2 blade to 3 blade prop

[Dave Mauney]

I have an O'Day 35 with the original 2 blade prop. I am looking for a little more power in heavy weather motoring and a reduction in prop walk in reverse. I have been looking at feathering props. I am thinking about just going from 2 blade to a fixed 3 blade larger area blade fixed prop. We cruse and don't race. I wonder if the reduction in speed under sail would really be noticable. We are usually about 6kn close hauled in 15kn wind now. Second the prop walk in reverse is very severe. I wondered if this might be significantly reduced with a 3 blade. The prop we have on her now is a 16" with a 9" pitch.ThanksDaves/v DAMWEGAS

 

[Bob Pugh]

I just finished looking at the various 3 blade props for my Hunter 380. You can go to the WestbyNorth.com web site for the Cambell Sailer type of prop. Also, Kevin Woody @ PYI Inc.(kwoody@pyiinc.com) was very helpful on a Max-prop (feathering) type. There is also the standard Michigan type available at the various marine stores. I hope this helps.

 

[Kevin]

More impact then you think.

Hello Dave,Thanks for your note. The three blade will help to increase the motoring efficiency by apx. 30 %. This increase will help the vessel maintain its obtainable speed when confronted with heavy winds or seas. You should also see a reduction of walking to either port or starboard when going astern. Your sailing speed will decrease apx. ¼ to ½ knot more then it is currently being reduced by the two blade. You may also see a reduction in ability of pointing by a degree or two. As a side note more then 80 % of feathering propellers sold are three blades and almost all of these are equipped on a cruising style boats. It may come to you as a surprise but the efficiency increase, of going to a low drag prop, actually has a greater impact on the bigger cruising boat then the ULDBs. Hope this helps, Kevin L. Woody