We are interested in the experience of sailors who have changed their 2-blade prop for an 3 blade prop. Last year we bought an Hunter 30 from 1993 with an Yanmarmotor type 2GM20F. We are sailing on the North Sea, the Dutch lakes , but also have to cross small canals and offen have to manouvre in little harbours. We like to know the (dis)advances. We also like to know what kind of proppeler we need.
Replace my 2-blade-prop for an 3-blade prop
- Thread starter jbroek
- Start date
- Status
can o worms on this site
You will get so many opinions on this topic but I used a campbell sailor pro. And love it! on my H-31. They will help you figure out the correct prop size and pitch. Check link.
You will get so many opinions on this topic but I used a campbell sailor pro. And love it! on my H-31. They will help you figure out the correct prop size and pitch. Check link.
3 Blade prop
Heeg, I replaced my 2 bladed prop with a 3 bladed prop last year. What a great improvement. First, my low end vibrations disappeared. Boat performance (speed under power) improved quite noticeable in the low RPM range. My speed with the 3 blade at 1800 RPM'S equals my previous speed with the 2 blade at 2200 RPM. I installed a "Michigan Sailor" prop on my Hunter Legend 37. Check out their web site for prop recommendations for your model of boat. Good luck. Barrie
Heeg, I replaced my 2 bladed prop with a 3 bladed prop last year. What a great improvement. First, my low end vibrations disappeared. Boat performance (speed under power) improved quite noticeable in the low RPM range. My speed with the 3 blade at 1800 RPM'S equals my previous speed with the 2 blade at 2200 RPM. I installed a "Michigan Sailor" prop on my Hunter Legend 37. Check out their web site for prop recommendations for your model of boat. Good luck. Barrie
2/3 Bladed Prop.
A little faster under engine but a lot slower under sail. A feathering prop is best if you can afford it. Are you a member of the Netherlands Owners Association please? If so the UK Legend Owners Association is trying to make contact. My e-mail is donalex@compuserve.com
A little faster under engine but a lot slower under sail. A feathering prop is best if you can afford it. Are you a member of the Netherlands Owners Association please? If so the UK Legend Owners Association is trying to make contact. My e-mail is donalex@compuserve.com
Donalex is right!
There is no argument that a fixed 3 blade will out perform a fixed 2 blade. The problem is that the increased motoring performance comes with a decrease in sailing performance. If sailing performance and weather helm don't matter to you, then buy a 3 blade. If, however they do matter to you then you need to consider a feathering 2 blade. The feathering prop has great performance when engaged(both forward and particularly reverse), yet sails better than any fixed blade.
There is no argument that a fixed 3 blade will out perform a fixed 2 blade. The problem is that the increased motoring performance comes with a decrease in sailing performance. If sailing performance and weather helm don't matter to you, then buy a 3 blade. If, however they do matter to you then you need to consider a feathering 2 blade. The feathering prop has great performance when engaged(both forward and particularly reverse), yet sails better than any fixed blade.
You Can Buy A Three Blade Folding
I bought a two blade Martec Mark IV for our 30T. We race our boat on Wednesday nights. A two blade fixed is like draging two hands in the water behind the boat. A three blade would be one more hand. I know they make three blade folding props. I think they will be less than a feathering prop. Check out the link below.
I bought a two blade Martec Mark IV for our 30T. We race our boat on Wednesday nights. A two blade fixed is like draging two hands in the water behind the boat. A three blade would be one more hand. I know they make three blade folding props. I think they will be less than a feathering prop. Check out the link below.
tried both on a Hunter 29.5
With the standard 2-blade prop my 96 Hunter 29.5 never went above 6 knots under sail and would be slowed considerably when under power by sharp choppy water. She also had some serious prop-walk to port in reverse. I put a fixed 3-blade prop on her which, except for prop-walk, improved powered performance, especially in choppy water, but dropped maximum speed under sail to just barely over 5 knots. I then switched to a major brand 3-blade feathering prop which gives me 6.5 knots maximum under power or sail, very little prop-walk, and little or no loss of progress under power into chop. And it performs much better in reverse than either of the fixed props did which makes docking in tight situations a lot easier.
With the standard 2-blade prop my 96 Hunter 29.5 never went above 6 knots under sail and would be slowed considerably when under power by sharp choppy water. She also had some serious prop-walk to port in reverse. I put a fixed 3-blade prop on her which, except for prop-walk, improved powered performance, especially in choppy water, but dropped maximum speed under sail to just barely over 5 knots. I then switched to a major brand 3-blade feathering prop which gives me 6.5 knots maximum under power or sail, very little prop-walk, and little or no loss of progress under power into chop. And it performs much better in reverse than either of the fixed props did which makes docking in tight situations a lot easier.
Three blade
Jim I am going to order a cambel three blade. It appears to alomost the same area as the old two blade. Does it slow your sailing speed very much? I have an 84 31 foot. New to me just had it out 3 times last season it's faster then I thought and I don't want to slow it too much.
Jim I am going to order a cambel three blade. It appears to alomost the same area as the old two blade. Does it slow your sailing speed very much? I have an 84 31 foot. New to me just had it out 3 times last season it's faster then I thought and I don't want to slow it too much.
- Status