New prop for a 31

[Bill]

I just bought a 1984 hunter 31. The boat is in great shape, sails like a dream is faster then I thought but one of the things that needs attention is the prop a two blade 14" as owners of 31s know the boat backs for shall we say crap! I was thinking of going to a two or three blade folding prop. There was one I saw at the Annaplois boat show that was priced right but only came in 15". Here are the questions. First does anyone have any recomendations. Second can you put a 15" prop on a 31 foot maybe with a different pitch. The boat has a 13 horse Yanmar. I really don't want to go with a three blade fixed, to much drag.

 

[Steve Dion]

I would agree.

Bill:I would agree that you do NOT want a 3 bladed fixed. We currently have a 2 blade CDI composite prop. It backs pretty good.I had my old 2 blade 15" reworked (non-slip tip) by Bay Props in Alameda, CA. We have not installed it yet, but plan to before spring. I would suggest that you contact them about a prop and see what they recommend. www.bay-ship.com/bayprp_nonsliptip.html

 

[Jim]

check out this site

I bought a 3 bladed fixed Cambell Sailor prop. Im very happy with it. But they have others.

 

[Bill]

Thanks

Thanks Jim Checking out these props. Does it slow the boat much? According to the MIT charts it is a few pounds more then the two blade I already have. How about in a head wind etc, Looking forward to your reply.

 

[Jim]

love my 3 blade

Well you will see many many different opinions on props. First off I didn't want a folding prop, i am only a casual racer and didn't care if i loose a little speed. I have sailed my boat up to 7.5 knots in heavy wind and over 4 knots in very light 5 - 7 knot winds with the 3 blade so im not sure how much speed I have lost. I wanted a fixed blade since there are no moving parts. I wanted a prop that would give me good head way in all conditions. I have definitely gained some thrust over the standard two blade fixed that I had. I have no problem powering into a heavy head wind and rough seas. And I do seem to have more control in reverse. So all and all I am really happy with my decision. This is my 2 cents. I have attached a photo. By the way putting bottom paint on it doesn't help!!

 

[Bill]

Thanks again

We will be pulling the boat soon and I will make some sort of decision by spring. I just saw that no slip tip design and it looks intresting. Maybe I can save a few bucks retro fitting my two blade. Thanks again for your help have a great holiday season. For us it is time to hit the slopes.