SS props

[BarryH]

I've been looking around to change the office fan shaped prop on the vilvo for a stainless jobby. I've looked at several sites on the web and phoned a couple of people. Some just say "Na sorry mate don't do em anymore" or the price is just too damn high. So good people of the forum, enlighten me. Where can I get a reasonably priced stainless steel spinny thing.

 

[Col]

Steel developments do Solas st/stl props. They are much more efficient than Volvos' original. Apparently the prop wash is better.

If you imagine the perfect prop, all its thrust would go rearwards, in practice, some of this thrust is spun outwards, with centrifugal force. The prop wash ends up in the form of a cone.
With Volvos props, this angle is approx 18 deg the Solas, because of its cupped design, is about 5 deg.

In real terms, the fuel consumtion on my twin V8's (didn't tell you about my other boat did I) went from 1.3mpg to 2.2mpg, with a slight gain in top speed.

Only down side, is slight loss of thrust in reverse (ie) With Volvo props, 1 ahead/1 astern at idle, it would turn in its own length. With St/stl, the engine in reverse has to be run 200 rpm higher, to turn in its own length.
If you're in no hurry, I'll chat to you at Poole.
You could, maybe, persuede me to flog 'em.

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[BarryH]

Ah, but I only want one, and anyway its an old 280 drive. Don't know if they would fit. Then again...erm...canopies.... now theres a thought!! On a serious note though, what are the Props size and pitch. Don't know weather the V8's would spin a bigger prop than my four pot. So it night have to be a new one after all.

 

[Col]

1 l/h & 1 r/h long hub props currently fitted to 290 singleprop drives. 21"pitch

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