Prop Talk

Is your boat reaching its full potential? Often times your performance goal is only the turn of a prop wrench away! A rule of thumb regarding propellers is the higher the pitch; fewer rpm will be generated; while the lesser pitch propeller will increase your motor’s rpm. Your motor’s rpm range must be kept in mind when selecting a prop. Pitch is the actual measurement of the propeller as it moves through the water. For instance, a 30 pitch prop could propel the boat 30 inches per revolution if there is zero slip. Blade count will affect a vessel’s performance as well. In most cases, a higher blade count will produce faster acceleration and strong mid-range performance; although top-end performance might be reduced. However, fewer blade count most of the time performs better on top-end, with a decrease in acceleration. Overall blade shape varies on different propellers. The two basic shapes are rounded and pointed. Most of the times a prop with the pointed-shape blades are ideal for bass boats, flats boats, or any other lightweight vessel. Rounded-shape propellers are a better choice for heavy boats and multiple engine applications. Prop selection can be tedious and results will vary. Perhaps you already have the right prop, but it just needs to be reconditioned. We can have your propeller serviced and back to you before the next hurricane. Call us today and ask about our full line of propellers, some advice, or schedule an appointment for us to select the right prop for you.