On REV Fly in Scotland
Ella and Jeff have traveled from Arizona to Scotland and are now back aboard REV Fly, preparing for the Advanced Marine Technology Expo in Amsterdam (June 16–18). This year’s expo is focused on one of the most urgent transitions in marine propulsion: electric and hybrid systems for workboats, ferries, and commercial ships—the vessels where efficiency gains translate directly into longer range, lower fuel burn, quieter operations, and lower operating costs.
Jeff will be giving a presentation that surveys several of the most promising new approaches to marine thrust. We’ll compare legacy propeller designs with emerging innovations, including Sharrow’s looped propellers, ABB’s Dynafin, and our own Fly staggered-blade configurations. The goal is not marketing hype—it’s a grounded look at how different geometries manage (or fail to manage) the physics that matters most: turbulence, unsteady loading, and the structure of the wake.
Based on our latest CFD analyses, Fly propellers show significant advantages over both traditional propellers and many of the newer designs currently attracting attention. The basic insight is simple: when you reduce wasted turbulence and reshape the slipstream, you can often gain thrust and efficiency at the same time—and reduce noise as a direct consequence of smoother flow. Our staggered-blade approach uses a forward set of blades paired with a complementary aft set designed to re-energize and guide the flow, helping maintain more productive lift while reducing the chaotic mixing that typically steals performance.
We’re looking forward to meeting with a wide range of companies at the expo, including manufacturers of larger propellers and commercial propulsion systems, as we expand Fly’s design work beyond outboards and into inboard and larger-scale applications. These conversations are essential: scaling up innovation requires deep expertise in manufacturing, materials, quality control, and real-world validation in diverse operating conditions.
If you’ll be at the Advanced Marine Technology Expo (June 16–18, Amsterdam) and would like to learn more about Fly’s staggered-blade designs—or discuss potential collaboration, testing, or manufacturing partnerships—please reach out to us by email. We’d be glad to connect in person and share what we’re learning as we push toward the next phase of prototypes and trials.
