H27 Prop Suggestions

[Doug Buerkle]

My Hunter 27' 1982 Shallow Draft with Yamar 1GM was equiped (as purchased) with a Three Blade 12 x 10 prop.Both the Surveyor and I knew this wasn't standard, but I assumed the previous owner knew something we didn't.I decided to keep the prop on for this season believing that reverse performance would be better than a 2 blade. The prop in reverse walks so badly that I can't back the boat out of the slip under power. Forward performance is also lacking keeping the Yamar at 2500-rpm max. Forward speed tops out at 3.5 knots and fleeing Floyd's wrath with 20 to 30 knot head wind and 2 foot waves head on, speed was reduced to 1 or 1.5 knots. Not something I care to repeat. I am looking for recommendations on what type of prop to buy for next season.I know that a 2 blade 13x9 is standard.What type of prop are you using and what performance does this prop provide?

 

[Jon Zaimes]

something amiss

Our '80 Hunter 27 came with a 3-blade prop, though I don't know what size. The two-blade prop is still aboard, so I assume the previous owner was satisfied the 3-blade was better. I've never used the 2-blade on it. Ours easily does about 5.5 knots, cruising at 3400 rpm. We also have the 1GM (a 1990 refit).Ours does "walk" hard to port in reverse, but we use this to advantage to back into our slip.Jon Zaimes"Airwaves" on the Choptank River, Cambridge, Md.

 

[TOM.M.]

THEY ALL SUCK!!!

On my 1982/83 Hunter 27' w/ Yanmar one lunger, I have a 12" dia. & 12 pitch, which came standard, it performs adiquatly, but in a 4 to 6 knot current I'm not going anywhere, I'd like to have a Yanmar 2 lunger, but that creates another set of problems, According to the professionals, a three blade prop, will put excessive loads on this little engine, displaying poor performance and pumping out black smoke, I would suggest shopping for a 12" dia. with a 12 to 14 pitch this will give you the push you need without overloading the engine.

 

[Warren Renninger]

13 x 9

Friend with Yanmar 1gm used 13x9 and it is just right. Gets hull speed of 6.2 on GPS. I have a 10hp Nanni in a H27 and we do about the same speed. The reverse will never change. Plan on a 45 degree turn in reverse or go very, very, very slow until rudder can act.

 

[Dick Litchfield]

Original 13X10 2-blade

My '81 h27 came with 13X10 two blade as original equipment. Performance was merely OK at best with the 1GM Yanmar. I sought the advise of a prop shop, Wildcat Propellers, in Chesapeake VA. They recommended a 3-blade 12X10. I purchased a Austral Sailor model from them. The prop is made in Austrialia and has narrower blades than most three blades (looks almost like a three blade airplane prop). Motoring performance is much improved and there seems to be no additional drag when under sail. Backing is much easier even though there is still a little crab to port, but it's not as bad as with the 2 blade. Talk to a prop specialist!