Light weight Propeller

[ewalker]

Question for the hive mind.

Full disclosure. I am a weight weenie hate me if you want...

I am looking for alternatives to bronze propellers for a standard drive shaft. Prop size 13" diameter 12" pitch Right hand 3/4" or 1" shaft 3 blade. (prop is in a retracting system and not in the water while sailing)

Eliche Radice do aluminum props for saildrives. https://www.elicheradice.com/product-line/aluminium-propellers/

Piranha do composite propellers for ourboards. https://piranha.com/

anyone know of other options for the weight conscious sailor?

thanks!

 

[Zonker]

Take your own prop off. Use it as a plug for a "Forged Carbon" fiber mold

Make your own in forged carbon fiber (really just short strand carbon in a 3D shape). Watch the video

https://www.easycomposites.co.uk/learning/compression-moulding-forged-carbon-fibre

I suspect it would be easily strong enough for a small prop that size.

BUT... honestly lots of little bits will add to easier/cheaper/better weight savings.

Keep vinyl fenders tied to your permanent dock. Take inflatable fenders for overnight or longer trips. Vinyl fenders are quite heavy
Fiberglass propane tank Ragsco 11 lb propane capacity tank = 7.4 lbs for the tank versus 10 lbs for a Manchester aluminum 10 lb tank
Laminate sails instead of heavy dacron
Trim paper charts of their white edges
Cut down on tools aboard
Halyards are lighter weight dyneema instead of larger diameter polyester
No spare oils/solvents/coolant/paint aboard. Keep at home
Scan any paper cruising guide books as PDF and take a tablet
 

An article I helped my wife write:  https://www.cruisingworld.com/how/how-lose-1200-pounds/

 

[The great unwashed]

Doesn’t sound like you need a folding prop, but Flexofold makes composite blade props.

 

[ryley]

I think the Columbia Carbon 32 used a Torqeedo 3-bladed prop on their retractable setup.

 

[Slick470]

Kiwi Prop? http://kiwiprop.us/

 

[ewalker]

thanks for the replies everyone.

The Torqeedo props look promising. I would have to machine an adapter to get to the splines but that is no problem.

Zonker, we are already a stripped out race boat. All the low hanging fruit is long gone.

 

[miketennant]

I had a Kiwi prop on my last boat and loved it.  Light, durable and most of all, it worked great.   If I had to replace the prop on my new boat, it would be the first prop I would look at. 

 

[ryley]

I had a Kiwi prop on my last boat and loved it.  Light, durable and most of all, it worked great.   If I had to replace the prop on my new boat, it would be the first prop I would look at. 

I looked at the kiwi for my Freedom but it wasn't rated for the HP. Otherwise, looked darn good.

 

[Grande Mastere Dreade]

Take your own prop off. Use it as a plug for a "Forged Carbon" fiber mold

Make your own in forged carbon fiber (really just short strand carbon in a 3D shape). Watch the video

https://www.easycomposites.co.uk/learning/compression-moulding-forged-carbon-fibre

I suspect it would be easily strong enough for a small prop that size.

BUT... honestly lots of little bits will add to easier/cheaper/better weight savings.

Keep vinyl fenders tied to your permanent dock. Take inflatable fenders for overnight or longer trips. Vinyl fenders are quite heavy
Fiberglass propane tank Ragsco 11 lb propane capacity tank = 7.4 lbs for the tank versus 10 lbs for a Manchester aluminum 10 lb tank
Laminate sails instead of heavy dacron
Trim paper charts of their white edges         Purple font?
Cut down on tools aboard
Halyards are lighter weight dyneema instead of larger diameter polyester
No spare oils/solvents/coolant/paint aboard. Keep at home
Scan any paper cruising guide books as PDF and take a tablet
 

An article I helped my wife write:  https://www.cruisingworld.com/how/how-lose-1200-pounds/
 

you forgot go on that diet and trim those 60lbs off..

 

[GILow]

I looked at the kiwi for my Freedom but it wasn't rated for the HP. Otherwise, looked darn good.

They handle up to 80 HP now, FWIW.

 

[GILow]

Kiwi Prop? http://kiwiprop.us/

Try the manufacturer’s site, that US site is a bit out of date. Http://Kiwiprop.co.nz

 

[GILow]

Question for the hive mind.

Full disclosure. I am a weight weenie hate me if you want...

I am looking for alternatives to bronze propellers for a standard drive shaft. Prop size 13" diameter 12" pitch Right hand 3/4" or 1" shaft 3 blade. (prop is in a retracting system and not in the water while sailing)

Eliche Radice do aluminum props for saildrives. https://www.elicheradice.com/product-line/aluminium-propellers/

Piranha do composite propellers for ourboards. https://piranha.com/

anyone know of other options for the weight conscious sailor?

thanks!

Another vote for the Kiwiprop.  I’ve had mine for a few years and about 5000 nm now, very happy with it.

 

[ryley]

They handle up to 80 HP now, FWIW.

interesting and about time. I put a 3-blade flexofold on instead, and it works very well. Still like the Kiwi design.