Have you ever wondered what makes your boat move on the water? Boat propellers do this for your boat and they do it in a spectacular manner. Boat props are devices that propel or push the boat through the water. These devices are mechanical and they consist of blades and revolving shafts. The revolving shafts are powered by boat motors while the blades are responsible for biting or gripping into the water. Boat propellers come in different forms and they can be categorized according to diameter, style, number of blades they use and pitch measurement. Boat props can also be categorized based on the materials from which they are made. Propeller Depot carries all of the best brands of boat propellers, and the experts can ensure you select the perfect boat prop for you marine application.
Three-Blade Propeller
This is about the most common propeller out there. It is also the fastest one in most cases. However, in high performance boats, four blade propellers perform with greater speeds than the three blade propellers. This propeller has three curved blades and they spiral around a device called a shot hole. This device connects the propeller to the engine of the boat.
Four-Blade Propeller
This propeller has a number of advantages and this is why it is so popular. With this propeller in your boat, you can increase speed, troll, or just maintain a steady or cruising speed.
Cupped Blade
A cupped blade is versatile in the sense that it can be incorporated into both the 4-blade and the 3-blade design. The cupped blade has curved lips and this gives you better bite or grip in the water. One advantage of this blade is that when you position it close to the surface of the water, you can increase the overall speed of the boat.
Pitch and Diameter
Boats propellers are not always classified according to number of blades. They are also classified according to pitches and diameter. Theoretically, the pitch is the distance a boat will be able to cover per propeller rotation. On the other hand, the diameter is the distance across the circular device to which these blades are attached. Increasing the propeller's pitch will increase overall speed but you will lose acceleration in the process.
Materials
The typical boat propeller is made from either stainless steel or aluminum. The aluminum propeller is more popular than the stainless-steel variety because it is less expensive. However, it is not as durable as the stainless-steel variety and it is more prone to damage. The stainless steel propeller is stronger and more durable. Contact the experts at Propeller Depot to find the ultimate propeller for your boat.
