I am thinking of installing a 3 blade prop onto my Hunter Legend 37 to reduce vibration and increase overall motoring performance. I currently have a 2 blade prop and experience vibration at 1200 rpms and over 2300 rpms. In between everything runs smooth. Am I making a good choice.? Barrie
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Maybe, maybe not.
Barrie: The general concensus is that a 3 blade fixed prop adds a lot of drag. I must assume that you do NOT want to spend $1500-2000 on a folding/ feathering prop? I have posted a link to Bay Props several times. These guys do wonders with a non-slip-tip prop. Several sailors have reported more power, less prop wash and a lot less money. I would suggest that you check them out before you try some of the other alternatives. http://www.bay-ship.com/bayprp_nonsliptip.html Search the archives for some other advice on this subject.
Barrie: The general concensus is that a 3 blade fixed prop adds a lot of drag. I must assume that you do NOT want to spend $1500-2000 on a folding/ feathering prop? I have posted a link to Bay Props several times. These guys do wonders with a non-slip-tip prop. Several sailors have reported more power, less prop wash and a lot less money. I would suggest that you check them out before you try some of the other alternatives. http://www.bay-ship.com/bayprp_nonsliptip.html Search the archives for some other advice on this subject.
prop vibration
Barrie, Before you get a new prop,you need to fix what ever is causing the vibrations at the different rpm's you noted. Check engine aligment,shaft straightness and cutlass bearing.Then maybe consider the three blade prop. There is alway alot of info when this subject comes up about drag. So you need to answer what is really important to you. Does the extra drag of a fixed blade prop bother you and will it be a problem how you sail? (cruise or race)The drag is not so important if you cruise but a racer would rather not have any prop.Keep in mind this depends on you and your sailing vs you and your dollars. A new fixed 3 blade is less then $500 vs a new feathering/folding will cost $2000. So how important is the drag issue to you and your wallet? One other possible alternative is that Michagan has come out with a "SAILER" 3 blade fixed prop that is designed with less drag so it may be something you want to look at.However I think you need to fix you vibration problem first because the vibration will still be there (unless it is you current prop that is causing the vibrations) and then figure out what prop you want. Good Luck !
Barrie, Before you get a new prop,you need to fix what ever is causing the vibrations at the different rpm's you noted. Check engine aligment,shaft straightness and cutlass bearing.Then maybe consider the three blade prop. There is alway alot of info when this subject comes up about drag. So you need to answer what is really important to you. Does the extra drag of a fixed blade prop bother you and will it be a problem how you sail? (cruise or race)The drag is not so important if you cruise but a racer would rather not have any prop.Keep in mind this depends on you and your sailing vs you and your dollars. A new fixed 3 blade is less then $500 vs a new feathering/folding will cost $2000. So how important is the drag issue to you and your wallet? One other possible alternative is that Michagan has come out with a "SAILER" 3 blade fixed prop that is designed with less drag so it may be something you want to look at.However I think you need to fix you vibration problem first because the vibration will still be there (unless it is you current prop that is causing the vibrations) and then figure out what prop you want. Good Luck !
2-blade vibrations
There have been a number of reports on this site about vibration problems that seem to be amplified by or linked to a two-bladed prop. I have a three-blade and have never had the kind of vibration others report. Of course, there are many potential sources for vibration.
There have been a number of reports on this site about vibration problems that seem to be amplified by or linked to a two-bladed prop. I have a three-blade and have never had the kind of vibration others report. Of course, there are many potential sources for vibration.
vibrations
For what it's worth, I had similar vibrations with a two-blade that vanished with a three blade.
For what it's worth, I had similar vibrations with a two-blade that vanished with a three blade.
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