Can I grind a prop ?

[Mikecouil1]

Scenerio: Lake Lehomedeu in Minnesota was much shallower than I expected and I tore up 2 of the blades on my prop as well as bent the skeg slightly. I was told in a different forum that I could bend the skeg back using a rubber mallet but that my prop is trash.<br /><br />Why cant I just pull the prop and grind it back flat? it's chewed up but not like bent in half by any means. It looks like I banged it on rocks (which I did). If I grind it will it not have enough strength to pull my 17 foot tri hull (which is probably rotted if I ever get the motivation to rip up the floor). I obviously wont be trying to make them sharp as knives, just try and grind down the parts that kind of turned flat.<br /><br />Mike

 

[roscoe]

Re: Can I grind a prop ?

A prop is like a lawn mower blade in that it needs to be balanced. If too much material is missing from one blade, it will be out of balance and set up vibrations and wobble, which will be transferred to the prop shaft and seals. It all depends on how much you value your motor. <br /><br />It should be reconditioned by a qualified prop shop, but with the availability of inexpensive props, I would just replace it.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Can I grind a prop ?

Agreed.<br /><br />And even consider different prop types. Composite with exchangeable blades would prevent the same incident.<br /><br />New prop is also a chance to get a different size, if ya like.

 

[Mikecouil1]

Re: Can I grind a prop ?

Thanks for the input. How can I tell what kind of prop I need so that I can just hopefully pick one up cheaper on ebay, rather than spend much more locally? There were no serial numbers on it anywhere. Do I just look for one that came off a 77 Evinrude? <br /><br />Mike

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Can I grind a prop ?

Unless times have change since I was young props can be professionally rebuilt for less than a new one.<br /><br />By the way Roscoe I thanked you in a different post on my Suzuki DT 85 a couple of days ago, should have listened to you months ago.