I'm considering replacing my 3-blade fixed prop with a feathering prop. Does anybody have experience with the performance of these props on a 37,5? The main motivation is to get a little more speed for our club races.
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Not added speed, but...
By changing to a feathering or folding prop from a fixed, you will not gain speed. What you will result is less drag, which will translate to better accelleration and reaching speed easier in light air. BTW, it made a big difference on my boat when I changed from a 2-bladed fixed to a folding. It is well worth the change for racing, and will more than compensate for the loss of 6-9 seconds in your rating. Steve
By changing to a feathering or folding prop from a fixed, you will not gain speed. What you will result is less drag, which will translate to better accelleration and reaching speed easier in light air. BTW, it made a big difference on my boat when I changed from a 2-bladed fixed to a folding. It is well worth the change for racing, and will more than compensate for the loss of 6-9 seconds in your rating. Steve
I'll buy your 3 blade!
If you make the change. I have the original 2 blade and the propwalk in reverse drives me mad. Seriously, if you want to sell it let me know. dcdon@hotmail.com
If you make the change. I have the original 2 blade and the propwalk in reverse drives me mad. Seriously, if you want to sell it let me know. dcdon@hotmail.com
Feathering Prop = Performance!
The feathering prop will definitely add some speed and the penalty is well worth it. Not only will your boat go faster on all points of sail but it will point higher too. If you've notices that you've had difficulty pointing as high as some of the other boats the feathering prop will definitely close the gap. You'll notice this especially in drifters - with the fixed blade the boat tends to go sizeways. And.... the extra speed will be helpful when you're out cruising! Performance wise it's like stepping up from a 110 to a 150 and without doing a sail change! My experience is with a two-blade Max-Prop on a H-35 and it's been very positive.
The feathering prop will definitely add some speed and the penalty is well worth it. Not only will your boat go faster on all points of sail but it will point higher too. If you've notices that you've had difficulty pointing as high as some of the other boats the feathering prop will definitely close the gap. You'll notice this especially in drifters - with the fixed blade the boat tends to go sizeways. And.... the extra speed will be helpful when you're out cruising! Performance wise it's like stepping up from a 110 to a 150 and without doing a sail change! My experience is with a two-blade Max-Prop on a H-35 and it's been very positive.
reduction of drag
Hello Ole, You will see a reduction of drag, which relates to an apx. average increase of obtainable boat speed by as much as 15% in a comparable given range of wind speeds. The less the wind the greater the % increase and the higher the wind speed the less % increase. In very light winds and light speed conditions you could see a whopping 50%. As the vessel approaches the “hull speed” the % difference could be 0%. One topic that is often forgotten is that with a low drag prop your ability to tack the boat with speed increases greatly. You could see an added increase in pointing ability due to the reduction of disturbed water over the face of the rudder using a low drag prop as well. You would find most boat owners attempting to speed up a boat will change the prop out before changing out sails. Good luck, Kevin
Hello Ole, You will see a reduction of drag, which relates to an apx. average increase of obtainable boat speed by as much as 15% in a comparable given range of wind speeds. The less the wind the greater the % increase and the higher the wind speed the less % increase. In very light winds and light speed conditions you could see a whopping 50%. As the vessel approaches the “hull speed” the % difference could be 0%. One topic that is often forgotten is that with a low drag prop your ability to tack the boat with speed increases greatly. You could see an added increase in pointing ability due to the reduction of disturbed water over the face of the rudder using a low drag prop as well. You would find most boat owners attempting to speed up a boat will change the prop out before changing out sails. Good luck, Kevin
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