Bending props left and right 25 hp 14 ft grizzly

[sutherj]

Ok, so I'm a little hard on my duck boat, I know that but can't help it.

Problem is I'm duck hunting in a flooded river and have to get through all kinds of submerged and sometimes floating log jams.

My last prop was causing the boat to pull after I bent the crap out of one of the blades. I bought a new prop from my buddies at iboats and went up the river again yesterday. I gave it a little time on the lake to break it in and then went up the river. Before going up the river the boat tracked well for the first time since I bent my last prop. After 5 log jams and a couple of hernia's I got back to open water to find the boat tracking bad again. At the ramp I confirmed my suspicion and realized I screwed up another prop as well as a transducer. I have been on the band wagon of just replacing the bent prop because they are cheap but at this point i'm going to have to get a little more mileage out of this one before I can afford to replace it. One duck hunt with nothing in the bag doesn't justify a new prop.

Question: What's the best way to straighten a prop out without going to my local prop shop. I'm fairly handy and have a torch as well as body working dolly's for fixing dents in cars. I'm not looking for a perfect prop but need to get a few more miles out of this one before I throw it in the spare prop container with the 5 others I have bought in the past couple of years. I've thought about a Stainless prop but have conceded that my boat and motor is too small and my wallet is not ready for the expense of a bent shaft in the lower unit.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Bending props left and right 25 hp 14 ft grizzly

Props are cast aluminum and really don't like to bend more than once. Bend it back and you risk breaking the blade entirely.

My advice, find a good prop shop in your area and see if he'll make you a package deal, particularly since we're headed to the off season. A good prop shop should be able to rebalance your props and fix any dings, etc. Should be about half the cost of a new prop...

If you have a hunting dog, teach him to point out deadheads, logs and stumps! ;-)

 

[walt-oxie1]

Re: Bending props left and right 25 hp 14 ft grizzly

I would suggest going with one of the piranha props where you can just change out the composite blades. I tried one and they hold up alright. Then again, I go through 3 stainless props a year on average.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Bending props left and right 25 hp 14 ft grizzly

If the bends aren't to the point where the alum cracks, a ball peen hammer and block of wood with a good deal of patience will sometimes work.

I have not had luck heating alum like you would heat steel.

A SS prop would help but you stand the chance of damaging your drive train; course if you are in log jams and not rocks, the ss may be just the thing.

I have also seen rings that fit around the prop for running rivers and the like. Don't know where you'd find them.

Best I can do.

Mark

 

[arks]

Re: Bending props left and right 25 hp 14 ft grizzly

You need to make yourself a prop guard:

Use a piece of ? " thick aluminum strap (under $3) and used a propane tank as a form to bend it around after cutting a small piece of the end to bend into a small brace to attach the bottom to the motor skeg at the bottom. A half dozen stainless steel nuts, bolts and washers and, Bingo!! A $75 propeller guard for around $5.