REPAIRING OR REPLACING YOUR BOAT PROPELLERS

Propellers are important parts of many boats or ships since they are integral parts that help to propel the boats. Taking care of them to make sure that they work effectively is also very important.

It goes without saying that if your boat propeller gets damaged, it needs to be repaired. In case the damage is too severe, then there is a need to replace it. Do you need to repair or replace your boat propellers? There are some things to consider before taking either of those steps, Sarah said from Amarine.

UPGRADED BOAT PROPELLERS PERFORM BETTER

Getting an upgraded boat propeller is a wonderful idea because of so many reasons. One of the reasons is that it performs better and another reason is that it is easier to add several customizations that you wish to it.

Upgrading is also cheaper than purchasing a new one. So many factors determine how effective the propeller can be and one of the factors is the material used. The propeller material come in different types and depending on any of the material, you may be able to increase the performance of the propeller.

Another factor is the number of blades on the propeller. More blades on the propeller equate to more power. When upgrading your boat propeller, you can add more blades as you wish.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PROPELLER PITCH

Propeller pitch is described as the distance the prop would move forward in one rotation if it were moving through a soft solid. The pitch is one of the basic dimensions of a propeller. The other is the diameter.

The Mathematics of the Propeller Pitch

The pitch begins lower at the leading edge and it gradually increases to the edge. It improves performance when it comes to applications with high speed. The number assigned to the pitch prop is the average across the blades attached.

The final gear ratio between the engine of the boat and the water on which the boat moves is determined by the propeller pitch. The owner’s manual of a boat contains information called Wide-open throttle (WOT). According to the manual, the boat is required to operate within the WOT assigned to the boat.

If the propeller pitch of the boat is too low, the boat will run over the assigned WOT and when this happens, this could lead to engine damage. If the propeller pitch is too high on the other hand, the boat may run below the assigned WOT and when this happens, it could cause undue pressure on the boat engine.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BOAT PROPELLER

If you want to replace your boat propeller, you need to put some things into mind. These will help you make the right choice.

• Shape and Size

The shape and size of the propeller matter a lot when you want to choose a boat propeller. One rule of thumb is the consideration of the RPM. If the RPM is below the operating range, then you should choose a propeller that has lower pitched blades. If on the other hand, the RPM is higher than the recommended range, choose a propeller with higher-pitched blades. Remember that the bigger the prop, the more drag there is

• Steel vs Aluminum

Propellers can be made of either steel or aluminum. There are strong differences between the two. The steel propeller is more expensive compared to the aluminum but it is stronger and lasts longer than the aluminum propeller. If you want better handling or better acceleration for your boat, then you can go for the steel propeller. Be prepared to pay for it though.

• Diameter

The diameter of a propeller is one of the factors that affect the efficiency of the propeller. The diameter of a propeller should always be large enough because this ensures that enough water passes through the propeller and this, in turn, helps the vessel move forward effectively and smoothly.

• Blades

As mentioned earlier, the more the blades on the propeller, the more the power of the propeller.

REPLACING YOUR BILGE PUMPS

The bilge pump is a very important part of the boat. The pump is used to remove bilge water. They are usually neglected and forgotten until it is time to use them. You must check on them often.

• Install Your Pump in Two Days Using Three Easy Steps:

It is easy to install your pump. Here are three steps to follow:

(a) MOUNT THE BILGE PUMP

The first thing you have to do is to fasten the beige pump to the boat to make sure they don’t separate. If they spate, they will pump air instead of water. Follow the instructions on the kit purchased.

(b) CONNECT THE HOSES

After mounting the bilge pump, the net thing to do is to connect the hoses. Check out the configuration of the hoses to ensure a perfect fit when you connect them.

(c) DO THE PROPER DISCHARGE FITTING

Ensure that the bilge pump discharge comes from above the waterline. Make sure that the fitting of the discharge doesn’t go below the waterline.

WHICH ANCHOR IS BEST FOR MY BOAT

Several considerations when purchasing boat anchors

There are several considerations when purchasing a boat anchor. These include the weight of the anchor, where it will be kept when not in use, the holding power, and the bottom conditions.

The holding power determines how much the anchor can withstand to hold the boat in place. The weight of the boat is important when the boat is in a storm. So, the bigger the better. The bottom condition also matters. The anchor has to be able to penetrate hard sand in the water.

Recommendations based on the seabed conditions

The best anchors to choose from include Anchor styles, Danforth, or fluke-style anchors.