As
@Don S/V ILLusion has shared, seeking an “original manufacturer prop” on your boat will not assure you really anything. The boat is 29 years old. In that time, unless you know for certain, the engine, the transmission, even the shaft size may have been altered. Additionally the engineering of props has radically improved over that time period.
Having purchased a mature boat and refitted the prop (that I new the original prop was wrong due to the performance of the old prop) I can attest to this issue.
Here are the original and the new prop side by side.
Seek the help of a respected prop shop in your area. Of the two props above the dark old prop is called aMichigan Wheel design. It was considered a “great prop” in the late 70’s. Its performance sucked both for motoring and sailing. The shiny prop is a Campbell Sailor designed and built in BC Canada. It improved my boat’s motoring and sailing performance by 0.7 knots at 80% throttle providing better thrust, improved fuel consumption. I got 1.1 knots better sailing performance due to less drag and significantly less propeller noise while sailing.
Decide your sailing priorities.
- do you motor sometimes more than you sail
- Do you race or cruise and seek optimal sailing speed vs motoring speed
- Are you looking for a blend of such performance
Answers to these performance thoughts will guide you and the prop builder to the type of prop best fitted to your boat, based on the engine/transmission/ boat hull/ prop shaft.
It maybe a 2 two blade, a 3 blade, or one of the folding props, all with improved performance features for your boat and your sailing desires.
Welcome to SBO.
Good luck and fair winds.
