Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

The world's first above water-line propeller system – Contrapel

by F2 Communications on 23 Oct 2012
The new Contrapel 330 Hybrid Drives fitted to a 10.2m Stabicraft rescue vessel. Externally it resembles a traditional water-jet, however internally the method for developing thrust has much more in common with conventional propeller systems. Freddy Foote
Marine propulsion research & development company, Contrapel Ltd has released details of its new propulsion system for boats – the system set to make future boats more economical, manoeuvrable, safer, stronger and better for the environment.

The high-speed propeller was invented over 170 years ago and has dominated the propulsion market ever since. Despite 60 years of development, water-jets have struggled to make significant inroads.

Shown to an enthusiastic marine industry for the first time at the recent Auckland On Water Boat Show, the Contrapel Hybrid Drive is about to change that. The system is so advanced that it carries out all the functions of both propellers and water-jets with none of the drawbacks of either.

'The Contrapel technology is a propeller system working above the waterline. Externally it resembles a traditional water-jet, however internally the method for developing thrust has much more in common with conventional propeller systems,' says Contrapel founder and Managing Director, Barry Davies.

The Contrapel drive uses a pair of contra-rotating, fully enclosed hybrid propellers, capable of operating above the water line. The mode of operation of the hybrid propellers is to accelerate the water from out of the intake (pick-up) duct and then discharge it through the outlet, requiring only enough backpressure downstream from the propellers to keep the system primed. This contrasts with the traditional jet, which does not accelerate the water until further downstream in the nozzle section, which requires the generation of high pressure.

The Contrapel Hybrid propellers produce lift in a similar way to open water propellers, by using slippage. The use of hybrid propellers enables the mass component for each revolution be maximized and the plume velocity to be minimized. This contrasts with the low mass per impeller revolution and high-plume velocities present in conventional high-speed water-jet designs.

According to Contrapel’s own on-water tests, the higher efficiency of the new system provides the following improvements compared with boats that are equipped with traditional jet drive installations:

1) Vastly improved thrust at low and mid speeds
2) Better fuel economy at low and mid speeds due to vastly improved control.
3) Highly survivable and operable in extreme conditions, including brown and black-water environments.
4) Will lower global marine carbon footprint
5) Significantly lower noise and vibration levels

'Unlike the propeller however, it’s a complete solution for the entire global industry, since it’s scalable to all sizes and works equally well above or below the water line.'



The rotating speeds of the hybrid propellers are also very low, which generates low noise and little wake turbulence. The Contrapel Hybrid Drive boasts 'propeller-like' thrusts at all speeds, but unlike propellers the Contrapel Hybrid Drive propellers are enclosed in a stainless steel tube that is screened to ensure objects cannot be ingested. This means that animal life; people and fragile seascapes are protected from damage.

'All propeller systems are limited by virtue of the exposed nature of their rotating blades. Outboards, stern-drives, surface piercers, shaft-drives etc. are a liability when operating in unknown and shallow waters - one strike and the craft is out of action.

Exposed propellers are a danger to civilians and trained operators in the water and are extremely vulnerable to propeller strike with objects floating under the water line or on the surface. Contrapel eliminates all of those risks and liabilities.'

Where the Contrapel Hybrid Drive also excels are the benefits over high-speed water-jets. The system has a high tolerance to wear caused by small particles in the water, equating to minimal performance loss due to damage or wear.

'Compared with all high-speed water-jets and propellers, expensive maintenance is considerably less.'

Currently tested in 190mm, 270mm and 330mm diameter configurations, the Contrapel Hybrid Drive is able to suit a variety of marine propulsion applications, and will work on smaller leisure craft right through to military vessels, shipping, work boats, dredging vessels and will even work for underwater submarines.

'The Contrapel Hybrid Drive system is completely scaleable and will offer entirely new ways to solve problems encountered in just about every sphere of the marine industry.'

One of the world’s leading boat manufacturers, New Zealand’s Stabicraft Marine have been involved in the development of the Contrapel Hybrid Dive, and in conjunction with Contrapel Ltd have fitted two Contrapel 330 units to a 10.2m Supercab rescue vessel.

Powered by twin Volvo-Penta D6 435hp engines, the Stabicraft 10.2m weighs 8 tonnes and carries 750litres of fuel. It can achieve a fast cruise of 29.7 knots @ 3030rpm and reach a top speed of 37knots @ 3500rpm.

For more visit: http://www.contrapel.com

Rolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignSea Sure 2025

Related Articles

SailGP's return to Auckland for Season 6 confirmed
ITM is the NZ's Grand Prix's Title Partner, marking a fourth year supporting Black Foils. After a record breaking debut, the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Auckland has been confirmed to be returning in 2026 and is set to be bigger than ever.
Posted on 26 Jun
Rolex SailGP Championship 2026 dates confirmed
Including a return to fan-favorite destination, Auckland SailGP has released further details of forthcoming 2026 Season, including the return of fan-favorite locations, multi-year hosting agreements secured across all regions, and an evolved regional structure to raise the stakes for athletes and fans alike.
Posted on 26 Jun
BOISW - New Committee announced for 2026
New Committee working hard behind the scenes to rework the 2026 Bay of Islands Sailing Week . A newly appointed committee is already working hard behind the scenes to rework the 2026 Bay of Islands Sailing Week event while honouring the traditions that have made it so special to the sailing community.
Posted on 26 Jun
Pip Hare Announced as Patron of WORLDSTAR 2026
A meaningful return to her roots with the Royal Western Yacht Club of England The Royal Western Yacht Club (RWYC) is absolutely delighted to welcome solo ocean racing legend Pip Hare as the Patron of WORLDSTAR 2026—our flagship round-the-world sailing event. This is more than a title; it's a homecoming.
Posted on 26 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 7
British mixed dominance in dinghy and catamaran After the second day of the Sailing Grand Slam in the Olympic mixed classes, Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris are leading the 470 class even more dominantly than John Gimson and Anna Burnet in the Nacra 17 on Thursday (June 26).
Posted on 26 Jun
29th Superyacht Cup Palma day 1
Cervo and Open Season take opening day honours The Superyacht Cup Palma 2025 swung into action today, with captains and crews across the varied and inspiring fleet seizing the opportunity to take the measure of the competition out on the racecourse.
Posted on 26 Jun
J/70 Mixed-Plus Worlds at Lake Garda Day 1
Yupi leads after a perfect opening day in Torbole Lake Garda delivered its finest conditions for the opening day of the first-ever J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship: three races completed in a steady, warm Ora breeze peaking at 20 knots.
Posted on 26 Jun
Tschüss 2 - Transatlantic Titans
Line Honours for Christian Zugel's Volvo 70 in the Transatlantic Race 2025 Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA), owned by Christian Zugel and co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, has taken Line Honours in the West to East Transatlantic Race 2025 in an elapsed time of 07 Day 15 Hrs 29 Mins and 10 Secs.
Posted on 26 Jun
Craig Wood Makes History
The first triple amputee to sail solo non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific Craig is the first triple amputee to sail solo non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific, completing the 7506nm journey from Mexico to Japan in 90 days.
Posted on 26 Jun
NTG Global Graduate Program
Shape your career and propel yourself into the world of innovation North Technology Group, a global leader in advanced composite technology, is offering an exciting and dynamic graduate program that will shape your career and propel you into the world of innovation.
Posted on 26 Jun