2 Blades or 3 ?

[peasea]

I need to replace the corroded 2 blade prop of my sloop's motor. I have replaced the original Buhk20 with a bukh24.
I also have a 2 blade ropecutter existing. Any advantage to be gained by going to a 3 blade prop. as the replacement ?

 

[PhilipH]

3 blade definitely - check out the Max-prop website.

 

[Talbot]

The bigger the blade area, the more thrust, but also the more drag!

 

[freeman]

Look at the kiwi prop.
3 blades feathering

 

[johnphilip]

Last year we replaced the 2 blade on our Fulmar (BUKH 20) with a 3 blade from Silette Sonic -a narrower blade than standard giving a bit less drag, but much more bite, tick over now 3.5 knots but more important gives better push into headwinds or chop. I was tempted by the Kiwi but our boat partners did not want to invest in one

 

[charles_reed]

3 blades give far better propulsion especially against wind and waves.

If you're concerned about the additional drag look at a folding 3 blade (Gori, Brunton) or a self feathering one (Kiwi, which has plastic blades, Brunton or Maxprop).