The design of fishing vessel propellers needs to balance propulsion efficiency, maneuverability, and special operational requirements.This paper systematically analyzes the key design parameters of fishing vessel propellers（including diameter, disk ratio, material, hub ratio, rake angle, blade profile, number of blades, skew angle，etc）and their coordinated matching methods, while conducting an in-depth discussion on the ship-engine-propeller matching principle. It also elaborates in detail on the design process, optimization methodologies, and response strategies for special operating conditions of fishing vessel propellers, thereby providing comprehensive technical references for the design of fishing vessel propulsion systems.Studies have shown that special attention should be paid to characteristics such as trawling operating conditions, fishing net entanglement protection, and frequent speed change operations in the design of fishing vessel propellers; rational parameter matching can significantly improve the operational efficiency and reliability of fishing vessels.
1.Introduction
As important tools for fishery production, the performance of fishing vessels’ propulsion systems directly affects fishing efficiency and operational costs. Unlike conventional merchant ships, the design of fishing vessel propellers faces numerous special challenges: it needs to balance high-speed navigation and low-speed trawling operations, address the risk of fishing net entanglement, and adapt to frequent speed changes and steering maneuvers. Statistics show that optimally designed fishing vessel propellers can improve propulsion efficiency by 15-20% and reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%. This paper will systematically introduce the design characteristics, key parameter selection, and optimization methods of fishing vessel propellers, providing technical references for fishing vessel design.
2.Design features of fishing vessel propellers
2.1 Special Operating Conditions Requirements
The operating modes of fishing vessels are complex and variable, mainly including：
1）High-speed cruising condition: The navigation speed is usually 8 – 15 knots, which requires high propulsive efficiency.
2）Low-speed trawling condition: The navigation speed is 2 – 5 knots, which demands large thrust output.
3）Frequent speed change operations: The number of speed changes can reach 50 – 100 times a day.
4）Risk of fishing net entanglement: The propeller must be equipped with an anti-entanglement design.
2.2 Key Design Focuses
Based on the aforementioned characteristics, the design of fishing vessel propellers shall prioritize the following aspects：
- Multi-condition adaptability
- Anti-entanglement performance
- Speed change response capability
- Structural reliability
3.Analysis of Key Design Parameters
3.1 Diameter（D）
The selection of fishing vessel propeller diameter requires balancing multiple factors:：
- Medium-sized fishing vessels(24–40 meters): 1.2–0 meters
- Large-sized fishing vessels (40–60 meters): 2.0–0 meters
- Small-sized fishing vessels (<24 meters): 0.8–2 meters
Design Points：
1）Priority to trawling condition: Appropriately increase the diameter to enhance thrust.
2）Consideration of shallow water operations: Restrict the maximum diameter.
3）Anti-entanglement design: Increase the tip clearance.
3.4 Hub Diameter Ratio（d/D）
Design Characteristics of Hub Diameter Ratio for Fishing Vessel Propellers：
- Conventional design：18-0.22
- Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP)：22-0.25(to enhance structural strength)
- Anti-entanglement design: Adoption of a streamlined hub cap
3.7 Number of Blades Selection
Blade Number Configuration for Fishing Vessel Propellers：
- 3 blades: Small-sized high-speed fishing vessels
- 4 blades: Medium-sized multi-purpose fishing vessels
- 5 blades: Large-sized trawlers
- CPP: Usually 4–6 blades
3.2 Blade Area Ratio（BAR）
The typical range of BAR for fishing vessel propellers is 0.65–0.85：
- Trawlers: 0.75–0.85 (to enhance thrust)
- Purse seiners: 0.65–0.75 (to balance efficiency)
- Multi-purpose fishing vessels：0.70-0.80
3.5 Back Sweep Angle
Back Sweep Angle Design of Fishing Vessel Propellers：
- Standard design：8°-15°
- Anti-cavitation design：15°-20°
- Shallow-water fishing vessels：5°-10°（to prevent grounding
3.8 Skew Angle Design
Effects of Skew Angle on Fishing Vessel Propellers：
- Conventional design：25°-35°
- Noise reduction design：40°-50°
- Anti-entanglement design: Adoption of asymmetric skew
3.3 Material Selection
Common Materials and Their Characteristics：
1）Nickel-Aluminum Bronze（NAB）：
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Superior cavitation resistance
- Suitable for most fishing vessels
2）Stainless Steel：
- High strength
- Resistance to fishing net abrasion
- Relatively high cost
3）Composite Materials：
- Lightweight
- Excellent noise reduction performance
- High difficulty in maintenance
3.6 Blade Profile Design：
Blade Profile Characteristics of Fishing Vessel Propellers
1）Trawlers：
- Wide-chord blade root
- Tapered blade tip
- Reinforced blade leading/trailing edges
2）Purse Seiners：
- Symmetric airfoil
- Thin blade section
- Large skew design
4. Ship-Engine-Propeller Matching Technology
4.1 Main Engine Selection and Matching
Characteristics of Fishing Vessel Power Systems：
1）Power Range：
- Small-sized fishing vessels：100-500kW
- Medium-sized fishing vessels：500-2000kW
- Large-sized fishing vessels：2000-5000kW
2）Speed Matching：
- Fixed Pitch Propeller (FPP)：350-750rpm
- CPP：600-1200rpm
- Propeller speed matching is achieved through a gearbox
4.2 Application of Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP)
Advantages of CPP on Fishing Vessels：
1）Operating Condition Adaptability：
- Cruising Mode: Large pitch
- Trawling Mode: Small pitch
- Maneuvering Mode: Rapid adjustment
2）Typical Parameters：
- Pitch Variation Range: 0.7–1.3 times the designed pitch
- Adjustment Speed：3-5°/s
- Hydraulic System Pressure：150-200bar
4.3 Anti – Entanglement Design
Key Technical Measures：
1）Structural Design：
- Increased tip clearance
- Smooth hub cap shape
- Reduction of protruding components
2）Operational Strategies：
- Setting up a reverse rotation cleaning program
- Installing cutting devices
- Adopting fishing net detection sensors
5. Design Process and Methods
5.1 Design Process
The systematic design process of fishing vessel propellers：
1）Requirement Analysis Phase (2 – 3 weeks)：
- Investigating operation modes
- Determining speed and thrust requirements
- Confirming special requirements
2）Preliminary Design Phase (3–4 weeks)：
- Parameter calculation
- Scheme comparison and selection
- Preliminary CFD analysis
3）Detailed Design Phase (4–6 weeks)：
- 3D modeling
- Strength calculation
- Process design
4）Verification and Optimization Phase (4–8 weeks)：
- Cavitation test
- Vibration analysis
- Sea trial
5.2 Modern Design Methods
1）Application of CFD Technology：
- Full-operating-condition flow field simulation
- Cavitation prediction
- Optimal design
2）Model Tests：
- Towing tank test
- Self-propulsion test
- Cavitation observation
3）Digital Twin Technology：
- Real-time performance monitoring
- Fault early warning
- Maintenance optimization
6. Typical Case Analysis
6.1 Ocean-Going Trawler
Project Characteristics：
- Length overall (LOA):58 meters
- Main engine power: 3200kW
- Operating water depth: 200–1000 meters
Propeller Scheme：
- Type: 4-blade Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP)
- Diameter: 2.8 meters
- Blade Area Ratio (BAR)：82
- Material: Duplex Stainless Steel
- Special Design: Fishing Net Cutting Device
6.2 Coastal Purse Seiner
Project Characteristics：
- Length overall (LOA): 34 meters
- 1200kWMain engine power: 1200 kW
- Operating speed: 3–12 knots
Propeller Scheme：
- Type: 5-blade Fixed Pitch Propeller (FPP)
- Diameter: 2.1 meters
- Blade Area Ratio (BAR): 0.72
- Material: Nickel-Aluminum Bronze (NAB)
- Special Design: Large skew angle for noise reduction
7. Future Development Trends
7.1 Technology Innovation Directions
1）Intelligent Propellers：
- Adaptive adjustment
- Condition monitoring
- Efficiency optimization
2）New Materials：
- Composite materials
- Wear-resistant coatings
- Self-healing materials
3）Green Technologies：
- Energy-saving design
- Noise reduction solutions
- Environmentally friendly materials
7.2 Innovation in Design Methods
1）AI-based Optimization Design：
- Machine learning algorithms
- Multi-objective optimization
- Rapid scheme generation
2）Virtual Reality (VR) Technology：
- Design review
- Maintenance simulation
- Training application
8. Conclusion
The design of fishing vessel propellers is a comprehensive engineering technology that requires full consideration of special operational needs. By reasonably selecting design parameters, optimizing ship-engine-propeller matching, and adopting advanced design methods, the operational performance and economic benefits of fishing vessels can be significantly improved. In the future, with the development of new technologies, fishing vessel propellers will continue to evolve toward intelligence, high efficiency, and green sustainability.It is recommended that during the design process:
1）Attach importance to multi-condition analysis
2）Enhance anti-entanglement design
3）Apply digital technologies
4）Focus on life-cycle cost
This study provides a systematic technical reference for the design of fishing vessel propellers. Practice has shown that scientific design methods can increase the propeller’s efficiency by more than 15% and extend its service life by 20-30%, thereby delivering significant economic benefits.
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