What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

[Speedwagon]

It's an '88 Alpha one, and the prop and lower unit have seen better days. Just wanted some thoughts on these:<br /><br />

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[crazy charlie]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

You can fix it like new for less than $200.Get the prop reconditioned,approx$50 and buy a skeg gard .It is a stainless skeg cover.Worth the small investment.The prop is a must.Charlie

 

[wirehoncho]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

The prop looks better than mine in the time you've had the boat. I drilled through a shoal last Tuesday dodging crab trot lines..and it looks just like that!<br />( I need to report that spot to the CG, because it wasnt marked.) <br /> <br />I just purchased 2 props from this site for under $200 for both.. got 2 because i'm bound to bust one of them up prior to next year, since I run mostly in the shallows. and with the small boat im running, every ripple can be felt when im moving. yuck!<br /><br />Check the sales & closeouts on the props in the boat motor section in this site.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

So how does one buy a prop? The boat(new to me) is an '88 Sunchaser 17' fiberglass V hull, with a Mercuiser 3.0L 135HP engine. I guess I'll just buy another, as I have read here that it's good to have a spare around.

 

[Jeff Quigley]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

Your prop, although beaten up, should still work for you. If you feel you need a new one, buy it and keep this one as a spare. If you haven't noticed performance issues with this existing prop then it's a matter of opinion if buying a new one. Keep this one on untill she breaks up and replace it with the new one. <br /><br />As for buying a new one. Make and model of engine should be all you need. If you want additional performance, talk to a local supplier and they'll set you up with what you need. <br /><br />However, your skeg looks like Jaws' dorsal fin. Dunna-dunna, Dunna-dunna-dunna... CHOMP.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[bayman]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

In response to your question about buying a prop:<br /><br />If you know what prop you have, looking up a replacement is easy.<br /><br />Or, if you know what the pitch and diameter of your prop is, then finding a replacement is fairly easy too. iboats probably still has some closeout props at ridiculously low prices, might want to check and see.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

Originally posted by JeffQ:<br />[QB] Your prop, although beaten up, should still work for you. <br /><br />Congratulations Jeff!!!! You have just given the worst advice I have ever seen on this forum.Did you see the top blade on that prop????? It looks like it is missing 1/2 inch of the edge.That is major damage and so out of balance that the shaft doesent know whether it is coming or going.Sorry dude,I disagree with you!!

 

[bluewater19]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

Yep!

 

[monoshock]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

Check your phone book yellow pages, you should have a local prop shop. I'm thinking about $60 to fix it,from the way it looks in the pictures, but I would shop around if you have more that one shop.

 

[ScottieinNC]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

Buy new one from iboats (I just did) send this one to a prop shop and keep as a spare. If this vibrates at all fix it ASAP. Vibration will eat your seals in the L/U and cost more that a new prop ever did.

 

[trog100]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

so out of curiosity.. what would a "prop-shop" do with a prop like that.. <br /><br />would they build up the missing chunks with weld or what..???<br /><br />tidy up rough edges.. and a bit of bending yep.. but replacing huge chunks of missing blade kinda puzzles me with this "get it fixed responce"..<br /><br />that one would get u home in a low rpm emergency kinda way.. but any attempt at speed and it would rattle the boat to pieces..<br /><br />i ask this question cos i just went out and bought a new one.. everyone i mention this to says i should have had the old one "fixed"..<br /><br />trog100

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

Try http://www.castlemarine.co.uk/ for prop repair in the UK. yo can always ask them how they do it-some of the props they show they've fixed on the website are a real mess... see this one...<br /><br /> http://www.castlemarine.co.uk/ALLYview1.htm

 

[wirehoncho]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

"i ask this question cos i just went out and bought a new one.. everyone i mention this to says i should have had the old one "fixed"..<br /><br />trog100 [/QB][/quote] <br /><br />We must have the same "peir captians" giving us advice!<br /><br />Being a full time DIYer, I would play with is on a day when im not planning to go out. but I dont waste time like that. <br />I'm guessing even if the prop was less jacked up you might pour 50 dollars into getting it smoothed out.. That requires sanding and some filling. I'm assuming it's aluminum, you know the bend tolerance on that? almost zero.. thats why its all beat up. <br /><br />So you can waste 50 bucks, even if you know someone that'll do it for a case of beer theres time lost to tow it off to someone that'll do it. THEN you got a decent "looking" prop but you'll never know when BLADE IS GOING TO POP OFF! <br /><br />Jackleg repair on prop: $50<br /><br /><br />New prop: $60-$300 Depending on size, make & model.<br /><br />A day on the water ending in you living with the hmiliation of having to be towed in with your prop blades fling off: Priceless! lol <br /><br />Note the boat to prop value, even a super top end is worth it in some cases. <br /><br />@ speedwagon, If you plung in te make of your engine in IBOATS prop finder, it should guide you to al the models they have available.<br /><br />I odered my props on Monday, and they are sitting at my door as I type this courtesy of UPS.

 

[sergioy]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

Buy a new one from iBoats, I did about two weeks ago. From my experience with rebuilt props, its not worth the money. That or i've just been to the worst 3 rebuild shops in two different states. The rebuilt props don't hold up worth a flip. But you can get a brand new one here for $100.

 

[ramster]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

I paid $127 for a new Solas Amita 4 blade aluminum, nice smooth running prop, a good upgrade for not much money.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

I have been boating for many years and until recently have never had to buy a prop.I have always had them reconditioned in the off season and have never had any problems with any of them unless of course the prop hit something again.In my opinion a professional reconditioning is as good as a new prop. Charlie

 

[QC]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

I'm with Charles . . .

 

[BF]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

yes, get it fixed... and not like croaker is implying... it's not a DIY, or a case of beer for a "handy" buddy type job, just smoothing it out or something... should be done by someone that does a lot of props (not just any welding shop). Yes they weld on new aluminum, grind the blades to the right shape & pitch. They come out as good as new. Never seen or heard of any blades "flinging" off! And as already said they can also repair the skeg.<br /><br />That's one of the best things about aluminum props, the blades break chunks off before the lower unit gets wrecked... then afterwards, the prop is entirely fixable. Not so with SS.<br /><br />Yes, running with damaged prop is just beggin' for lower unit probs... consider yourself lucky that it's still OK now. (assuming it is) That's why most people say carry a spare... <br /><br />good luck

 

[trog100]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

yes its quite clear they must weld new bits on to the old.. grind and reshape.. just kinda amazes me it can all be done so cheaply.. <br /><br />my own opinion is.. little dings and nicks get it "fixed".. bloody great chunks broken off (mine was like the one in the pics but on all three blades) buy a new one.. just the one low speed contact with some rocks instantly wrecked it.. i later found out it had been "fixed" by the previouse owner while he still had the boat..<br /><br />i dumped my old one in the marina trash area.. it disappeared straight away so someone must have thought it was worth something.. he he<br /><br />trog100

 

[rogerwa]

Re: What to do about this prop? Is it too beat up?

Next time I need a prop, I'm going to try a Piranha. $20 a blade doesn't sound too bad to me. I boat in an area where I have to idle through some pretty shallow areas and will often hit submerged logs or something else. I have already damaged two props in the 2 years I have been boating in this area.