Propellers - 'Bronze Age' into the 'Space Age'

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Propellers are one of the alternates used for moving your yacht ahead. These come in different size and in variations of a common shape for different sizes of vessels and seas. Obviously, a damaged propeller would mean that you would be left drifting in the middle of nowhere and under the influence of other uncontrollable factors such as winds and waves.


Technically, one can define a propeller as a device that consists of a central hub with radiating blades placed and twisted so that each forms part of a helical surface.

CARBON FIBRE

Carbon fiber is in the form of several thousand long, thin strands of material that is composed of mostly carbon atoms.

It has the highest compressive strength of all the reinforcing materials (composite materials), and it has a high strength to weight ratio and low coefficient of thermal expansion. The density of carbon fiber is also much lower than the density of steel.

Carbon fiber props are lightweight, flexible, cost effective and extremely efficient. Because of this, carbon fiber propellers have been installed on ships and luxury yachts achieving remarkable success. Because of it's superior performance and durability today more products are being made from composite carbon fiber. Marine technology has also turned to carbon fiber for developing propellers, yacht masts, hulls and many other products for vessels.



Carbon fiber propellers gives an extra boost to the yachts. With fantastic features such as replaceable blades, increased speed and fuel efficiency a yacht can be given a "Competitive Edge" plus it fetches a higher resale value. Carbon fiber props are very durable & they are easily replaceabl. Composite carbon fiber is the future.

WHY ?

A few reasons why one should use carbon propellers instead of ordinary propellers :-

1) Carbon fiber composites are ten times stronger than steel, yet are still five times lighter.
2) The flexibility of the blades allows the yacht to achieve her top speeds at lower RPM rather than full throttle.
3) The Carbon propeller consists of a metallic hub and carbon fiber blades. If a blade is damaged it is easily replaced either at dockside or by a diver.
4) The propeller leaves the factory with the carbon fiber reinforced blades covered with a hard polished surface so there is no further need to apply an antifouling or protective paint so its low on maintenance.
5) The propellers are certified by ISO 9001 which is the ultimate in product recognition.
6) The carbon fiber propeller design allows each blade to be identical in size, weight and shape which dramatically reduces vibration and noise caused by metal props.



7) The propeller has the optimum pitch across a wide operating range resulting in increased fuel savings.
8) Carbon fiber propellers are extraordinary light weight, approximately 1/3 of a standard metal. This reduces the stress on the stuffing boxes and propeller bracket bearings.
9) A combination of high strength material at the edge of the blades guarantees a very high resistance to impact thereby reducing blade damage as a result of grounding or contact with submerged objects.
10) Carbon fiber propellers cost approximately 25% more than the best metal. They pay for themselves in fuel savings, maintenance savings and immeasurable increased comfort. The additional cost is more than made up for by increased efficiency.

So its time that we all say a sweet good bye to the Bronze Age and welcome the Space Age!