How to Choose the Right Boat Propeller

Are you ready to hit the lake this summer?

You’re not alone. That’s because the long hot days of summer provide the perfect conditions to cool off in your favorite bodies of water. And boating is one of the best ways to enjoy the lake, river, or ocean. The key is to make sure that your boat is ready for action.

Fortunately, this article can help. Here we take a look at how to choose the right boat propeller for your boat to ensure that you’ll have plenty of power when it matters most. Keep reading to learn more.

Understand How a Propeller Works

Let’s start by discussing the basics of how propellers move boats through the water.

A propeller is a hub surrounded by blades. Each of the blades is the same size and length. They are twisted so that they force water toward the rear when they are turning.

This is the force that propels the boat. The vast majority of prop blades rotate clockwise.

Propeller Diameter

When buying a boat propeller, the first thing to consider is the diameter.

You’ll notice that all props feature two numbers that refer to the diameter and pitch.

The diameter of a prop is the overall size of the blades when measured tip to tip. Keep in mind that the larger the diameter, the more water the prop can push, thus the faster the boat will move.

Propeller Pitch

The second number denotes the pitch of the prop. This is the distance the prop will move the boat after one full revolution in the water.

Keep in mind that the lower the pitch, the slower the boat will be able to move. This means you’ll need to check your boat motor to see what pitch range is the right match.

Be sure to check out this resource that provides more outboard motor props information.

Propeller Rake Angle

The rake of a propeller is the angle between the hub and the blade. All props have a rake that’s between 0 and 20 degrees. The higher the rake, the more the bow will lift out of the water.

Thus you need to make sure you have the proper amount of propeller rake for the type of boat you own.

Stainless Steel vs Aluminum

It’s important to understand the difference between stainless steel vs aluminum propellers. The basic thing to remember is that aluminum is far cheaper than stainless steel, but it’s also far less durable.

In other words, if you buy a new boat propeller made of aluminum, you can expect it to be damaged much easier and wear out faster.

A Guide to Choosing the Right Boat Propeller

There’s nothing better than swimming and fishing during the summer months. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you have the right boat propeller so that you’ll have the best possible experience out on the water.

There are plenty more great articles like this one on our blog. Please continue exploring to find more content filled with unique and useful lifestyle-related tips and advice.