Did you know that people are buying up boats in record numbers? Almost 30,000 boats were sold in 2019 alone.
If you’re a first-time boat owner or are thinking about becoming one, it’s worth learning about your propeller options. Simply put, not all propellers are built alike. Each come with their own benefits and purposes.
Are you wondering what you should know? Keep reading to learn all about the different types of ship propellers.
A Stern Drive Propeller
When it comes to the development of boat propellers, stern drive propellers are relatively recent. One of the major benefits of this propeller type is that it can be trimmed using easy controls. This alone provides all kinds of advantages, including safer handling in shallow water, more control in choppy water, and even a boosted fuel efficiency.
A lot of this is made possible by a rudder that’s installed directly onto the system. It should be noted that the maintenance costs are often high because fixing broken parts involves disassembling most of the engine.
An Outboard Propeller
Are you wondering about other boat propeller types? If you have an outboard motor, then you can use what’s known as an outboard propeller. You can expect this type to have either 3 or 4 blades in total.
You don’t need more blades than that because you’ll notice how they provide the best efficiency for boats with such motors. Of course, there’s always something you can do to improve propeller efficiency if necessary.
You’ll be glad to know that you can also choose from a range of materials for your propeller. One of the most popular is stainless steel because it’s quite resistant and lasts for a long time.
An Inboard Propeller
As you can probably guess by the name, this type of marine propeller is for an inboard motor. At first glance, this propeller looks almost like any other. However, this propeller needs enough clearance in relation to the boat’s bottom.
It can be hard to gauge if there’s enough clearance or not. One rule of thumb you can follow is that the clearance should be equivalent to about 20% of the propeller’s total diameter. With this in mind, you’d need around 4 inches of space for a propeller that’s in the range of 20 inches.
Propellers for boats can sometimes be a headache. If you’re ever in a doubt, it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a trained boat professional.
Ready to Choose Between Different Ship Propellers?
Now that you’ve learned all about the different types of ship propellers, you can decide which one is best for your boat. That way, you’ll be ready to take your friends and family members on an epic adventure on the water.
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