nigel
New Member
I've just had a call from the prop repair shop... apparently my props are only good for the skip, showing really bad stress cracks when they cleaned them up.
These were old-ish 4 blade Offshore props, 21" pitch, that I picked up second hand - they were a bit dirty when I bought them so didn't notice any cracking.
I was so impressed by the improvment in performance over my standard 21" 3 blade props I auctioned the old ones on you-know-where a couple of months ago. Which is not so good now I need some decent props... especially given how much I got for them.
So, anyway - I'm prop-less right now.
Has anyone experience with 4 blade props on the '98 270? - Given I'm going to have to buy new props anyway I might well put in a bit extra and get some 4-bladers.. But am unsure if I should go for 21" or 19"... Or indeed Alpha 4 aluminium props at 20" which would keep my credit card happier... And 20" seems to be the ideal pitch according to all the calculators on the web. But will these be much worse than 19" and 21" stainless props? My primary concern is fuel consumption... Would going from 21" 3-blade to 19" 4-blade make mpg worse? Is slightly under-propped better than over-propped for fuel consumption? - I don't care about top-end speed.
All and any help most appreciated!
These were old-ish 4 blade Offshore props, 21" pitch, that I picked up second hand - they were a bit dirty when I bought them so didn't notice any cracking.
I was so impressed by the improvment in performance over my standard 21" 3 blade props I auctioned the old ones on you-know-where a couple of months ago. Which is not so good now I need some decent props... especially given how much I got for them.
So, anyway - I'm prop-less right now.
Has anyone experience with 4 blade props on the '98 270? - Given I'm going to have to buy new props anyway I might well put in a bit extra and get some 4-bladers.. But am unsure if I should go for 21" or 19"... Or indeed Alpha 4 aluminium props at 20" which would keep my credit card happier... And 20" seems to be the ideal pitch according to all the calculators on the web. But will these be much worse than 19" and 21" stainless props? My primary concern is fuel consumption... Would going from 21" 3-blade to 19" 4-blade make mpg worse? Is slightly under-propped better than over-propped for fuel consumption? - I don't care about top-end speed.
All and any help most appreciated!
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