I would like to hear from folks that have a 1992 Hunter 37.5 and have gone from a 2 bladed prop to a 3 bladed prop. What are issues to consider? What works?
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That would be me
John, when I bought my 1992 37.5 three years ago, it came with a two-blade Max Prop mounted and a fixed pitch two-blade on board as a spare. The surveyor noted prop vibration as did we. He recommended sending the Max Prop to PYI for balancing and getting the shaft aligned. We did both. While the Max Prop was gone we used the fixed pitch with only marginal improvement. We spent the next two years in frustrating and expensive attempts to resolve the problem. PYI recommended replacing the two blade with a three blade and gave us a generous trade in on the two blade and a discount on the three blade. We made the change last spring and like magic the vibration is gone. I'm not sure what is motivating your possible change, but this was our experience. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
John, when I bought my 1992 37.5 three years ago, it came with a two-blade Max Prop mounted and a fixed pitch two-blade on board as a spare. The surveyor noted prop vibration as did we. He recommended sending the Max Prop to PYI for balancing and getting the shaft aligned. We did both. While the Max Prop was gone we used the fixed pitch with only marginal improvement. We spent the next two years in frustrating and expensive attempts to resolve the problem. PYI recommended replacing the two blade with a three blade and gave us a generous trade in on the two blade and a discount on the three blade. We made the change last spring and like magic the vibration is gone. I'm not sure what is motivating your possible change, but this was our experience. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
Prop Response
Gary Wyngarden, You responded to my inquiry regarding the possible prop change on my 92 Hunter 37.5. I haven't had vibration problems, but I'm looking for a little more power in the swells and head winds. Also, I noticed your from Orcas Island Washington. I have booked a 1st time charger out of Anacortes for this September and would very much appreciate some local first hand knowledge if you wouldn't mind. My email address is: jmable@comcast.net. Thanks, John
Gary Wyngarden, You responded to my inquiry regarding the possible prop change on my 92 Hunter 37.5. I haven't had vibration problems, but I'm looking for a little more power in the swells and head winds. Also, I noticed your from Orcas Island Washington. I have booked a 1st time charger out of Anacortes for this September and would very much appreciate some local first hand knowledge if you wouldn't mind. My email address is: jmable@comcast.net. Thanks, John
three blade props
I changed from two blade fixed to a three blade fixed on a Hunter 336. I think it was a great move and would not hesitate to change any two blade for a three. In addition to "smoothing" things out, engine is quieter, less (read none)vibrations and can run engine sightly slower while still getting same performance. You will get more "punch" in a head wind and heavy seas. Will give you move "thrust" when docking. A good prop shop will be able to run your numbers and get the correct size and pitch for your boat. Any prop walk you now have you will still have an may even be slightly increased but I did not find this a bad thing as at my dock prop walk helped in getting out of the slip. There is lots on info in the archives about two to three blades and advantages vs. disadvantages and all the talk about loss of performance. Not to restart the whole two/three blade performance thing unless you are a racer or a speed/performance fanatic a fixed prop will be fine and save you thousands over a feathering or folding prop. Expect to spend two to three thousand for a folding or feathering prop vs. six to seven hundred for a fixed. Just my two cents worth.
I changed from two blade fixed to a three blade fixed on a Hunter 336. I think it was a great move and would not hesitate to change any two blade for a three. In addition to "smoothing" things out, engine is quieter, less (read none)vibrations and can run engine sightly slower while still getting same performance. You will get more "punch" in a head wind and heavy seas. Will give you move "thrust" when docking. A good prop shop will be able to run your numbers and get the correct size and pitch for your boat. Any prop walk you now have you will still have an may even be slightly increased but I did not find this a bad thing as at my dock prop walk helped in getting out of the slip. There is lots on info in the archives about two to three blades and advantages vs. disadvantages and all the talk about loss of performance. Not to restart the whole two/three blade performance thing unless you are a racer or a speed/performance fanatic a fixed prop will be fine and save you thousands over a feathering or folding prop. Expect to spend two to three thousand for a folding or feathering prop vs. six to seven hundred for a fixed. Just my two cents worth.
I changed from a 2 blade feathering
I changed about 3 years ago from a 2 blade feathering to a 3 blade Campbell Sailor propeller on my 1980 H33. I didn't notice any noticable change in sailing performance, but did notice an increased ability to power through waves and against the wind, also seemed to run smoother with less vibration and have less prop walk...although using the prop walk to dock and manuver had become something I was used to, so I had to relearn about that. I think it was a characteristic of the type of feathering prop I replaced, so this probably isn't true of all 3 blade props, but the 3 blade also seemed to have slightly less reverse thrust, not a problem, just had to relearn characteristics. Check out the Campbell Sailor web site, they have lots of information and types of propellors, and the Campbell Sailor propellers seem to work well for a lot of people who want a fixed 3 blade...look in the archives on this site for more experiences.. http://www.westbynorth.com/
I changed about 3 years ago from a 2 blade feathering to a 3 blade Campbell Sailor propeller on my 1980 H33. I didn't notice any noticable change in sailing performance, but did notice an increased ability to power through waves and against the wind, also seemed to run smoother with less vibration and have less prop walk...although using the prop walk to dock and manuver had become something I was used to, so I had to relearn about that. I think it was a characteristic of the type of feathering prop I replaced, so this probably isn't true of all 3 blade props, but the 3 blade also seemed to have slightly less reverse thrust, not a problem, just had to relearn characteristics. Check out the Campbell Sailor web site, they have lots of information and types of propellors, and the Campbell Sailor propellers seem to work well for a lot of people who want a fixed 3 blade...look in the archives on this site for more experiences.. http://www.westbynorth.com/
Prop Change
My neighbor switched from a fixed 2 blade to a fixed three blade Prop. Both props pushed the boat at hull speed. Both props had prop wash especially in reverse. He spent a ton of money, made the boat sail slower due to more drag and improved nothing. If it ain't broke don't FIX IT!
My neighbor switched from a fixed 2 blade to a fixed three blade Prop. Both props pushed the boat at hull speed. Both props had prop wash especially in reverse. He spent a ton of money, made the boat sail slower due to more drag and improved nothing. If it ain't broke don't FIX IT!
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