Boat Propellers: Terminology
Sante Marine Propeller has everything you need regarding boat propellers! We don’t just sell propellers, we repair & re-pitch them as well as providing skeg & cavitation plate repair and shaft straightening. We are here to make sure you spend less time out of the water and more time on it having fun!
For your reference, here are some of the general terms and also a few technical ones in the propeller business.
Propeller Term
What it means...
Diameter
The diameter of the imaginary circle scribed by the blade tips as the propeller rotates.
Radius
The distance from the axis of rotation to the blade tip. The radius multiplied by two is equal to the diameter.
Blade Face
Pressure Side, Pitch Side. Aft side of the blade surface facing the stern.
Blade Back
Suction Side. Forward side of the blade surface facing the bow.
Leading Edge
The edge of the propeller blade adjacent to the forward end of the hub. When viewing the propeller from astern, this edge is furthest away. The leading edge leads into the flow when providing forward thrust
Trailing Edge
The edge of the propeller adjacent to the aft end of the hub. When viewing the propeller from astern, this edge is closest The trailing edge retreats from the flow when providing forward thrust.
Blade Number
Equal to the number of blades on the propeller.
Blade Tip
Maximum reach of the blade from the center of the hub. Separates the leading and trailing edges.
Hub
Solid cylinder located at the center of the propeller. Bored to accommodate the engine shaft. Hub shapes include cylindrical, conical, radius & barreled.