Sizing
of Propellers
By Tom Assenmacher
(SHEARWATER 1975 MK-II Yawl)
June 28,
2011
Visits since 6/28/2011
We recently received the
following correspondence with Jim Larkin
of
“…..I am replacing the prop on my ALBERG 37 hull # 247. It had a 13x14 machine pitch 3 blade prop which may have been the wrong prop for my 2003 Volvo Diesel engine, possibly leading to the failure of my transmission . I have replaced the transmission and would appreciate any information which would correctly guide me in selecting the correct replacement prop?...”.
(Ed.
Note: Having gone through this process several times during our
re-engining/transmission failures/transmission replacements, the following are
our comments and discussion regarding Jim’s question. – the following
discussion is provided for information only, and should NOT be construed as the
ONLY solution for Jim’s question .)
“…..To
make a long story short, we've been through a lot of transmission problems over
the past years - but hopefully, we have finally found the solution (in a
different brand of transmission).. Have you read our write-up of our latest
saga of trans. woes on the A-37 website? If not, go to the 'home page', and check it out - specifically:
For
all our re-engining/re-transmissioning/re-proping, we
used the prop calculator on the Boat
Diesel.com - unfortunately, it will cost you $25 to get into the Prop
Calculator program (our subscription recently 'ran out', otherwise I would send
our user name and pass word). In any event, it might be worth your time
and a few $$ to subscribe to the prop formula. I feel it's very
accurate and has been 'right on' for the 2 different props we've used. It
allows one to enter the displacement, hp, rpm, reduction gear ratio, etc. as
entering arguments. If constrained by prop aperture size, it allows you
to enter the max diameter of the prop to be
used, and figures out the pitch. There are several other prop formulas out
there, but BoatDiesel
seems to work best for us. Also, you might be able to find a prop shop in
your area who can make size (diameter and pitch)
recommendations.
1)
To see if we could get max rated engine RPM at full throttle while underway
without overheating, and without any 'black smoke' coming from the
exhaust. This test shows that the prop is not too large (Pitch or Diameter)
for the engine/trans combination. On our Kubota based 37.5 HP @ 3000 RPM,
we can just achieve 3000 rpm at full throttle with no signs of overheating or
engine 'loading'.
And -
2) To see if
you can get 'hull speed' at the RPM at which the max torque curve intersects
with the fuel consumption curve (sort of an indication of max 'miles per
gallon'). On our engine/trans combination, we get hull speed (about 6.4
kts in flat water, no heel) at about 2200 rpm, which is about the max MPG for
this engine. Your engine literature
should have the performance curves listed somewhere .
Also,
there are a couple of good discussion forums (free) out there: Cruisers
Forum and the Seven Seas Cruising Association .
There are a number of posts about props/transmissions, etc. on each of these forums. Some of them by us!