Catamaran · 15 documented fitments
Propeller upgrade for the Broadblue 385 — what fits, what changes.
Drawn from 15 documented Broadblue 385 fitments: the common setup is an Autoprop H5 around 442 mm behind the Volvo Penta D1-30. Typical result: 300–400 fewer RPM at cruise and up to 20% fuel saved over fixed pitch.
The fitment card
Documented engine variants & what they wear
Aggregated from 15 real installations — not a size chart, a service record.
| Engine | Power / max RPM | Drive | Typical ratio | Documented propeller | Rotation | Records |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo Penta D1-30 | 29 hp / 3200 | Saildrive | 2.19:1 | Autoprop H5 · 442 mm | Left-hand | 7 |
| Volvo Penta D1-20 | 18 hp / 3200 | Shaft & saildrive | 2.19:1 | Autoprop H20 | Left-hand | 3 |
| Yanmar 3YM30 | 29 hp / 3600 | Saildrive | 2.64:1 | Autoprop H5 | Left-hand | 2 |
| Yanmar 3YM30AE | 29 hp / 3200 | Saildrive | 2.64:1 | Autoprop H5 | Left-hand | 2 |
| Beta Marine 20 | 20 hp / 3600 | Saildrive | 2.14:1 | Autoprop H5 | Left-hand | 1 |
Indicative only — gearboxes and apertures vary between years and repowers, which is why every supplied propeller is verified against your boat first. Data current as of 2026.
Your numbers
What the change feels like on a Broadblue 385
Indicative curves for this size of boat — drag the cruise line. The independent-test pattern: the same six knots on several hundred fewer RPM, with the fuel flow following.
Worth knowing
Considerations for the Broadblue 385
- Shaft and saildrive variants exist across model years — the APS saildrive series covers the latter; check which yours is before comparing quotes.
- Twin drivetrains are supplied as handed pairs (LH & RH) so both sides behave identically in close-quarters work — and any gain is doubled across two engines.
- 5 engine variants are documented for this model — repowers included. Sizing follows your engine and ratio, not the year in the brochure.
- Tip clearance rules the maximum diameter — roughly 10–15% of prop diameter to the hull. The Builder asks; we verify before supply.
Broadblue 385 propeller questions
What size propeller does a Broadblue 385 take?
Documented Broadblue 385 installations most commonly run an Autoprop H5 around 442 mm, matched to the Volvo Penta D1-30 on a saildrive drive. Exact size depends on your engine, gearbox ratio and aperture — every recommendation is verified by an engineer before supply.
Will an Autoprop fit my saildrive Broadblue 385?
Yes — saildrive installations are documented for this model, using the APS saildrive variants with the appropriate spline and anodes. Tell us your drive model (e.g. Volvo 130S, Yanmar SD25) and we confirm the fitment.
How much fuel would a Broadblue 385 save with an Autoprop?
Typical savings over a fixed-pitch propeller are up to 20% at cruise (documented band 15–30%, honestly less if you already run a folding or feathering prop). Put your engine hours and diesel price into the fuel calculator for your own numbers — then the Builder for a verified recommendation.
My Broadblue 385 has a different engine than shown — does the data still help?
Yes. Repowers are common and the database usually holds several engine variants per model. The Builder starts from your actual engine and gearbox; the model records confirm diameters and clearances that are known to work on this hull.
Get the verified recommendation for your Broadblue 385
The Builder pre-fills from these 15 documented fitments — confirm your engine and gearbox, and an engineer replies within one business day.