I can't help but wonder why I always get passed by boats of the same size and smaller engines. I run my Westerbeak 13 @ recomended RPM (2400)and can't get more than 3or 4 knots out of her. Is it possible my 2 blade prop is to small? I would like to know if there is a larger prop I can use without overloading the engine. Thanks to anyone who can help. Regards, Bob
- Status
Gori folding 3 blade
Bob How long has it been since you had a look under your yacht? Sounds like you have something hanging off your prop or the keel. I changed my Standard 3 blade to a Gori Folding and now I get 6 knots at 2400rpm, Its made a huge difference. Thats my suggestion. Good luck.
Bob How long has it been since you had a look under your yacht? Sounds like you have something hanging off your prop or the keel. I changed my Standard 3 blade to a Gori Folding and now I get 6 knots at 2400rpm, Its made a huge difference. Thats my suggestion. Good luck.
Match Prop to Engine
Props should be matched to your engine size and horsepower for the best result. I recommend talking to a prop seller or your engine manufacturer.
Props should be matched to your engine size and horsepower for the best result. I recommend talking to a prop seller or your engine manufacturer.
What boat?
Your speed seems low, however what type of boat (and how much does it weigh?) How are you measureing your speed? I don't care who passes me under power, I do care when under sail. Russell
Your speed seems low, however what type of boat (and how much does it weigh?) How are you measureing your speed? I don't care who passes me under power, I do care when under sail. Russell
Perhaps it is the alternator
I have a friend who had the same problem. He switched to a 3 blade prop with no imrovement. It turned out to be that he had an oversized alternator. His speed came right up when he changed it out.
I have a friend who had the same problem. He switched to a 3 blade prop with no imrovement. It turned out to be that he had an oversized alternator. His speed came right up when he changed it out.
Problem with your power train
13 horses should drive a Bristol 27 well over 5 knots with a two bladed prop at cruising RPM, and light air/waves. Our old 8 horse Yanmar will drive our 7,000 pound '77 h27 with a 2 blade prop at 4.5 knots all day. So I suspect that you have a problem somewhere! If you are growing a big beard on your bottom, what is one possibility. If not, and if 2400 is the cruising RPM for your Westerbeke, and you are making those turns, then we have to focus on the prop. It may have the wrong diameter or pitch for your engine, or it may be seriously out of true. In any case you need to choose a good prop shop to do the numbers for you. If you are interested in a new prop, pick a shop that offers the prop(s) you are interested in. Retruing our prop, and adding a tip conversion added a half knot to our cruising speed at a cost of $175 at Alameda Prop. In any case, you will need to find out the pitch and diameter of your prop. The data was stamped on our prop, and can be read using a diving mask with the boat in the water. Visual inspection usually cannot detect alignment problems. So you will probably have to pull the prop and get it to the shop to really figure out what the problem is. David Lady Lillie
13 horses should drive a Bristol 27 well over 5 knots with a two bladed prop at cruising RPM, and light air/waves. Our old 8 horse Yanmar will drive our 7,000 pound '77 h27 with a 2 blade prop at 4.5 knots all day. So I suspect that you have a problem somewhere! If you are growing a big beard on your bottom, what is one possibility. If not, and if 2400 is the cruising RPM for your Westerbeke, and you are making those turns, then we have to focus on the prop. It may have the wrong diameter or pitch for your engine, or it may be seriously out of true. In any case you need to choose a good prop shop to do the numbers for you. If you are interested in a new prop, pick a shop that offers the prop(s) you are interested in. Retruing our prop, and adding a tip conversion added a half knot to our cruising speed at a cost of $175 at Alameda Prop. In any case, you will need to find out the pitch and diameter of your prop. The data was stamped on our prop, and can be read using a diving mask with the boat in the water. Visual inspection usually cannot detect alignment problems. So you will probably have to pull the prop and get it to the shop to really figure out what the problem is. David Lady Lillie
- Status