Marine

Hyper-efficient loopy outboard propeller drops 50% in price

Hyper-efficient loopy outboard propeller drops 50% in price
Sharrow Marine launches the new AX prop for small outboard engines
Sharrow Marine launches the new AX prop for small outboard engines
View 3 Images
Sharrow Marine launches the new AX prop for small outboard engines
1/3
Sharrow Marine launches the new AX prop for small outboard engines
Sharrow's propellers eliminate noisy, efficiency-dropping tip vortices for more focused propulsion
2/3
Sharrow's propellers eliminate noisy, efficiency-dropping tip vortices for more focused propulsion
The tip vortices created by a typical marine propeller reduce efficiency and performance while increasing noise and vibration
3/3
The tip vortices created by a typical marine propeller reduce efficiency and performance while increasing noise and vibration
View gallery - 3 images

Nautical disruptor Sharrow Marine has been hard at work fast-expanding its lineup of innovative twisted-loop propellers, releasing tweaked models for new applications while also ramping up overall production. A year ago, that work saw it launch the MX-A propeller for smaller outboards, effectively cutting pricing by more than half compared to previous launches. Now it's doing it again with the AX, smashing downward through the four-figure floor for the first time with a propeller designed for even smaller outboards and kicker motors. Buyers seeking to put the company's striking, efficiency-boosting loop-blades to work can now do so for well under $1K.

Officially introduced on Tuesday, the all-new Sharrow AX propeller follows the MX-A in using a lightweight aluminum construction that delivers corrosion-resistant performance without the expense of stainless steel. Unlike with the MX-A. The AX slides below the targeted 40-hp+ market of the MX-A and is designed specifically for small outboards ranging between 6 and 30 hp.

"With the launch of the Sharrow AX, we’re proud to introduce our technology to the small-engine market," said founder and CEO Greg Sharrow. "Whether used as a primary prop on a small outboard or as an auxiliary kicker for trolling, the AX offers smoother handling, quieter operation and unmatched fuel efficiency."

The tip vortices created by a typical marine propeller reduce efficiency and performance while increasing noise and vibration
The tip vortices created by a typical marine propeller reduce efficiency and performance while increasing noise and vibration

Sharrow has long stated its specially formed propellers offer efficiency improvements up to 30% over traditional props and noise reduction as high as 80%, providing smoother, quieter performance all over the water. They do so by greatly reducing the tip vortices and cavitation that standard propeller blades create. Sharrow propellers are also designed to improve maneuverability and control.

The reviews we've seen on previous Sharrow releases from sources like BoatTest and Boating Magazine have been largely positive. As is to be expected, actual on-water performance, efficiency gains and optimal RPM ranges vary, with some reporting efficiency improvements closer to 10% or less than 30%. But from what we've read and watched, efficiency gains, quieter operation, reduced vibration, smooth, stable handling, improved planing and enhanced maneuverability are commonly reported.

Sharrow's propellers eliminate noisy, efficiency-dropping tip vortices for more focused propulsion
Sharrow's propellers eliminate noisy, efficiency-dropping tip vortices for more focused propulsion

Of course, there's still that US$1,600 to $5,000 price tag to contend with. Recouping that investment on a recreational boat is going to be a long road, no matter how you cut it. So are the performance, handling and noise-reducing benefits worth the spend?

That'll be a question to which answers vary widely on a case-by-case basis and often inspire an immediate, resounding "NO!!"

The good news is, Sharrow has been continually dragging the price tag down, working with new materials, releasing new model variants aimed at less expensive outboards, and expanding production and distribution. The AX is ultimately aimed at fishing and general recreational boats, and at $795 to $995, is Sharrow's least expensive propeller yet ... by a long shot.

Of course, that pricing is relative, and while the base AX price is right around 50% lower than the $1,595+ MX-A, the 6- to 30-hp outboard and the smaller boat powered by it, will also be well less expensive than the motors and vessels on which the MX-A finds use. So that $795 will seem like a much larger cost than it would for the owner of a larger, more powerful boat.

So will Sharrow gain a few more "Yes" responses with its latest prop? Time will tell.

The AX is available to order directly from Sharrow now for Mercury and Yamaha outboards that fall in the targeted horsepower range. Lead time is estimated at six to eight weeks.

Source: Sharrow Marine

View gallery - 3 images
7 comments
7 comments
Nobody
There are plastic props out there so why can't this design be made in plastic? As I recall the original data, the new design wasn't that more efficient unless used at certain speed ranges. Big boat and high usage, maybe, but small weekend boat, I don't think so.
paul314
Seems to me that this kind of design will be more attractive as electrics become more of the boating motor market. There the advantage of smaller motors, longer range or smaller, lighter battery packs is going to be more visible, rather than just spending a little less for gas for the now-oversized components you already have.
Troublesh00ter
Any reason why props like these couldn't be 3-D printed, using appropriate construction media?
Capt Ryan
It can't be made in plastic because they own the patents and don't want to. Their manufacturing business.odek is by design flawed. They don't manufacture them. They take an order then farm it out one at a time to various machine shops With nice 5 axis CNC mills. They are single orders. Those go to the back of the queue and take weeks or months for the around THEN they send the prop to the customer. Customer service/sales model is HORRIBLE. They needed to buy their own machines and produce themselves. Just outsourcing everything for manufacturing doubles the cost. They SHOULD have just placed stock orders for the dozens of all the various "generic" diameter and pitch sizes. Take an order, fulfill the order in a day. Customer has it on the boat in less than a week. I know customers waiting OVER A YEAR for a simple order for a $4k prop. That's insanity. Great idea. Zero business sense. They're now TRYING to build their own production machine shop. Don't hold your breath. Still 4-5x what their worth.
Capt Jerry
Are these just made for little outboards? Seems like the market would be larger boats with twin V8s. That's where even a 10% improvement would pay out. (For the price, I'm not sure where the break even point would be for boats with multiple outboards.)
highlandboy
#Troublesh00ter, 3D printing tends to produce rough castings. For propellers a 20% deduction if output would significantly erode any efficiency gains made by the design.
Techutante
At high RPM plastic would hit a tiny bit of kelp or a twig or something and shred in seconds. Have you people even been on the ocean? It's not forgiving. Maybe you could get away with plastic for your little pond skiff.