Diversifying ways to generate power onboard without using fossil fuels, and maximizing that power generation, is the holy grail of sailors who want energy independence, self-sufficiency, and a cleaner wake. Solar and wind are the most common and well practiced methods, but hydrogeneration—harnessing the power of your boat’s speed while sailing to generate juice via the spinning propeller—is gaining traction in today’s ever-evolving hybrid and electric systems.
Much of the focus on these systems is inside the boat rather than at the prop itself, and the typical propeller for hydrogeneration has been fixed blade—which, when under sail and not being used for hydrogeneration, increases drag and reduces sailing performance. But now GORI, the Danish propeller manufacturer, has developed the GORI Hybrid Propeller, which is specifically designed for this task while also optimizing performance. Based on the same platform as the company’s DAME Design Award-winning GORI 3-Blade Folding Propeller, the new wheel is the first folding prop that lets sailors seamlessly switch between sailing performance and regeneration modes, the company says in a media release.
“Using the GORI 3-Blade Propeller for regeneration is not new, customers have been using our original propeller for several years now, but it’s not optimised for this purpose,” says Lars Østergaard, senior vice president sales at GORI Propeller. “Extensive testing has been conducted both here in Haderslev, Denmark and with a manufacturer of electric propulsion. We are delighted with the results and it’s time for us to tell the world that effective regeneration with a folding propeller is possible!”
Announced last fall and available this year, the new propeller has an integrated locking system that keeps the blades open when regeneration is the goal; when performance is the priority, a mechanism releases the blades so they are folded, minimizing drag. Boathandling and maneuverability are the same as the standard 3-Blade Propeller.
The new prop will fit standard shafts and saildrives from 18 inches to 30 inches.
GORI is known for its performance props, and they’re the choice of top builders including X-Yachts, Hallberg-Rassy, Baltic, Oyster, and Hinckley. Fully 95% of the fleet racing in this year’s Vendée Globe chose GORI props because of their ability to minimize drag.
“When it’s folded up, there’s not a millimetre sticking out, so it’s really important for us to reduce drag as much as possible,” says Paul Meilhat, racing the IMOCA 60 Biotherm. “Despite the many violent impacts on our boats, it doesn’t move at all. On the IMOCA boats, we also have traction tests to validate; we have to develop a certain amount of power going forward, and the GORI Racing [propeller] easily passes them.”
For more, visit gori-propeller.com
January 2025
