Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

[mysweetone]

(like thats never happened before...):facepalm:

Here is the story....

I have an 89 Wellcraft Eclipse 216 bowrider with an Alpha I drive, and a Mercruiser 5.0ltr. Not sure if this makes a difference but i will be converting to Rex Marine Captains call exhaust system over the winter. I use the boat for tubing, and water skiing with the family and friends and typically will have 4-8 people aboard. The boat is used in lakes most of the time.

The last prop on it was a three blade aluminum 19pitch 16.25" aluminum prop dubbed by my friends as a "tug boat prop". Turning that prop I was at 4600rmp with just me aboard and light on fuel, and trimmed out as best I could This pushed me along at a wholloping 53mph on the fishfinder.

So anyway, back to the Craigslist story....

I picked up a Mercury Elite Series Trophy plus 14p SS 4 blade prop, (14" I believe)... The boat is in storage now so I can not test it but for what i have been told on another forum this prop is designed for outboards and will not work on an I/O because the barrol of the prop is smaller allowing for the exhaust gasses to flow over the blades... did I make a mistake based on my initial paragragh describing my boat, engine, and drive? Lets hear it guys.....

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

(like thats never happened before...):facepalm:

Here is the story....

I have an 89 Wellcraft Eclipse 216 bowrider with an Alpha I drive, and a Mercruiser 5.0ltr. Not sure if this makes a difference but i will be converting to Rex Marine Captains call exhaust system over the winter. I use the boat for tubing, and water skiing with the family and friends and typically will have 4-8 people aboard. The boat is used in lakes most of the time.

The last prop on it was a three blade aluminum 19pitch 16.25" aluminum prop dubbed by my friends as a "tug boat prop". Turning that prop I was at 4600rmp with just me aboard and light on fuel, and trimmed out as best I could This pushed me along at a wholloping 53mph on the fishfinder.

So anyway, back to the Craigslist story....

I picked up a Mercury Elite Series Trophy plus 14p SS 4 blade prop, (14" I believe)... The boat is in storage now so I can not test it but for what i have been told on another forum this prop is designed for outboards and will not work on an I/O because the barrol of the prop is smaller allowing for the exhaust gasses to flow over the blades... did I make a mistake based on my initial paragragh describing my boat, engine, and drive? Lets hear it guys.....

Ayuh,.... I donno if yer new prop is for an outboard, or outdrive,...
What's it's diameter, 'n part number,..??
But,...
I can say for Sure that yer old prop Ain't 16, 1/4", because there's only 8" from the center of the propshaft, to the cav-plate....


Btw,... yer title is misleading, as you weren't Taken by anybody,...
You just didn't do yer homework, 'n screwed Yerself...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

(like thats never happened before...):facepalm:

Here is the story....

I have an 89 Wellcraft Eclipse 216 bowrider with an Alpha I drive, and a Mercruiser 5.0ltr. Not sure if this makes a difference but i will be converting to Rex Marine Captains call exhaust system over the winter. I use the boat for tubing, and water skiing with the family and friends and typically will have 4-8 people aboard. The boat is used in lakes most of the time.

The last prop on it was a three blade aluminum 19pitch 16.25" aluminum prop dubbed by my friends as a "tug boat prop". Turning that prop I was at 4600rmp with just me aboard and light on fuel, and trimmed out as best I could This pushed me along at a wholloping 53mph on the fishfinder.

So anyway, back to the Craigslist story....

I picked up a Mercury Elite Series Trophy plus 14p SS 4 blade prop, (14" I believe)... The boat is in storage now so I can not test it but for what i have been told on another forum this prop is designed for outboards and will not work on an I/O because the barrol of the prop is smaller allowing for the exhaust gasses to flow over the blades... did I make a mistake based on my initial paragragh describing my boat, engine, and drive? Lets hear it guys.....

You scammed yourself, man!

I'm reasonably sure that the Trophy prop is for 4-1/4" hubs (outboards) and is too small for the Alpha & Bravo outdrives, which need a propeller with a 4-3/4" hub. Of course the Mercury web site is quite vague on the details of their props.

If you go through the prop selector on their site, it does not come up, as I do not believe that it fits.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

That is exactly why the first step in prop selection is to select a series "intended" for your exact engine/outdrive. Trying to select a prop solenly on diameter and pitch will get you burned nearly every time unless you do the necessary research. Likewise, just because the spline count matches what you have does not mean the prop is intended for your drive. Manufacturers put part numbers on props for a reason. That number translates to a specific application

 

[mysweetone]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

I did do some research prior to seeing the prop and I spoke with the gentlemen I bought it off of who had an array of props ( probably a couple grand worth on the shelves), engines, and other marine related stuff for sale (he said he has made a nice living selling stuff on Craigslist) and since he had all this stuff I trusted him when I asked if it would work in my situation of which he assured me that it would. So the seller wasnt quite honest with me either. Either way you wanna look at it....

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

Have you contacted the seller? If the seller is a stand up guy he will exchange it for a prop that will fit or return your money.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

The boat can't do 53 with that prop.Calculator says with 1.7 gear ratio 5% slip is about 46 mph.
Your prop not only won't fit ,the pitch is too low the 14 would have to make over 5300 rpm to do 40 mph again assuming a 1.7 ratio and 5% slip.
A 21" prop would make about 51 at 4600 rpm but I wonder if the motor can turn a 21 up to 4600. The large diameter is a little harder to twist up than say a 143/4 or a 15 but a 21 is harder to twist up than a 19.

 

[mysweetone]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

My bad... prop that was on the boat last season was a 17 pitch 3 blade, 8" aluminum prop. (I learned how to measure prop diameter in this thread)

And yes I have contacted the seller... twice. The frist time was the following day at which time I explained that I had been on forums and spoken to some of my friends that had advised that the prop I purchased from him would not work. He insisted that I try the prop. I told him it is December in CT and the boat is in storage. He then responded that he would do some of his own research and get back to me. Well, needless to say he didn't... (surprise surprise ) so I called him back today to see what he had found out. He said that he had not looked into and honestly had forgotten all about it. I asked if he had something else I could swap it out for in which he said he did not I also told him I would return the prop and throw him $20 or so for his troubles. That didn't work either. Either way you slice it I own a really shiney SS four blade prop for an outboard that is useless to me.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

To measure diameter on your 4 blade you just measure from oposite blade tip to blade tip.
On a 3 blade measure from center to blade tip and double. It does appear you have a 16" diameter.based on the 8" you mentioned.
The 17" pitch would be slower than a 19. at about 41.
If you read "read this first" at the top of the page and the helps on the prop store page it may help you understand prop selection better.

 

[mysweetone]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

ok, thanks steelespike. I am such a noob at boats. Got a snowmobile question though and I'm your guy!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

Just because he has a bunch of props does not make him an expert. There are lots of parts on lots of different trucks, boats, cars, that fit -- but don't work, or if they do, they don't work well. A starter from any Chevy 350 V8 powered car will work on a 350 V8 boat engine too. Until the non-marine version sparks and blows you, your passengers and the boat sky high. Granted -- that's an extreme example but the principle is the same. How many folks do you thiink there are operating boats on a budget that don't have a clue what "marinized" means. A starter fails. The fellow knows he has a Chevy V8 so he heads to the junk yard. The guy says I have a Chevy 350 V8 in my boat and I need a starter. Sure this will "fit" will very likely be the answer. After all -- the junkie is an expert is he not?

 

[mysweetone]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

Hey silvertip, I get it ok... I made a mistake. I guess I just trusted someone I shouldn't have. I know the importance of using marine grade parts in the engine compartment... always have, always will. Now I don't know if you were lecturing me in your previous post but if you were... please don't. I came on here for peoples opinions of the prop in queston, and its effectiveness on my boat. I did not come on here to have someone point out my poor judgement in selecting a prop and what I alledgedly did wrong.
Also, just so you know, I did do some reasearch online (Mercury's site to be exact) and asked questions of the seller at which time he led me (an admitted new comer to the boating world) to believe it would work fine. We are all new at something at some point and have to learn as we go sometimes.... Now, I may have taken your posts as a lecture, and if that wasn't your intent, I am sorry for this post but if you were... don't. Thank you.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

ok, thanks steelespike. I am such a noob at boats. Got a snowmobile question though and I'm your guy!

You were once a noob on snowmobiles. We'll get you up to speed and with some time you won't be a noob anymore.
I was lucky, I had my first boat when I was 6 ,1949, and we had a neighbor that loved to fiddle with boats so I started to learn the basics from him Over the years I owned 2 of his boats I still have his 57 Crestliner Bucaneer which I rode in when it was new.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

Hey silvertip, I get it ok... I made a mistake. I guess I just trusted someone I shouldn't have. I know the importance of using marine grade parts in the engine compartment... always have, always will. Now I don't know if you were lecturing me in your previous post but if you were... please don't. I came on here for peoples opinions of the prop in queston, and its effectiveness on my boat. I did not come on here to have someone point out my poor judgement in selecting a prop and what I alledgedly did wrong.
Also, just so you know, I did do some reasearch online (Mercury's site to be exact) and asked questions of the seller at which time he led me (an admitted new comer to the boating world) to believe it would work fine. We are all new at something at some point and have to learn as we go sometimes.... Now, I may have taken your posts as a lecture, and if that wasn't your intent, I am sorry for this post but if you were... don't. Thank you.

No offense intended. Merely pointing out that someone that has a bunch of "whatever" does not make that someone an expert. He is only an expert at collecting stuff and selling it to unsuspecting folks.

 

[mysweetone]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

No offense intended. Merely pointing out that someone that has a bunch of "whatever" does not make that someone an expert. He is only an expert at collecting stuff and selling it to unsuspecting folks.

Alright thanks silver... and I agree he was very good at selling to "unsuspecting folks."

Does anyone have any suggestions on where I might be able to sell the prop other than Craigslist and ebay?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

Alright thanks silver... and I agree he was very good at selling to "unsuspecting folks."

Does anyone have any suggestions on where I might be able to sell the prop other than Craigslist and ebay?

That's pretty much it, but I'd think one of those would get it sold eventually. Not like it's gonna go bad on ya. You might try checking with a dealer to see if you can get some trade in credit on it. No harm in asking. Now, what prop does your snowmobile take?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

Do a reverse on this guy. He obviously watches Craigs List and E-Bay closely. So go to a hardware store and buy a set of metal stamps or if you have a machinist friend, see if you can borrow his for an evening. Then carefully check that prop for any identifying marks. Grind them off and restamp the prop with any sort of a 3 or 4 number code. It doesn't have to make sense and better if it doesn't. Then sand and repaint the prop. The seller cannot now identify this prop and very likely has already forgotten about it. Next, have a friend run the add on Craigs List or E-bay and indicate you have no idea what it's from but probably a Mercury outboard. Mark it $5 or $10 higher (giving yourself wiggle room) and see if he bites. If he doesn't, perhaps someone else will. Your friend can simply say he has no idea what its from and that a friend gave it to him. Even if you lose $10 on the deal, you have the satisfaction of gettng back at the guy and you are out $10. Doing nothing leaves you with a prop you can't use (other than as a spare perhaps) and you are out the purchase cost as well. Beat these guys at their own game.

 

[ErikF]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

Do a reverse on this guy. He obviously watches Craigs List and E-Bay closely. So go to a hardware store and buy a set of metal stamps or if you have a machinist friend, see if you can borrow his for an evening. Then carefully check that prop for any identifying marks. Grind them off and restamp the prop with any sort of a 3 or 4 number code. It doesn't have to make sense and better if it doesn't. Then sand and repaint the prop. The seller cannot now identify this prop and very likely has already forgotten about it. Next, have a friend run the add on Craigs List or E-bay and indicate you have no idea what it's from but probably a Mercury outboard. Mark it $5 or $10 higher (giving yourself wiggle room) and see if he bites. If he doesn't, perhaps someone else will. Your friend can simply say he has no idea what its from and that a friend gave it to him. Even if you lose $10 on the deal, you have the satisfaction of gettng back at the guy and you are out $10. Doing nothing leaves you with a prop you can't use (other than as a spare perhaps) and you are out the purchase cost as well. Beat these guys at their own game.

Care to explain why this would work?

People that buy/sell on Craigslist or Ebay make their money by buying low and (hopefully) selling high. Why would the seller be interested in buying back the prop he sold for the same or more than he sold it for?

Best thing to do (IMO) is to forget about the seller, figure out what the prop actually fits, and then sell it with an accurate description to someone who can use it.

 

[Stud man]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

Do a reverse on this guy. He obviously watches Craigs List and E-Bay closely. So go to a hardware store and buy a set of metal stamps or if you have a machinist friend, see if you can borrow his for an evening. Then carefully check that prop for any identifying marks. Grind them off and restamp the prop with any sort of a 3 or 4 number code. It doesn't have to make sense and better if it doesn't. Then sand and repaint the prop. The seller cannot now identify this prop and very likely has already forgotten about it. Next, have a friend run the add on Craigs List or E-bay and indicate you have no idea what it's from but probably a Mercury outboard. Mark it $5 or $10 higher (giving yourself wiggle room) and see if he bites. If he doesn't, perhaps someone else will. Your friend can simply say he has no idea what its from and that a friend gave it to him. Even if you lose $10 on the deal, you have the satisfaction of gettng back at the guy and you are out $10. Doing nothing leaves you with a prop you can't use (other than as a spare perhaps) and you are out the purchase cost as well. Beat these guys at their own game.

This would be scaming someone else! Which would make you no better the the seller. It people like YOU that make ebay and craigs list an unsafe place.

Just find out what the prop fits and sell it that way, someone is bound to want it, even if you get half your money back. At least you can sleep at night knowing you did the right thing.... Just sayin

 

[86 century]

Re: Help! I think I got taken on Craigslist!

If it helps I used a prop from an alpha 1 on a 200merc out board.
The guys know alot more about this stuff than I do.

Mine was a 19p turbo