Marine Propeller Specialists
Expert propeller design and consulting services for engineers and vessel owners who demand performance, efficiency, and reliability.
Custom propeller design optimised for your vessel's hull form, engine characteristics, and operating profile. From concept to final specification.
In-depth analysis of propulsive efficiency, cavitation risk, and thrust characteristics to ensure your vessel meets its performance targets.
Expert guidance across all aspects of marine propulsion — from new builds and retrofits to troubleshooting existing systems.
Use our online tool to get an initial propeller size estimate based on your vessel parameters — fast, accurate, and free to use.
Technical depth and rigorous analysis tools for naval architects, marine engineers, and shipyard professionals working on complex propulsion challenges.
Plain-language guidance and practical solutions for commercial and recreational vessel owners looking to optimise performance.
Input your vessel parameters and get an immediate propeller size estimate. No sign-up required — just accurate, engineer-grade results in seconds.
For Engineers
We work alongside naval architects, marine engineers, and shipyard professionals — bringing specialist propeller expertise to your most demanding design challenges.
At Puffin Marine Design, we understand the pressures of professional engineering work. Deadlines are tight, specifications are demanding, and the margin for error is slim. Our job is to give you the propulsion data and design support you need — fast and with confidence.
Whether you're working on a new build, a repower, or investigating an underperforming vessel, we bring the depth of analysis required to move from uncertainty to specification.
Detailed open water diagram production and KT/KQ analysis to characterise propeller performance across the full operating range.
Systematic evaluation of cavitation inception and extent, with design modifications to mitigate erosion and noise risks.
Wake field analysis and propeller design optimised for the specific wake contour of your vessel's hull form.
Full blade geometry specification including section profiles, pitch distribution, rake, skew, and expanded area ratio.
Propeller-induced thrust and torque fluctuation analysis to inform shaft and bearing design criteria.
Guidance on alloy selection, casting tolerances, and surface finish requirements for manufacture and classification approval.
We gather hull lines, engine data, operating profile, and any existing trial results or sea keeping data.
Systematic resistance prediction and propulsive coefficient estimation to define the design point and speed-power curve.
Iterative optimisation of diameter, pitch, blade number, and blade area ratio against the design criteria.
Full blade geometry drawings, manufacturing specification, and technical report suitable for classification society submission.
Get in touch to talk through your requirements with our team.
For Vessel Owners
Whether you own a commercial workboat, fishing vessel, or motor yacht — the right propeller makes a measurable difference to your fuel costs, speed, and reliability.
A propeller matched to your engine's power curve and hull resistance can significantly reduce fuel consumption — often by 10–20% on vessels with mismatched propellers.
Achieve your target speed without over-loading or under-loading the engine. The right propeller lets your vessel perform as designed.
An improperly matched propeller puts unnecessary strain on your engine and drive train. Correct specification extends service life and reduces maintenance costs.
We speak plain language, not just engineering jargon. You'll understand exactly what we're recommending and why.
A classic sign of an over-pitched or over-sized propeller. We can find the right pitch to free up your engine.
Cavitation, blade damage, or propeller imbalance can cause vibration and noise. We identify the cause and recommend the appropriate fix.
If your fuel consumption seems excessive for the speed you're achieving, your propeller may be part of the problem.
Changed your engine? Your existing propeller is almost certainly no longer the right match. We'll specify a new one suited to your updated powertrain.
Getting propeller selection right from the start avoids costly changes later. We work with you and your builder to ensure the correct propeller is fitted first time.
Share basic details — hull type, length, displacement, engine make and power, and what you're trying to achieve.
Our engineers run the numbers and come back to you with a clear recommendation, explained in plain terms.
With the right propeller fitted, you'll notice the difference immediately — in fuel use, speed, and smooth running.
Start with our free Propeller Sizing Tool — it only takes a couple of minutes.
Online Tool
Enter your vessel and engine parameters to get an indicative propeller diameter and pitch estimate based on established naval architecture methods.
Note: This tool provides indicative estimates only, based on simplified methods. Results should be treated as a starting point — contact us for a full engineering analysis before making any purchasing decisions.
Hull & Speed
Engine & Drive
Fill in the vessel parameters and click Calculate to see your propeller sizing estimate.
These are indicative results. Contact us for a full propeller design analysis.
This tool uses simplified Bp-δ diagram methods and empirical corrections commonly used in preliminary propeller sizing.
Power available for propulsion is estimated from engine shaft power, accounting for mechanical losses and the number of shafts.
A simplified wake fraction is applied based on hull type to estimate the effective advance speed seen by the propeller disc.
Maximum diameter is constrained by the shaft immersion depth and a tip clearance allowance to avoid hull interaction.
Pitch-to-diameter ratio is estimated from the advance coefficient at the design operating point, calibrated for hull type.