Did you know… …why we fit two and three blade folding propellers to our X-Yachts?
Thursday 17th November 2016
The predominant reason for fitting a folding propeller is to reduce the hydrodynamic drag when sailing. In terms of sailing speed through the water, a folding propeller can offer a significant increase of up to 15% when compared to a standard fixed blade propeller.
We chose both two and three blade folding propellers depending on the application.
X-Performance Two-Blade folding – Light/medium displacement, performance orientated yacht.
- The design of this propeller provides the least drag characteristics, thereby optimizing the performance aspect of this type of yacht.
- A two-blade propeller can provide a higher top speed than a three blade in flat sea conditions.
X-Cruising Three-Blade folding – Heavier displacement, blue water cruising yacht.
- The third blade gives additional “grip” of the water due to increased surface area, this is particularly useful when manoeuvring in a marina environment.
- A three-blade, while not as fast as a two-blade, does give additional “thrust” which is beneficial when motoring through a choppy head sea.