Chapter 1: Propellers and Shafts
pockets should retain their full depth about
Figure 1-6. Deep propeller tunnels
Incorrect pockets can generate consid-
erable noise. The most common problem is
that the pockets are too short fore-and-
aft, with an abrupt entry where they start
forward. The result is interrupted water
flow into the upper portion of the prop
disk. In other words, the upper portions
of the bladeswhen they reach the top of
their rotationmomentarily see somewhat
restricted water inflow compared with the
rest of the blades. This causes uneven load-
ing and thus vibration.
P OCKET P ROPORTION R ECOMMENDATIONS
When you are installing shallow pockets or
are looking at vibration problems in a boat
with pockets, review the pocket geometry.
The pocket entry should probably be longer
than you think. As a rough rule of thumb, I
like at least a 7:1 slope on the entry. The
one prop diameter forward of the propeller
before the taper starts (Figure 1-7). If the
pocket is recessed into the hull about
9 inches (228 mm) at the prop, and the prop
has a 25-inch (635 mm) diameter, then the
pocket ought to remain constant in cross
section until 25 inches (635 mm) forward of
the prop. Then it should taper gradually
through a distance of 63 inches (1.6 m) for-
ward of that9 in. 7 = 63 in., or 228 mm
7 = 1,596 mm (1.6 m). Pocket and tunnel
design is a whole subject in itself, so this
recommendation is just a rule-of-thumb
guide. It is a reasonable marker for a possi-
ble problem, however.
Figures 1-8A and 1-8B show an aluminum
ferry that required repowering work. This
vessel had suffered from severe vibration
because the pockets had been designed
too short and with too little propeller tip
clearance. The captain explained that the
vibration had been so severe that welds had
broken. Installing smaller-diameter propellers
with higher DARs couldnt fully correct this
built-in defect, but it did make a noticeable
improvement.
SMALLER PROP DIAMETER AND MORE BLADE
FOR P OCKET P ROBLEMS If youve got a
problem caused by too short a pocket, one
possible solution, again, is to go to a
smaller-diameter prop with more blade area
and wider blades. The additional blades will Figure 1-7.
raise the frequency and smooth out the Recommended
pocket proportions
7
PART ONE: DRIVETRAIN INSTALLATIONS

Figure 1-8A. tunnel corners at the same time, which can

Pocket viewed
from the stern
(rear)
vibration, and the smaller diameter should
reduce the portion of blades in interrupted
water flow.
P OCKET- OR T UNNEL -E DGE A LIGNMENT TO
THE PROPELLER Another thing to check in a
pocket or tunnel is the geometry in section.
You want to ensure that two blades dont
line up with the pocket or tunnel corners at
the same time. For instance, if a prop were
tucked up exactly halfway into a tunnel, you
wouldnt want to use a 4-bladed wheel,
because two blades would line up with the
cause vibration. Instead, use a 3- or 5-bladed
prop (probably 5 for adequate blade area).
Other vertical prop locations and tunnel
configurations might line up with a 3-blader
or a 5-blader. Such alignments should be
avoided.
Some deep pockets with V-shaped cross
sections pose another potential pitfall. The
V shape can have the blades approach closest
to the underbody (minimum tip clearance)
twice instead of once (Figure 1-10). This dou-
bles the potential tip noise. Once again, a
smaller-diameter prop with more blades
(maintaining adequate blade area) is the
answer.
V-STRUTS AND POCKETS Still another diffi-
culty with a pocket or tunnel is the strut.
Keep in mind that the pocket or tunnel
already restricts water flow, at least to some
degree. For this reason, I dont like to use
V-struts in pockets or tunnels; I prefer I-struts
(also called P-struts). This introduces one
less strut leg to further restrict water flow
and cause vibration. Struts are discussed in
Chapter 2.

Figure 1-8B.
Pocket viewed
from starboard.
The arrow indi-
cates the forward
end of the tunnel,
which is too short
on this boat

8

Figure 1-10. V-section tunnel
Chapter 1: Propellers and Shafts
Figure 1-9. Pocket
or tunnel depth
PROPELLER SHAFTS:
DIAMETER, BEARING
SPACING, AND
BEARINGS
Of course, the propeller shaft itself has to be
properly sized and supported. Too little diam-
eter causes shaft whip and vibration, while
too much diameter is waste. The simplest
and roughest rule of thumb is that the shaft
should be one-fourteenth the propeller diam-
eter. In fact, this is pretty closeso much so