Bent blade tip - not sure what to do

[todhunter]

I'm new to boating and bought my first boat a year ago and have been working on a full gut and restore. It is a 1987 Power Play XLT-185...an 18.5 ft closed bow sterndrive with a Mercruiser 5.7 / 260 HP and Alpha One Gen 1 outdrive.

I purchased a used stainless steel Quicksilver Cleaver 21P / 14.75" diameter prop on FB marketplace. It is a 3-blade prop and has part number 48-89802 A5. The seller did not pack the prop very well and now one of the blade tips is slightly bent - not 100% sure if this was pre-existing or happened in shipping at this point. I asked if there were any nicks or dings before buying and he said no.

Here is a picture of the blade. My question for you guys is should I just run this as-is? Is this OK for a used prop listed as "good condition"? Or, am I going to run into vibrations, unbalance, or something that can damage my drive? Should I get this fixed by a prop shop, and if so, any clue as to how much that would cost? Appreciate any help you can give this boating newbie.

Here's a picture from the ad:



Here's a picture of the bent blade tip:

 

[robert graham]

I doubt it will give you a problem but maybe take it to a prop shop for their recommendations, straightening, balancing….if required

 

[Chris1956]

Have a prop shop straighten it.

That is a high performance prop. Normally used for production "racing" boats. Not one I would normally expect on a boat like yours. If you do not get good performance, that could be the cause.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... Most prop shops oughta fix that for 'bout $100......
Cleaver props like that give good stern lift,.....
A chopper will give better bow lift,....

 

[todhunter]

Ayuh,...... Most prop shops oughta fix that for 'bout $100......
Cleaver props like that give good stern lift,.....
A chopper will give better bow lift,....

Thanks Bondo. I dropped it off at a local shop on Friday. There were some other issues like small dings and rolling of the leading edge in a few spots. He said it would be about $180 to have it fixed up completely. Hoping to pick it back up this Friday.

 

[todhunter]

Have a prop shop straighten it.

That is a high performance prop. Normally used for production "racing" boats. Not one I would normally expect on a boat like yours. If you do not get good performance, that could be the cause.

Thanks for the reply. This is the prop that several of the folks with XLT-185's recommend using, so we will see. I did end up taking it to be fixed.