What began as a simple question—“How can we reduce propeller noise for aerial video?”—has grown into a global movement to redefine propulsion as we know it.

The Sharrow Propeller™ was born out of curiosity and creative problem-solving. In 2012, Greg Sharrow, a Detroit native working as an Executive Producer and Director, needed a quieter propeller for filming orchestras from drones. Traditional propellers were too loud—and hadn’t changed much in nearly two centuries. So, he set out to reinvent the propeller from the ground up.

From those humble beginnings came a breakthrough—the first major innovation in propeller design in over two centuries. The Sharrow Propeller dramatically reduces or eliminates tip cavitation while significantly improving performance, fuel efficiency, and control. What began as a single problem-solving idea is now a globally patented technology, precision-engineered and manufactured in Detroit, Michigan, and embraced by industries around the world.

Today, Sharrow Marine is the consumer-facing arm of this innovation—focused solely on transforming the boating experience. Our mission is to bring the benefits of the Sharrow Propeller™ to boaters everywhere: smoother rides, quieter journeys, better fuel economy, and unmatched handling.

Once a side project in a creative studio, the Sharrow Propeller™ is now an international phenomenon—used by recreational boaters, performance enthusiasts, commercial fleets, and even national defense programs. As part of the larger Sharrow Engineering family, Sharrow Marine is proud to deliver 21st-century propulsion technology to those who love life on the water.

This is just the beginning.

Dramatic reduction in cavitation from tip vortices

Independent, third-party testing led by the University of Michigan’s Marine Hydrodynamic Laboratory demonstrates the Sharrow Propeller is 9-15% more efficient than the industry standard Wageningen B-series screw. Efficiency gains of this magnitude are a game changer for the global propeller industry where 1% is considered substantial.

Sharrow Engineering funded the development of an enhanced 12-stream dye injection visualization system with high-speed 750 fps camera at the University of Michigan’s Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory.

As the video shows, the larger volume of the captured stream of the Sharrow Propeller™ and greater downstream mixing. Note in the photo the outer orange streamline that is ingested into the Sharrow Propeller™ passes beyond the tip of the standard propeller. The standard propeller produces a concentrated tip vortex while the Sharrow Propeller™ has no tip vortex; the tip vortex is an induced loss and a source of cavitation.

Here we see underwater video captured on a test vessel which demonstrates one of the greatest strengths of the Sharrow Propeller™. The standard propeller shows tip vortices cavitation (TVC), which coalesces into the typical helical paths from each blade. This phenomenon is expected from a standard blade and a source of energy loss. At this operational point, the speed of advance is low, and the loading is high, so TVC is very likely. Notice that the Sharrow Propeller™ (on the top) doesn't show any TVC, which is one of the many reasons the Sharrow Propeller™ is more efficient than a standard blade.

GET 4X closer to the fish before they hear you coming

The noise reduction that you will experience on your boat with a Sharrow MX™ is incredible. Cavitation created by standard propellers is a huge source of noise for boaters. The Sharrow MX™ dramatically reduces traditional tip vortices and cavitation, providing you with a smooth and quiet ride like you’ve never experienced before.

True Advance™ Technology

Video by BoatTEST.com

True Advance™ is a design feature within all Sharrow™ Propellers that contributes to the incredible efficiency and performance of the Sharrow Propeller™. It allows our propellers to achieve their maximum advance rate and efficiency much earlier on in the RPM and speed range of a boat compared to standard propellers. The benefits of Sharrow True Advance™ include:

Unmatched Efficiency
Greater Range
Superior Fuel Economy
Increased Load Capacities
Faster Speeds (up to 10 MPH FASTER) at Cruising RPM’s
Enhanced Handling and Maneuvering
Up to 50% More Reverse Thrust for Greater Stopping Power
Lower Emissions / Reduced Carbon Footprint
Quieter Operation
Less Driver and Passenger Fatigue
Longer Engine Life
Can be Utilized on Virtually any Propeller Driven Craft
Each Sharrow Propeller can be Custom Tuned to Each Specific Application

An analysis of a boat’s performance data reveals that the actual traditional propeller “slip” is significantly more than expected at cruising speeds, while the Sharrow propeller achieves dramatically higher efficiency percentages much earlier on the boat’s total operating range.

Sharrow’s True Advance™ Delivers 97+% of maximum efficiency as soon as the boat reaches planing speed

In this example, the conventional propellers don’t reach 97% of maximum efficiency until nearly full speed

Greater efficiency means increased fuel economy, increased range, fewer fill-ups, lower emissions and quieter operation

Sharrow’s True Advance™ design delivers higher advance rates earlier in the operating range when compared to conventional propeller designs, delivering superior performance, enhanced control and a safer overall boating experience.

Greater propeller efficiency means increased fuel economy, increased range, fewer fill-ups, lower emissions and quieter operation

Sharrow’s True Advance™ design also results in faster speeds at the same engine RPM. Cruise at the same speed at a much lower RPM or cruise up to 10 MPH FASTER at the same RPM. The choice is yours!