Propellor for Vancouver 28 - advice please

[Sidedrum]

I've just become the happy owner of a Vancouver 28. The current prop has suffered galvanic corrosion and needs replacing. It's a two blade fixed and I'm thinking of replacing it with a three blade fixed as I'm not worried about the extra drag but I would like a bit more manouverability at slow speeds. That's about as much as I know about the subject!

Any advice on this would be very welcome, and if anyone has experience of a three bladed prop on a Vancouver 28 (or 27) I'd be grateful for your experience.

 

[dansaskip]

Like you I have just become owner of a Vancouver 28, although mine has a 3 bladed fixed prop. How it performs though I have yet to discover.
Some people seem to favour a Brunton AutoProp or similar see:
http://vancouver.informe.com/propellor-choice-dt178.html

It might be worth you asking on the Vancouver org forum
Or even joining Vancouver Yachts Association
http://www.vancouver.org.uk/

 

[rodwhite]

my 28 has a 3 blade fixed i have found that prop kick can help and hinder plenty kick on Gwenllian but short small burst of throttle going in astern will reduce most unwanted kick and help manouverability plenty drive on my 2gm20f and probably plenty drag but what a boat - enjoy

 

[Sidedrum]

Thank you Dansaskip for that link - though it's left me contemplating the expense of a feathering prop ...

And Rodwhite, that's really useful - with the two blade prop I need a few bursts on the throttle to turn going ahead in close quarters, and astern - well, that's in the hands of the wind! So it sounds like three blades will be a definite improvement. And I'm sure I'll enjoy her for many years to come.

 

[Tranona]

If you have to buy a new prop, the incremental cost of a feathering prop rather than a new fixed 3 blade is not so daunting. Something like a 3 bladed Featherstream will transform performance under power and show some improvement under sail, particularly in light airs.