od 30 owner change to 3 blade prop?? help

[mark stevens]

I own 1982 oday 30 with a universal 16hp with a 2 blade prop. I always feel under powered and would like to see if changing to a 3 blade prop would help. by using the formula in Sail magazine Feb. I come up with 14" diam. prop. unfortunately I don't know the pitch.Has anyone encountered the same problem and can you tell me what solution worked for you.thanksmark

 

[hbdement@pdq.net]

Re-3 blade prop- get water skis too

That was the first thing I changed when I bought an O'28 with an 11 hp Universal. The difference was amazing. Maybe I didn't need skis, but I picked up a few knots and it felt a lot better on the 45 minute run to Galveston Bay from the marina. I don't have a knot meter so I can fantasize about the difference. I didn't know anything about the design I needed so I let the local propeller shop use their guides. These people do props for tugs etc on the Houston Ship Channel, so the guy didn't even blink when I asked for help. He just asked my sailboat length and hp and brought one out. It fit fine and has worked great for 10 years. Baumann Marine Service (propeller specialist) Houston 713-962-6908)

 

[Manny Moniz]

Three blade prop

Look up the Yanmar web site. There you will find a guide table for two to three blade replacement. Their general rule seems to be when going from a two to a three blade prop, go down one inch in diameter and keep the same pitch.

 

[H.Baqueri]

3-Bladed Prop

I have a 1985 O'Day 31 with a Universal 18 motor. I installed a 14" Dia./7 degree pitch on a Martech Variable prop.Except for the high price, this was the best thing we did for our boat.