Did cavitation cause this?

[TRAILN]

Is this normal wear? My engine is almost new (less than one year old) 115 Merc.
Its a little disconcerting for me.

 

[Chris1956]

looks like a paint defect to me. Cavitation would be more spread out. If the blade hit any sand or something, I would expect the paint to be chipped to the edge of the blade.

 

[alldodge]

Are the blade ends cupped slightly?

 

[gm280]

Sort of looks like you may have hit something that touched all four blades before it stopped. Maybe something when you were in reverse like a stick or something that either broke off or you were pass after hitting it... Doesn't look like cavitation damage to me though. IDK :noidea:

 

[TRAILN]

Thanks guys.
It didn't just happen suddenly. It started coming off a while ago and has been getting worse the more I use it.
Also, I have a second prop (pitched up one size) that is starting to do the same thing as this one.
I believe the blades are cupped slightly.

 

[alldodge]

With cupping the pressure increases slightly and can cause some burning as the water is compressed. I don't see an issue, and believe as time goes along more paint will come off further toward the tip. No biggy, the prop should last a long time, just the paint cannot take the turblance

 

[steelespike]

Hard to tell if that is the thrust side of the blades.
Cavitation usually is on the forward side of the prop , non thrust side.
I'm guessing it is simply loss of paint.If it is cavitation there may be erosion of some of the metal.

 

[Sea Rider]

Need to repaint my props from time to time, just the missing paint portion with a good quality spray paint, just to get it done faster.

Happy Boating