Dumb question about 1988 Force 50 HP outboard...

[gunner1]

I have a 1988 Force 50 hp outboard Model 508V8C. What kind of hub do I have? Is it like most where it can wear out, or is it mounted directly to the output shaft? Yes, this is my first boat so try to keep the snickering to a minimum if you can, please.

 

[DJ]

Re: Dumb question about 1988 Force 50 HP outboard...

You have a splined propeller shaft, other than that, I'm not sure what you are getting at?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Dumb question about 1988 Force 50 HP outboard...

It is a splined bronze hub with a rubber collar glued to it, that is pressed into the aluminum propeller hub. Yes, it can wear out in which case the engine will run fine at low speed but as soon as you give it the throttle the hub will spin inside the prop, the engine will speed up and the boat will not go. Cure is to send the prop to a prop shop. (drop it off at your local boat shop--they send it out-you get it back the next week.)
Have it re-hubbed. It's cheaper than buying a new prop and probably the same as buying a used one.

Snicker, snicker, snicker. LOL

 

[gunner1]

Re: Dumb question about 1988 Force 50 HP outboard...

Okay, thanks guys. My main concern was that I bought this boat last August and I've been working on it as frequently as possible and I wanted to make sure that when the floor is done and the new seats are installed, that something as simple as a spun hub wouldn't keep me off the water. I just didn't know if ALL props had the rubber inserts. Is there a member of the board I could have do the work? I'd much rather have the money go to someone from here when the time comes. About how much do you think this will cost?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Dumb question about 1988 Force 50 HP outboard...

The only way we as boaters have to check for a spun hub is to run the engine on the water and see if the prop slips. So what I am saying is: Don't assume that the hub is bad. Just because it is old does not automatically mean the hub is spun. Why buy a new prop if it is not necessary? And re-hubbing the prop should only take a week and cost around 40, maybe less in that size. So, run the boat early in the season just for shake-down and see if the prop slips. THEN repair it if necessary.

Now, if you want a spare prop, Why drop 130 when you can get a good used one for much less on ebay? Matter of fact, I have a new one that I acquired and I might be willing to part with if I can find its very safe storage place. PM me for details. See--when I open my garage doors, stuff spews forth like vomit. And by stuff I mean Sugar, Honey, Iced Tea ---Courtesy of childs film "Madagascar."

Anyway, there are only about three pitch sizes for that 10 3/8 prop. 11 1/2, 12 1/2, 13 1/2. First is for heavy loads, second is for average conditions and third is for light loads. So you need to decide where your boat falls.

As for a member of the board? I sometimes re-hub my own props but by the time I buy a hub then you ship the prop to me and I ship back, then I get a little for labor---The prop shop picks up from the marina and delivers, and the hub costs the same so you are way better off both in time and money having it done locally.