Propworks.com Helps Boaters Get Better Engine Performance on Less Fuel.Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers NORTH KINGSTOWN North Kingstown (kĭng`stən, kĭngz`toun'), town (1990 pop. 23,786), Washington co., S central R.I., on Narragansett Bay; inc. as Kings Towne 1674, divided into North Kingstown and South Kingstown 1723. , R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 2000 Propworks.com (http://www.propworks.com) is combining Internet technology with long-held maritime knowledge to help boaters get better fuel consumption and engine performance. "The heart of a power boat is its engine," says Kevin Correll, owner of Propworks.com. "If the engine is not properly matched to the propeller, it may be providing more bilge bilge n. 1. Nautical a. The rounded portion of a ship's hull, forming a transition between the bottom and the sides. b. The lowest inner part of a ship's hull. 2. Bilge water. 3. ballast than power. Also, and not so surprisingly, the engine guzzles more fuel than it would with a correctly sized propeller." Correll says the goal of Propworks.com is to help boaters and prospective boat owners correctly "size their propellers," or determine proper propeller sizes for their engines. "What can you do to better propel your boat and improve fuel consumption? The answer seems to be to simply size the propeller to the engine," says Correll. "But propeller sizing is anything but simple. In fact, propeller sizing has been considered by some to be a cross between the black arts and the lottery. There are a number of rules of thumb for sizing propellers, but unfortunately they are too general to be useful to most boat owners." Proper propeller sizing, explains Correll, involves selecting a number of interdependent variables requiring the use of mathematical skills and complex data tables long forgotten by the average yachtsman. So should boat owners give up hope of ever sizing their propellers to their engines? Definitely not, says Correll. "The complexity of these interdependent variables may be daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin to the average boater, but the number crunching Refers to computers running mathematical, scientific or CAD applications, which perform large amounts of calculations. See number cruncher. (application, jargon) number crunching power of today's computers allows us to quickly determine optimal propeller size." That's where Propworks.com comes in handy. Members enter specific vessel data into an online form on the Propworks.com site. Based on that information, the Propworks.com software returns customized propeller sizing recommendations, engine load analysis, and engine performance predictions. Members also receive warnings if their current propellers are significantly undersized undersized see dwarfism, runt. or oversized o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. . "The testimonials we receive indicate our members are extremely satisfied with the Propworks.com recommendations," says Correll. "Even experienced boaters find our service useful." Propworks.com is currently configured for inboard Built in. Inboard devices are built into the main unit. Contrast with outboard. See onboard. power boats -- with outboard Not built in. Outboard devices are external to the main unit. Contrast with inboard. See offboard. propeller sizing capability to be added later this fall. Along with its sizing services, the site explains propeller sizing and propeller anatomy in detail. A 30-day membership costs $35.00; members may use the service as often as they want during their membership period. For more information on Propworks.com, visit http://www.propworks.com. A sample analysis may be viewed at http://www.propworks.com/sample.htm. |
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