experience any increase in speed; you will experience a reduction in prop walk with better handling in close quarters and perhaps smoother acceleration. Under sail the 3 blade prop will suffer a significant increase in drag over its 2 blade counterpart. The loss of speed due to enhanced drag could approach 1/2 knot. If both props are properly sized you should not experience any change in fuel consumption. Is the loss of sailing speed worth the better and smoother handling in close quarters? Your call.
The strut on an O’Day 30 is about 1/4” thick; way less than the prop itself. I don’t think there’s much to be gained trying to hide the prop behind it. Certainly not as much as with a skeg.If you wish to reduce drag more, mark the shaft to align the two-blade vertically behind the strut (or skeg).
It’s a slight improvement over leaving the blades a-thwarts, people contend. And yes, I know only the top blade gets any protection at all. I did this routinely when racing my Pearson 30. However, come to think of it now, I believe the prop would be fwd of a skeg. (I’ve corrected above.)The strut on an O’Day 30 is about 1/4” thick; way less than the prop itself. I don’t think there’s much to be gained trying to hide the prop behind it. Certainly not as much as with a skeg.