
Prop slip is the discrepancy between real and theoretical forward travel in basic terms. It’s caused by the angle of attack of a propeller. Too much prop slip results in poor performance and poor fuel economy.
What is prop slip and what causes it?
Prop slip is the discrepancy between real and theoretical forward travel in basic terms. It’s caused by the angle of attack of a propeller. Too much prop slip results in poor performance and poor fuel economy. Question: Is it better to have a 3 prop blade or 4 prop blade?
What is a good prop slip for a boat?
For instance, a sailboat or barge traveling at 9 mph will have a prop slip of approximately 45%, while a hydroplane traveling at over 90 mph can have a prop slip as low as 7%. How is Prop Slip Determined? To properly determine prop slip, users must know several determining factors, including speed, RPM, drive ratio and propeller pitch.
How do you determine prop slip?
The professionals at Livorsi use this algorithm to determine prop slip: For instance, let’s say a boat is traveling at 61.3 mph at 4300 RPM. It has a prop pitch of 24″, and the drive ration is 1:36:1. By using the equation listed above, and inserting the figures just stated, we can see that the prop slip equals 14.7%.
What causes a spun propeller?
Kevin Falvey What Causes a Spun Prop? The rubber inner bushing inside an outboard propeller hub is designed to absorb the shock created by shifting. The rubber hub bushing also serves as a “breakaway” should you strike something, allowing the prop to spin, and so protecting drive train components like gears.

How do you know if your prop is slipping?
0:261:44How to easily diagnose a spun propeller hub - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you are not sure if your how the spun there's an easy way to test take a center punch. And aMoreIf you are not sure if your how the spun there's an easy way to test take a center punch. And a hammer and put a punch mark on the hub. And on the prop. So they line. Up.
What is propeller slippage?
Propeller slip is the difference between the actual distance the prop travels forward through the water versus the distance it should theoretically travel based on the prop blades' angle of attack. The theoretical travel is determined by the prop pitch.
How do you stop prop slips?
How To Reduce The Prop Slip?Step 1: Trim The Prop. First of all, you'll need a correct setback, as well as some balance. ... Step 2: Check The Speed Readings. Check to see if you've spun the hub or the coupler. ... Step 3: The Finishing. The tach will display falsely high rpm numbers in this case.
What does a spun prop feel like?
A spun hub feels like a loss of power with excessive RPM. You will likely feel the prop slipping at high RPM.
What causes propeller slip aviation?
The drag is a closely related to velocity (for entire aircraft) and rpm of propeller (for the prop). Now the propeller pitch being fixed, and the velocity changing through out the flight, the velocity would be changing in the entire flight regime and consequently drag and therefore slip.
How tight should the propeller nut be?
If you don't have a torque wrench, no need to worry, simply tighten down the nut with your socket. It will need to be pretty snug to avoid coming off when running your outboard. Once the nut is snugly in place, you've successfully installed your propeller.
How do you measure prop slip?
Calculate Propeller Slip: RPM div by GEAR RATIO x PITCH div by 1056 = Theoretical Speed. Then you divide the customers actual (gps) speed by the Theoretical speed to get propeller efficiency. For Example: 5500 div by 2.07 x 20 div by 1056 = 50.23mph.
Can a lower unit slip?
Slipping Propeller If the outboard engine lower unit propeller sustains damage, often caused by hitting or pushing against an underwater obstruction, it can slip on its hub and cause impaired outboard steering.
Do boat propellers wear out?
The simple answer, Yes props wear out. They are thin and undergo severe cyclical loading and like any other metal they will fail through fatigue.
What happens when a boat Cavitates?
Cavitation wastes energy and makes the propeller “noisy” as the vapor bubbles collapse, and most seriously, erodes the prop's surface due to localized shock waves against the blade surface.
What causes a spun prop hub?
Hitting something with the prop will do it too. Its like a shear pin, made to spin before you damage your prop shaft or lower unit. Like Robby said high torque and hitting objects are the usual suspects. However there are times when the exhaust runs too hot and overheats the hub.
Why is my boat running high rpm?
High idles are caused primarily by too much air entering the engine after the intake. This extra air leans out the air to fuel ratio but raises the idle anywhere from 100 to 500 RPM based on the amount of air.
What is aircraft propeller slip?
Propeller slip is the difference between the geometric pitch of the propeller and its effective pitch. Geometric pitch is the theoretical distance a propeller should advance in one revolution; effective pitch is the distance it actually advances.
What is slip on a ship?
Ship slip is the difference between the speed of the Engine and the actual observed speed of the ship. SLIP. Slip = 100% – Efficiency. Where, Efficiency = observed distance covered or engine speed.
How do you calculate a slip?
3:3713:51Ship Slip How to Calculate - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd let's set in our revolution counter here per watch that we get 82 390 rpm times i will get thisMoreAnd let's set in our revolution counter here per watch that we get 82 390 rpm times i will get this number here of propeller pitch. Which is seven point zero six zero twenty two. And we will find this
What Causes a Spun Prop?
The rubber inner bushing inside an outboard propeller hub is designed to absorb the shock created by shifting. The rubber hub bushing also serves as a “breakaway” should you strike something, allowing the prop to spin, and so protecting drive train components like gears.
How to tell if a prop hub is spun?
To tell if your hub has spun, mark a line on the back of the prop hub with lipstick. You can also score your mark using a file. With the mark in place over the inner and outer hub, it’s a simple matter to pull the prop and see if the mark has broken in two. If it has, you have spun a hub.
What does it mean when a boat hub spins?
A spun hub feels like a loss of power with excessive RPM. You will likely feel the prop slipping at high RPM. Sometimes, the hub only spins when the engine revs above a certain RPM, causing many boaters to wonder if they have spun a hub, are experiencing ventilation or cavitation, or have some kind of gear or power issue with their outboard.
How much does it cost to replace a prop hub?
Prop hub replacement cost is often anywhere from $50 to $100, depending on your engine and where you take it. Fixing the prop requires pressing out the old hub and replacing it with a new hub. If you have the proper tools, you can do this process yourself.
How to tell if you have a spun hub?
Figure out if you have a spun hub by marking the boat propeller and its hub with lipstick. Kevin Falvey
How to determine prop slip?
The simplest way to explain prop slip is to think of a screw. Each time a screw makes a complete turn, it has completed a “pitch.”.
How much prop slip does a boat have?
Speed and hull type are two of the top factors that affect prop slip. For instance, a sailboat or barge traveling at 9 mph will have a prop slip of approximately 45%, while a hydroplane traveling at over 90 mph can have a prop slip as low as 7%.
Why does a propeller never reach its full pitch?
A propeller turns in much the same way and also has a pitch. The problem is that water produces drag against the boat and propeller, so the propeller never actually reaches its full pitch. The lost distance of the pitch due to drag is called the propeller slip, or prop slip for short.
What Happens If The Prop Slip Is Extended?
If the prop slip is extended, the engine may run below its WOT range. This is known as lugging. This might put unnecessary strain on the engine and gearcase components.
How To Calculate The Prop Slip?
You can easily calculate the prop slip while lubing the steering cable on the boat. You can also calculate it any other time.
