Many non-boaters think of a propeller as simply a spinning assembly of three blades that provides propulsion for a watercraft.  The truth, however, is that outboard boat propellers are highly complex pieces of equipment that are designed according to exacting specifications so as to maximize issues such as fuel efficiency and minimize others such as [...]

When a watercraft has no other propulsion system except for inboard boat propellers, the issue of drag under sail simply does not come up.  Sailboat enthusiasts, however, know that it can be a real and pressing issue when they are using their sails to power the watercraft. Why sailboats have propellers Some might question why [...]

Boating enthusiasts with a Suzuki outboard motor will find that they have a large range of choices when it comes time to look for a replacement propeller.  Like many outboard motors, those produced by Suzuki can greatly benefit from an aftermarket propeller because these will allow boaters to customize their propulsion system to fit their [...]

There are a large number of different manufacturers of outboard props, and each manufacturer makes a great many different models.  The huge variety of propellers that results from this can seem overwhelming to a boating enthusiast, particularly to a novice.  Thankfully, all manufacturers of propellers do use standardized terminology to describe each of their models.  [...]

Tohatsu is an excellent manufacturer of outboard engines.  Both pleasure boaters and those who need propulsion for business purposes such as chartering or fishing use Tohatsu motors. Outboard motors, however, are all but useless unless they are paired with an appropriate propeller. Aftermarket solutions for Tohatsu boat propellers allow boating enthusiasts to customize their propulsion [...]

Although all boats in use are at least partially submerged in water, every boating enthusiast knows that there are parts of a boat that should not be exposed to water.  Keeping water out of the propulsion system is the job of a shaft seal.  A quality marine shaft seal will not only be waterproof, however; [...]

Most metals are subject to corrosion, and their tendency to decay in the presence of water and oxygen is only exacerbated by the presence of seawater, which contains a number of dissolved solids including salt.  There are ways, however, to retard and even control the process of corrosion.  One of the chief methods is known [...]

Those who are new to the sports of fishing or leisure boating may be surprised to learn that one of the most important characteristics of a propeller is its “pitch.”  Even though the term sounds to novices far more akin to baseball than to boating, it is quite an apt word.  Just as a thrower’s [...]

Every major manufacturer of boat props offers a line of stainless boat propellers, and for good reason.  Stainless boat props are characterized by a high level of both durability and strength, providing boating enthusiasts with reliable propulsion for a long time after purchase.  This in part explains why typical stainless steel boat props cost more [...]

The most common metal used in boat propeller manufacture is the lightweight element aluminum.  However, the characteristic shiny silver hue of aluminum is rarely on display on such propellers. Because this metal is significantly susceptible to corrosion, aluminum props are usually painted.  This makes it a little difficult for boaters to determine immediately if aluminum [...]