Waterjets Vs Propellers

Waterjets versus Propellers Camarc Ltd design Pilots Boats with both waterjet and propeller propulsion. Operators often ask us, which is best? We have about half of our designs with each, so we can claim to be objective. We can clear up the best issue; answer neither, just different pros and cons. There is not always a clear answer but we will try to explain how we come to our conclusions. We assume correct waterjet model or propeller selection, i.e. good waterjet vs. good propeller. This can be an involved subject, but we are presenting an overview here, so we will address the main points only. Always refer to us for performance or application advice on our designs. Hull Design; We are only talking about our hull designs, these are double chine and happen to have a resistance profile without a significant hump at around 14-16 knots (some hulls do) which is a desirable feature for waterjet propulsion. They are equally suited for jet or propeller propulsion.

22 Knot , Twin Propeller

Application; For speeds up to 25 knots, propellers should be more efficient than jets. If your cruising speed is lower than 20 knots, use propellers. If you want 28-30 knots, use waterjets. Jets will not be effective on a heavy craft. This comes back to the speed question. We have not fitted jets to any of our fast steel Pilot or Patrol Boats which have speeds of about 20 knots. Waterjets are sometimes compared to propellers by diameter, nozzle vs. prop diameter. We think the jet comes out slightly ahead of the prop in this comparison but it highlights the application factors. You might use twin 650mm (26) jets on a 22m (72) boat, but not twin propellers of that diameter; they might be 900mm (36) diameter. If the regular cruising speed of your boat falls into the speed range of 22 -28 knots you have a serious choice. At around 22 knots you are justifying choosing jets, at 28+ knots you are justifying propellers. The waterjet absorbs power from the main engine pretty well independent of boat speed. This is fundamentally different from propellers, which will rapidly overload (or hold engine rpm back) if power is applied and boat speed restrained. This is not a particular drawback on Pilot Boats which rarely encounter this. Waterjets are not inexpensive and we take the view that Pilot Boats need to err on the side of fitting the next model up from the one that you might just get away with. This makes for more cost, but it pays in the long (or even medium) term as with a little wear and tear plus weight growth and fouling your jet boat could loose performance rapidly if you have skimped on size. The handling of a jet boat is very different to a conventional screw boat and crew training is vital. Once trained (and it need not take long) they will be able to do things with the jet boat they could not do with the prop boat. Lack of proper crew training equals trouble!

32 Knot , Triple Waterjet (sister hull)

The jet absorbs the thrust (not the gearbox), and the fact that the jet controls are used to do much of the close quarter steering and ahead/astern makes the jet do much of the work of the gearbox on a conventional drive craft. This means less stress on the engine/gearbox, however the stress does not go away, the jet takes it (and generally copes well) Summary; Waterjets; Pros; maneuverability, protected, safety, less stress on engine/transmission. Waterjets; Cons; cost, lower efficiency at low speed. Propellers, Pros; cost, higher efficiency at low speed, less on board systems. Propellers, Cons; vurnable to external damage, less safe with casualty in water, less kind to transmission and engine. So there is no one overall answer, the case has to be made for each application. You will weigh the factors differently as they apply to you. You can see from the Camarc website how our designs are configured. For all Camarc designs advice on your propulsion options comes free.

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St Julians Hall, 68 Brighton Road, Shoreham, Sussex, BN43 6RG, UK Tel: +44(0) 1273 593096 Fax: +44(0)1273 593086 E-mail: sales@camarc.com