Propeller Handbook: The Complete Reference for Choosing, Installing, and Understanding Boat Propellers

The Complete Reference for Choosing, Installing, and Understanding Boat Propellers—a first of its kind reference—fully revised and updated

Propeller Handbook, Second Edition demystifies the operation, behavior and selection of propellers and provides practical and detailed advice in readable, easy-to-understand language. The book will enable readers to size and select the correct propeller for their boat or for boats they may be working on. Solutions to propeller problems, installation considerations, propeller shafting, number of blades and blade area, boat speed and powering calculations and considerations, and much more are discussed in detail. In the twenty-seven years since the publication of the first edition, Propeller Handbook, has become a cornerstone resource that marine-industry professionals rely on.

All material from the previous edition is completely rewritten to reflect the author’s additional 27-years of experience in boat design and propeller selection since the first edition was introduced. Significant changes in the emphasis placed on factors such as blade area and propeller and engine matching, underlie the revised propeller-selection approach. Plus, the entire book has been updated to fully include metric and English units.

• Why won't your engine reach its top rated RPMs?
• Why is your propeller shaft vibrating?
• Why doesn't your boat reach the top speed claimed by the manufacturer?
• Will more or less propeller pitch improve your boat's performance?
• Is a square wheel (pitch equals diameter) best?
• Is a folding prop best for your purposes?
• Should you choose a two-, three-, or four-bladed propeller?

All these questions and more are answered in this complete reference--the first of its kind.

"We have highly recommended the Propeller Handbook to our distributors and repair stations, and have multiple office copies that our sales people refer to."--Michigan Wheel Corporation

"This book will answer almost every propeller-related question you're likely to come across."--Ensign

"Without doubt the definitive reference for selecting, installing, and understanding boat propellers."--Royal Navy Sailing Association Journal

"This book is for everyone who has ever had to make a decision about a propeller: mechanics, boatbuilders, boat service yard owners, boat owners, as well as naval architects. Dave Gerr and International Marine made a complicated topic understandable and put it into a handbook that is easy to use."--WoodenBoat