The reduction in lead times, for propellers up to 1.5 metres in diameter, has been achieved through an end-to-end design and production solution that is able to support boat owners and operators in their most challenging moments. By combining 3D mobile scanning, computational fluid dynamics and lifting surface theory design software, robotic mould-making, CNC machining, and pick-and-place production automation, six weeks or more can be saved, and a superior product supplied anywhere in the world.
“Regardless of whether or not we have the original vessel and engine data, we can reverse engineer any supplier’s prop and stern gear set-up. Subsequently, using the data we gather, we can accurately determine the vessel’s existing performance and understand what enhancements are available through our approach. The performance, efficiency, and longevity benefits differ from project to project but we’ve had customers gain as much as two knots in top line speed – just by replacing the boat’s original props with ours. We’ve also solved serious vibration and cavitation issues caused by fitting standard pattern or poorly designed props,” commented Mark Russell, managing director of CJR Propulsion and CJR Fabrication.
The service has specifically been developed to meet the needs of charter businesses, owners, and new build and refit yards, who need a high quality but timely solution to damage or performance issues – and it has already been utilised by several early adopters. In one instance, a UK-based superyacht owner was able to replace his damaged props in just 12 days, securing hundreds of thousands of pounds in charter revenue.
In addition to providing an unrivalled solution for when a prop is damaged, the service is also perfect for any boat that isn’t meeting its expected performance, where vibration or poor ride comfort are an issue or if a spare set of props are required in a hurry.
“We often get called in when a vessel’s existing props aren’t performing as intended. It could be the result of damage but, more often, it is simply that the props aren’t very good. Surprisingly, we still see superyacht and commercial vessels using standard pattern or cheaper Class 1 props. The result is typically poor performance, vibration or cavitation, so what looked like a saving is actually the opposite in the long run. Our new service is just as appropriate for these types of scenarios. If a vessel has just been delivered or is about to start its season, and things aren’t right, we can step in and fix the issues in a timeframe that the owner is likely to accept,” Russell concluded.