Is it ok to drive with banged prop and fin?

[doctorchow]

Banged up one of the blades on my prop. Fin is slightly bent as well (ok, a little bit more than slightly).

The local marina guy won't be able to fix it until a couple of weeks from now. If I continue to use the boat until I can get it into the shop, will I be doing damage to the motor?

Thanks in advance.

 

[gss036]

Re: Is it ok to drive with banged prop and fin?

will I be doing damage to the motor?


Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Buy a spare prop.

 

[doctorchow]

Re: Is it ok to drive with banged prop and fin?

Thanks for the post Gary. I should elaborate a bit more. I do have a spare prop..it's actually made of hard plastic and the old boat owner gave it to me. I will put it on in.

My bigger concern is the bent fin (or do they call this the propellor shaft?). I assume this can be banged back into shape? Is it bad to drive with it until it is repaired? Thanks again.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Is it ok to drive with banged prop and fin?

If your talking about the skeg which is actually below the prop you should be ok, it may have some affect on your steering (might want to go one way more than the other), the bent prop is bad, can cause vibrations and wobble due to being off balance, wear bearings etc. If your 2nd prop works ok (no vibrations) should be ok to use, if it still wobbles then there is other damage and you need to have it looked at.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Is it ok to drive with banged prop and fin?

Are you talking about the cavatation plate which is horizontal or the skeg which extends below the prop which is vertical? If either of these are bent you will experiance some handling issues but usable.

A bent blade on a prop could cause damage due to being out of balance and damage the bearings and seals. Go to the plastic one for now.

The prop shaft is the round shaft that the prop is attached to and if that is bent...... PARK IT!

 

[doctorchow]

Re: Is it ok to drive with banged prop and fin?

Thanks Bob. You are correct. I was referring to the skeg. I'm a newbie and got my terminology mixed up. I will try the spare prop and pay attention to vibrations. Your post is appreciated. Thanks again.

Paul

 

[gss036]

Re: Is it ok to drive with banged prop and fin?

Depending on how bad it is bent, you may be able to use 2 harmmers and tap it straight, the problem being, it is very brittle. I have straightened mine out, but wasn't a bad bend. You may have to have it welded or cut it off and replace with a skeg guard. Depending on what you use the boat for, you may not need the skeg. You did not mention the make or size of the motor.
You must have hit something large and very solid(rock?).
You may want to check the oil in the lower unit to make sure you haven't damaged the seals, if it is milky, you may want to have it pressure checked to find the bad seal.