A tool used to determine the efficiency of a propeller on a Mercury outboard motor, this application compares theoretical boat speed to actual boat speed. For instance, if calculations predict a boat should travel at 30 knots with a given propeller and engine speed, but it only achieves 27 knots, there’s measurable inefficiency. This difference is expressed as a percentage and represents energy lost due to factors like propeller slippage and hull resistance.
Accurate assessment of propulsive efficiency is critical for optimizing boat performance and fuel economy. By identifying slippage, boat owners can select the most suitable propeller for their specific vessel and operating conditions. This process can lead to significant improvements in speed, fuel consumption, and overall boating experience. Historically, determining this efficiency relied on manual calculations and approximations. Dedicated computational tools have streamlined this process, making accurate analysis more accessible.
