Why is Promas Lite so efficient?
Promas Lite integrates the propeller and the rudder into a single system. Behind a normal propeller hub there is a strong low-pressure vortex (hub vortex) that acts on the propeller hub, increasing drag and reducing propeller thrust. A special hubcap is fitted to the propeller, which streamlines the flow onto a bulb that is added to the rudder, effectively reducing flow separation immediately after the propeller.
The result is an increase in propeller thrust, as previously wasted energy is recovered from the flow. The addition, the bulb on the rudder also streamlines the flow aft of the rudder, further reducing drag. The hubcap is mounted outside of the propeller hub and acts purely as a hydrodynamic fairing. No special hub design is needed, thus cost and technical complexity is kept to a minimum. Adopting the twisted rudder design of the Promas system can yield further improvements in efficiency and manoeuvrability.