There’s nothing quite like being out on the open water. The warm sea breeze in your face, the smell of the water, the feeling of freedom that comes from being on a boat. But how much do you know about how your boat operates?
If you want to learn more about your boat, you should start with the boat motor propeller. From the acceleration to the top speed, the handling to the fuel efficiency, your boat propeller affects more than you might think. Ready to learn? Read on for our guide.
Parts of a Boat Motor Propeller
A boat propeller consists of several parts, each of which is essential for its operation. Some parts are different depending on the type of propeller, while some are uniform across the board. Let’s go over the essentials.
The Hub
The hub is the center of the propeller, and while it’s small, it is essential for the operation. There is both an inner hub and outer hub.
The outer hub connects to the blades of the propeller and to the inner hub. The hollow space between the inner and outer hubs is where the exhaust passes out of the propeller.
The hub is also where you detach your propeller if you need to repair it or switch it out. This is done by using a boat propeller puller, an essential tool for every boat owner.
The Blades
When you’re picturing a boat propeller, you’re imagining the blades. The blades thrust the boat through water by spinning around the hub.
The leading edge of the blade is that which is closest to the boat, and first cuts through the water. This edge extends from the hub out to the tip, which is the outermost point of the blade.
The trailing edge, in contrast, is furthest from the boat, and provides the surface where water leaves the blade. This edge extends from the tip back down to the hub.
Other parts of the blades of a boat propeller include the blade face, which faces away from the boat, and the blade back, which faces towards the boat. There is also the blade root, where the blade attaches to the hub.
How the Boat Propeller Works
The basics of how a propeller works seem relatively simple. The propeller spins and the boat moves forward. However, it’s a bit more complicated than that.
Propeller blades displace water in order to move the boat forward. As the blades spin, they push the water downward behind the blades. When this happens, it creates a temporary hole, which is immediately filled with more water. This pressure from new water moving in creates momentum and pushes the boat forward.
Expand Your Knowledge
Now that you know the basics about a boat motor propeller, you might be itching to learn more. Luckily, you’re already in the right place.
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