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Jan 24, 2024

France Hélices : All the know

A key element for the propulsion of a motorboat or a sailboat in auxiliary

A key element for the propulsion of a motorboat or a sailboat in auxiliary system, the propeller is not chosen at random. France Hélices, a French company founded by Paul Bezzi in 1977, is involved from the very beginning of boat projects to define, with the shipyards and architects, the right propeller. Its design office recommends the right characteristics and dimensions, whether it is the number of blades, pitch or diameter, according to the hull, the speed, the engine, the reduction ratio and the boat's displacement.

Once these data are validated, a blade model is printed using the 3D file. This model is then used to make the mold necessary to manufacture the propeller itself. Depending on the use of the boat, different alloys will be used, mainly in high resistance brass or copper-aluminium. We then obtain a propeller called "rough casting", which remains to be worked.

The France Hélices team then starts machining the parts using modern machining centers. The operation starts with the machining of the propeller cone which will receive the shaft. The blades are then machined with a degree of finish that depends on their use. A finish is made by grinding.

Here comes a key element of the propeller maker's know-how, the balancing. It is a matter of making sure that the material is evenly distributed in the different blades and that the center of gravity of the propeller is well located in its center. If not, the unbalanced propeller could cause an unbalanced effect and damage the entire shaft line, and endanger the boat in the long run. The propeller is then marked to be traceable and shipped to the customer after a final check of the dimensions and characteristics.

The life of a propeller is not easy, it can be damaged, especially by shocks and impacts. A twisted blade, even partially broken, is not condemned. France Hélices will be able to rely on its expertise to repair and rebalance the propeller. An important service for boaters. From new to repair, France Hélices will meet the propulsion needs of the boater. It is important to know that a well-maintained fixed propeller can last more than 30 years.