Post date: Sep 28, 2015 4:56:15 PM
When researching different modifications to reduce wake production so far, the team has examined different types of boat hulls and trim tabs that will reduce wake but hasn't researched much regarding propellers. Even though we haven't found much yet, the information that we have currently seems extremely useful for this project.
Different physical details of a propeller determine how much wake it produces. The propeller's diameter plays a key role in the velocity at which the boat travels. Larger propellers create more rotational inertia, which slows down the boat; boats intended for slower travel typically have larger propellers than those that are meant for higher speeds. Most of the boats in Venice are designed for high-speed travel, therefore it would not be abnormal for them to have smaller propellers.
Propellers also play a role in a boat's pitch, or how far the boat travels per one revolution of the propeller. Boats travelling at lower speeds should have lower pitch numbers because it would result in higher engine RPMs relative to the boats speed, which would result in the better performance of lower-speed boats. Other details about a propeller also affect wake production, but in smaller, less-noticeable ways. Modifying the anatomy of the boat propellers, in addition to the hull modifications and trim tabs, should decrease the amount of wake the boat produces overall and make travelling around the city more efficient for boat operators.
Annabella Goncalves