2 blade v 3 blade

Alan · Mar 3, 2011

Prop walk is just something you'll have to learn to live with, it's always gonna be there. You can use it to your advantage in many situations. Switching to a three bade prop is just going to be a bigger drag while sailing, your choice.

stephen Penny · Mar 3, 2011

I replaced my 24 year old end-of-life 2 blade folding prop with a three blade fixed sailor prop on my Hunter 31 last October. Cost was ~$600 and performs really well without performance loss or prop walk that can tell. Suggest putting the transmission in reverse to keep the prop from spinning while sailing.

John T1594 · Mar 4, 2011

3-blade Campbell sailor

I had the same boat with the same engine. I replaced the original 13X13 two blade with a 13X9X1 Campbell sailor thee blade. What a difference in performance and little to no vibration. I still had some prop walk in reverse but it was much improved over the two blade.

Bill1565 · Mar 4, 2011

I removed an old weary Martec folding 2 blade, and replaced it with a Campbell Sailer 3 blade. Still have prop walk, use it all the time in close quarters, but now boat will actually go backwards. If your slip is a problem, use a spring line, or learn to back in.

John T1594 · Mar 5, 2011

Cost of Campbell 3 blade

I purchased a Campbell 3 blade more than ten years ago so the price should be somewhat different by now, but I think I paid around $350.
You should contact the people at http://www.westbynorth.com/ and they will give you recommendation on the prop and a price quote. You will need information on the boat, engine and transmission.

Steve Dion · Mar 5, 2011

The Campbell props are now about $600. I think that they are actually a good deal when you compare them to a Michigan Sailor prop.

heart of gold · Mar 5, 2011

I installed one last March on my H34 to reduce vibration of the 2blade original. Huge difference, much smoother and better thrust. Still had propwalk in reverse but as others have mentioned, it is inevitable. I learned to use it, now it is an asset in close quarters. The price I paid was right around the 650.00 mark from West by North. I don't know how much difference in drag under sail there is as this is all I've really used.

bepilot · Mar 6, 2011

I purchased the recommended Campbell 3 blade and installed it on my 1990 H30 (Yanmar G20) when I bought the boat 2 years ago. On the acceptance sea trial the engine smoked and overheated. After several discussions with Norm at West By North I returned the prop and went back to the 2 blade. The engine and transmission were checked for proper ratios, engine power etc. The engine has run fine since then.

I never have found an answer as to why it didn't work on my boat. I have heard most sailors who have switched to that 3 blade prop have been very satisfied.

rfrye1 · Mar 10, 2011

Bepilot-
Sounds like you were OVER-propped. I am seriously considering a CS prop. Norm's original recommendation for my H376 is 17x11. RERAFT piped in and said his H376 couldnt reach WOT with 17x11, so he ended up with 16x10. Norm has clients with H376's that can get hullspeed (7.6kt) @ 2800-2900rpm with 17x11. I mentioned RERAFT's comments and Norm's comeback is to reduce to a 16x11. With that size I should be able to achieve WOT.
So FWIW, I will decide soon. Motoring is a fact of life in San Diego/So Cal. 3-blade will be more effienient.
Bob

Ken13559 · Mar 11, 2011

When I got my 3-blade CSP 3yrs+ ago, Norm gave me a 14"Dx8"P. WOT at best was 2800rpm i.s.o. 3400rpm. Pushing it higher gets me black smoke. He re-pitch it to 6"P and I could reach 3400rpm easily and 3650 when pressed hard. No black smoke. I've a Yanmar 2GM20F & H326.

Maine Sail · Jun 25, 2011

Mike8221 said:
I have a 1980 H30, a Yanmar 2QM15 with a 2 blade prop. My problem like most, is the port walk whenever I put it in reverse to back out of the slip. I am considering going to a 3 blade (Campbell) prop. Any comments would be welcome regarding the overall performance and cost of a new 3 blade prop.
Mike
Bay City, MI
s/v Dream Chaser

You'll still have prop walk but the CS is minimally better than a Michigan Sailor....

Bill1565 · Jun 25, 2011

I'd be lost without prop walk. I am happy with my 3blade CS. I can turn my 37 footer in 40 feet (but only to starbord). There was a recent thread about getting the boat moving in reverse so you can steer. Good discussion about practicing in open water till you can do figure 8's in reverse.

Richard Bryer · Jun 25, 2011

I just replace the original 15X12 2 blade with a new shaft and a 14X9 CS. I am still fighting a vibration but I need to re-check the alignment now that the boat is in the water. I dio find that the boat handles way better- backs straighter, accelerates much quicker, and stops much better without that sidwards kick to the left (when I didnt want it!). I am finding that I am over pitched tho- WOT is 2500rpm and speed is 6.7 (gps) or so. I have to do some accurate numbers on calm water before I call Norm, but 2500 with the throttle against the stop and too much smoke is not good. I was able to do just over 6 knots with the rpm at 2700 on the tach with the old 2 blade and WOT was 3400.

2 blade v 3 blade

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