Bent Prop, Do I need to fix?

[Sea Mitch]

Last full moon the tide was about two ft below normal. I found out the hard way. I scraped one blade of the prop on some rock. It's not very bad, just a little frayed on the leading edge and if you look carefully, it appears that the blade's edge is also very slightly bent. Do I need to fix this? Will the prop be out of balance and destroy the lower unit or can I wait till the seasons over to recondition it? I just got the boat (figures! this was my first time out ) and I'm not sure how the boat felt, sounded or handled before this happened.

 

[dhammann]

Re: Bent Prop, Do I need to fix?

If you did not feel in increase in vibration you are probably ok. Eveyone should have a spare prop anyway, so just get a new one and use that for a spare. Or better yet, after you install the new prop, get the old one repaired ( around $50 in this area).

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: Bent Prop, Do I need to fix?

I've been waiting since Feb to pick this boat up! (You guys were real helpful in the decision making process!) Finally April 26, my wife drove us up to Niantic to pick the boat up. The seller went over the whole boat with me. Two friends, (boaters) came with me on the 60 mile trip from Niantic CT to Norwalk CT. It took four and a half hours in 2 - 3 ft seas (whew) holding on the whole time. Everything was fine until we got to the Norwlk Islands. It was exactly low tide on the full moon at Norwalk when we got there. The marine forecast even said be careful because the low tide would be 2 -3 ft below normal. Now I've heard a lot of stories about the rocks and shoals surroundin' these islands and wanted to go around 'em through the channel. But, my buddy says, "No we can make through, I'll show you the way"... well we didn't. I scraped the prop on the bottom. Boy was I bummed! Brand new stainless steel prop, first time on my first boat! Oh well! A little backround on the above post!

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: Bent Prop, Do I need to fix?

Big Dee, It was hard to tell if there was an increase in vibration or not (unless you think I'd know if there was an increase because it waould make a BIG difference) as the boat was rocking on the swells. How long does it take to mend a prop?

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Bent Prop, Do I need to fix?

You haven't told us what kind of motor, etc., you have, but I agree....buy a new prop, and use this one as the spare you should be carrying anyway. To damage a SS prop, compared to an aluminum, it takes a pretty good hit. OB motor gears are remarkably strong, I/O a little less so, and inboards...it depends. In any case, there could be some off-balance in a damaged prop that might not manifest itself through your steering, boat hull, etc. A prop shop can tell you easily what, if anything, needs to be done, especially if you buy your new prop from them.<br /><br />New stainless props aren't cheap, but beats new gears/outdrives everytime. Have your "expert" buddy contribute. Or at least pile on the guilt everytime you see him! <br /><br />And remember: ATONs are your friends!

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: Bent Prop, Do I need to fix?

Thanks Capn Mike, It's a '93 yamaha 250 outboard.

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Bent Prop, Do I need to fix?

If its jus' a small dent in the edge of the blade and you have noticed no performance changes or wobble, peen it out with a small 8 to 10 ounce ball peen hammer bucking the back side with a 2 or 3 pound hammer. Work it like a tinsmith with little ratta-tat-tats. Works great on aluminum props too...then go fishing....

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Bent Prop, Do I need to fix?

To save money you could get a spare prop (alu, composite or whatever cheap) to use while you wait for your SS. SS props work very good but only when in good shape and you have to take it to a prop shop to know if and how. Then switch back when the SS is OK.<br /><br />The (cheap) spare is a must anyway.