Propeller design of boats vs. airplane
Propeller design of boats vs. airplane
(OP)
I'm a curious civil engineer who has just returned from an evening walk by the harbour.
I noticed that the propellers of boats appear to be designed differently (e.g. shorter, rounder) compared to airplane or wind turbine wings (long, slim airfoils).
If this is true, can anyone elaborate on the physical background behind these design differences? I guess it may be related somehow to the differences in the density and compressibility of water and air.
Thanks in advance
I noticed that the propellers of boats appear to be designed differently (e.g. shorter, rounder) compared to airplane or wind turbine wings (long, slim airfoils).
If this is true, can anyone elaborate on the physical background behind these design differences? I guess it may be related somehow to the differences in the density and compressibility of water and air.
Thanks in advance

RE: Propeller design of boats vs. airplane
A 5' diameter plane prop could not turn at 2000 rpm in water!! First it would break - second it would cavitate and go nowhere.
Check out your old hydraulics books
RE: Propeller design of boats vs. airplane
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Propeller design of boats vs. airplane