Does anybody know if the standard 2002 Hunter 326 came with a two or a three-blade prop? My boat struggles to get to 6 mph even when I'm pushing the throttle pretty hard on our inland lake and no indication of any engine problems. Wondering if it could be the best a two-blade prop and my Yanmar 2GM20F can achieve and would I make a little better headway with a three-blade version. What are the cons of changing it out.
a different prop
- Thread starter Rick R
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Rick you will get more drag from the fixed 3 bladed prop which will reduce your sailing speed up to 1kt. Unless you buy a folding blade. Not certain about prop walk but I have none with my folding 3 blade. You definitely will get better speed from a 3 blade, folding or not. Better braking in reverse as well. However the 3 blade will cost more.
You could look at a different pitch for a 2 blade but then you start to impact the engine performance and possibly vibration and noise.
We had a 3 blade fixed prop on our 33 and it had a "whine" at 5 kts when we sailed. Not before or after. The 3 blade Variprop we have on our boat right now it fantastic. Good braking in reverse, little drag and great speed in forward.
A trade off!
Rick:
Do not get trapped into thinking that a three blade prop is going to give you more speed. While it can/probably will make a difference if you are sailing against a current choppy seas, I doubt you will not get what you are looking for without a professional prop shop sizing one for you.
I would suggest that you contact Norm at West by North (http://www.westbynorth.com/) and speak with them. If you want to save some money you may be able to find a prop shop that has a used prop that they can professionally size for your engine/transmission.
One of the fellow sailors in our harbor had a similar issue to yours. He had a new engine installed and the Yanmar guys put in too small of a prop. He was not able to keep up with the rest of the fleet. Once he got that new Campbell he is the leader of the pack. The nice thing about the Campbell is they are reasonably priced and provide a good compromise between motoring and sailing.
Do not get trapped into thinking that a three blade prop is going to give you more speed. While it can/probably will make a difference if you are sailing against a current choppy seas, I doubt you will not get what you are looking for without a professional prop shop sizing one for you.
I would suggest that you contact Norm at West by North (http://www.westbynorth.com/) and speak with them. If you want to save some money you may be able to find a prop shop that has a used prop that they can professionally size for your engine/transmission.
One of the fellow sailors in our harbor had a similar issue to yours. He had a new engine installed and the Yanmar guys put in too small of a prop. He was not able to keep up with the rest of the fleet. Once he got that new Campbell he is the leader of the pack. The nice thing about the Campbell is they are reasonably priced and provide a good compromise between motoring and sailing.
I just switched out a 2 blade fixed prop for a 3 blade feathering Max prop. What a difference it made. You will get about a 1/3 more power in chop and wind and the blades feather out when sailing, so no drag there. Reversing is a breeze and I find that managing the prop walk by using reverse then taking out of gear etc. works very well. There is a cost to the Max prop of about $2750 (new) but you can also get then rebuilt for about 1/3 less. I wouldn't ever go back to a fixed prop.Rick R said:
My 2002 h326 came with 2GM20F and a stock 2-blade 15"D x 10"P although the spec says 12". It has adequate power, able to hit 3600 rpm at WOT. However, vibration is a killer. I changed it to Campbell Sailor 3-blade 14"D x 6"P and it was great. Very smooth. Not satisfied with some drag, I changed that to 2-blade 15"D x 12"P Flex-O-Fold. Good power but over pitch and vibration. A 15"D x 10"P would be great. Finally changed that to 3-blade Kiwi Prop 16"D x 18deg. Works great. Very smooth. Wish I have a 3YM30. That'll be somethin.
Best choice
The advantages are too numerous to mention.
I had this on my 40.5, and it was without question a no-brainer.
It's a great investment which you will appreciate every time you turn the engine key.
Close your eyes and write the cheque for a 3 blade Maxprop.
The advantages are too numerous to mention.
I had this on my 40.5, and it was without question a no-brainer.
It's a great investment which you will appreciate every time you turn the engine key.
if props are based on equal technology and quality, a two blade is faster, a three blade is slower. Three blade has less vibration, but more low rpm thrust. Quality and technology have a lot more to do with props than the number of blades. A good three blade will outrun a poor quality two blade, but a good two blade will run away from a good three blade.
If I were a motor sailor/long range cruiser, I would chose the best performing two blade. Actually I would probably chose the best two blade regardless. Less to fix, most efficient, just have to tolerate the noise.
If I were a motor sailor/long range cruiser, I would chose the best performing two blade. Actually I would probably chose the best two blade regardless. Less to fix, most efficient, just have to tolerate the noise.
¥ou will have more prop walk and more drag with a three blade.
When I got my new engine (3gm/20) I put a Perfect Pitch prop on it, and it pushes the boat extremely well. I would pay a certified Yanmar engine technician for an hour's checkup before going to the expense of replacing your prop. Diesels are hard to kill but they can slow down over the years.
I realise that, albiet too late. When on my friend's Maxi95 with 3ym30 and 2-blade Maxprop. No vibration!!! ... I gonna get me that engine.... or prop? I've have to make sure you're not around when I write that check. Don't want you to fill in your name when I closed my eyes.
The 326 with the 2GM20F 18HP auxiliary is definitely underpowered and it is not caused by the prop. Attaining and maintaining a speed of 6 knots under power is not within the realm of the craft.
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