Prop Recommendations for CD 27

[jneely]

The previous owner of our CD 27 Troika installed a new prop shortly before our purchase. He said that it reduced vibration while under power quite a bit. But the prop has very little pitch and does not seem to provide the biting power that we need. In reverse it is almost useless. Does anyone out there have any suggestions for a prop or for a company in the Long Island area that could advise on a new prop? The boat is powered by the original Yanmar SB8 engine. Thanks for all replies.

[tjr818]

Do you know what size prop you have now? Our CD27 with the YSM8 and the original prop seems under powered for sure and reverse is another story altogether. The direction you will go in reverse depends almost entirely on the wind direction, not the rudder. I have heard that some feathering props provide better reverse control, but that comes at a price that I am not prepared to go with. Dock lines, fenders and a boat hook are what we use.

[Klem]

First, you need to figure out what type of prop you want. A fixed prop will provide the best thrust and is the cheapest but has the most drag while sailing. Many people like feathering props which have significantly less drag while sailing but are much more expensive. For people really worried about sailing performance, folders are the way to go but the reverse is really weak. The "standard" fixed prop is a Michigan wheel, the Campbell Sailor is a good middle ground with the advantages of the 3 blade with much lower drag and the Max Prop is the most popular feathering prop. Also, you will need to figure out whether you want 2 or 3 blades. 2 blades can be hidden behind the deadwood for lower drag but they are much less smooth so I prefer 3.

Once you have figured out what type of prop you want, you need to figure out the pitch and diameter. My recommendation is to ask the prop supplier and then get them to back up their recommendation with an agreement to fix any pitch issues. Also, other 27 owners with the same engine and transmission can provide information on this. Note that there will be some variability in the sizing depending on the specific prop chosen and the diameter so you can't just use the same pitch as someone else if the prop isn't otherwise the same.

[godspeed]

my cd 27, godspeed also has the original ysb8 and most likely the original three blade prop. i don't notice any vibration, and the boat is adequately powered. tim's comments on reverse are correct. the boat does not know reverse, prop walk notwithstanding. but i can't find any reference to the prop size or manufacturer. i will be doing the bottom prep this weekend, including scraping the barnicles off the prop, so if i find a reference, i will let you know.
also, i had all kind of trouble finding the camp prop zinc, but finally located one at the bottompaintstore.com

[M. R. Bober]

my cd 27, godspeed also has the original ysb8 and most likely the original three blade prop. i don't notice any vibration, and the boat is adequately powered. tim's comments on reverse are correct. the boat does not know reverse, prop walk notwithstanding. but i can't find any reference to the prop size or manufacturer. i will be doing the bottom prep this weekend, including scraping the barnicles off the prop, so if i find a reference, i will let you know.
also, i had all kind of trouble finding the camp prop zinc, but finally located one at the bottompaintstore.com

A couple of things: 1) I doubt that the original prop was a three blade. It was likely changed from the two blade to gain "extra" thrust. The Yanmar 8 probably puts out closer to 6hp and most of that can be used by the alternator when the batteries are down. 2) There is a reason why CD dropped the 8hp and moved to the 13hp. The smaller engine is barely adequate to drive the boat against any current, thus the hope that three blades would help. 3) The third blade may hurt more when sailing that it helps when powering. 4) Keep that prop clean or really lose thrust.

Just my opinions, but I had a CD27 with the Yanmar 8 (two blade) for 18 years, and you can't amend the laws of physics.

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (Where it is beautiful today.) VA

[godspeed]

mitchell..thanks for the info. i run an inlet to get to blue water and against the tide it can be a challenge. do you know the size of the prop. i still can't find any info. would you recommend changing back to the two blade, and if so where can they be had?