Sharrow prop

[My Iggy]

I just ordered the SS Sharrow prop at a staggering cost of $3325.00, for my 25 ft C-Dory & 175 hp Suzsuki.

Has anyone had the nerve to try one on thier C-Dory yet?
Or am I the guinea pig for this new costly adventure.

I put 2460 miles on my boat this past year from Anacortas, WA. to Alaska.
My average fuel burn was 2.3 mpg for the trip.
I plan on spending more time and a lot more miles in 2026 for this trip again.

This was my first year with the new to me 2005 25 C-Dory ( My Iggy ) of which i learned on how to spend more money on the upgrades ect. i learned from all of you at the 2025 C-Brats get togeather..
Hope to see all of you again in2026,,,, Dennis

 

[Clewless]

Yes. I purchased a Sharrow MX series for the Honda BF90 on my '86 Angler. Sharrow first requests some data for your particular boat and engine and works from that. I supplied them with the data from my last prop (Solas Amita 13.25' x 13, 4 blade). I received it late in the season and conditions weren't the best to get good data. My objectives were to reduce noise, slightly better mileage, support a US business with a new design and to be the conversation starter at the dock. Noise—very slightly reduced.
Mileage—not enough data to tell, however was on plane at lower RPM.
Support a US business—yes it was expensive compared to other props, (yes one can go into the ROI for propellers and then compare that to the ROI on fishing gear).
Conversation starter—Yes
Overall I felt as though control was better (I have trim tabs and permatrim already)
The reverse is supercharged, very strong and controlled.

 

[ssobol]

From what I read, the Sharrow prop can provide some benefit in mid RPM ranges. However, for most users, the ROI takes a very long time. IME, the shoal depth of the C-Dory encourages getting the boat into situations where other boats will not go. Sometimes this doesn't work out as well as one anticipates. In that case I find that having a sacrificial prop is a good thing to have. Going with a plane jane AL prop vs. a SS prop or a fancy alternative is the better choice IMO. $3325 will buy a lot of AL props.

 

[My Iggy]

Yes. I purchased a Sharrow MX series for the Honda BF90 on my '86 Angler. Sharrow first requests some data for your particular boat and engine and works from that. I supplied them with the data from my last prop (Solas Amita 13.25' x 13, 4 blade). I received it late in the season and conditions weren't the best to get good data. My objectives were to reduce noise, slightly better mileage, support a US business with a new design and to be the conversation starter at the dock. Noise—very slightly reduced.
Mileage—not enough data to tell, however was on plane at lower RPM.
Support a US business—yes it was expensive compared to other props, (yes one can go into the ROI for propellers and then compare that to the ROI on fishing gear).
Conversation starter—Yes
Overall I felt as though control was better (I have trim tabs and permatrim already)
The reverse is supercharged, very strong and controlled.

Thanks for the feed back on your Sharrow prop. ( and I am not number 1 )
You pretty much confirmed what Sharrow claims in performance advantages.
I went with the SS over the Aluminum, as it is repairable and aluminum is not.
As for ROI, I will probably never see it. But better reverse control, lower on plane RPM's and maybe fuel economy will be a plus for me.
I also have trim tabs and permatrim and carry a Aluminum spare prop for the shallow water areas as needed as noted by SoBELLE.

 

[starcrafttom]

Following this. Please post numbers for mpg and such when you get enough info. I have been following the Sharrow props for some time. If i get my dream motor I will add Sharrow prop to it. But that is a ways off.

 

[My Iggy]

My next long adventure for good information will start in May 2026 back to Alaska.
I will give a report after this trip.... Keeping my fingers crossed on good results....
Dennis

 

[Schuster]

My next long adventure for good information will start in May 2026 back to Alaska.
I will give a report after this trip.... Keeping my fingers crossed on good results....
Dennis

Dennis, on your first Alaska trip, what was your normal cruise speed on your trip north and then while you were in Alaska. How long did you take to make that trip? Did you keep track of your total fuel consumption and engine hours starting at Friday Harbor/Anachortes? I'll really be curious to see how the Sharrow prop performs. Its almost like a 6 blade prop, very interesting design.

 

[ssobol]

The toroidal propeller was invented in the 1890s. If they are as great as they are made out to be, why aren't they more common?

 

[starcrafttom]

invented in the 1890s.. Might have just been to hard to build at the time. I have been keeping a eye on them and reading all the test results and long story short it all depend on what you want from your boat. If you are looking for top speed, which most boater do want, then a sharrow is not for you. They do not out perform stock props at the top end. They do not really under preform either at top speed. BUT they do get you on plane far sooner then a standard prop and with less slip. By doing that you are out of the water and drag sooner and get better mpg. Far less Nosie to. So if mid speed performance ( cruising) and mpg is what you are looking to improve and you put a lot of hours on a heavy boat then I think they could well be worth the money. So quick math for my boat use. 200 hr a year at 20mph is 4000 miles at 2mpg is 2000 gallons at $3.50 ( on good day) is $7000 . So the same thing at 3mph is only $4666. So a savings of $2334 a year. So it will pay for its self in two years and you get better performance and less noise. So to me that is worth it. Some boats at cruise get even better improvement some less but I have yet to see boat get worth numbers from a sharrow at cruise speed. top speed seem to all equal out.