Minor (?) prop damage

[ilmostro99]

Looks like I'm going to keep the boating industry in the black single-handedly. This time, however, it was my wife's fault. She doesn't really know how to drive the boat, but was doing ok, so I let her drop me off near the ramp so I could get the trailer - She doesn't know how to back the trailer either. When backing away into deeper water, she turned the boat and spun the back end into the shallow - and touched the prop into the gravel and concrete. Result - a little more skeg damage and some slight prop damage. Since I already have a Skeggard on order from my dumb little mishap, no worries there, but my question is with the prop. It is a Mercury Marine Vengeance SS 21p (I am assuming) numbers on it are as follows - "48 16318 21P". I don't know diameter. No chips or cracks, but the edge is roughed up a bit and burred. Also looks like there are a few "pits" on the blades, probably from where the gravel hit it. See attached photos.
Question, should this be fixed, replaced, or left as is. Is it possible for me to sand down the burrs, or should I have this done for me? If/When I replace, I will keep it for a spare, but would like to hold off if possible as I need to put tires on my truck this month.
When I do replace, I'd like some advice on the prop to buy.
Info - Sea Ray 190 Signature Bow Rider
5.0 Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen. 2 220hp
Max RPM 4800
WOT with this prop - somewhere just shy of that, but I'm not entirely sure of exact #. 54 mph indicated - not gps.
I think I am happy with current prop, but haven't had anything else to compare it to.
Used as all-around family boat, cruising, watersports (tubing and me wakeboarding, and I am not a pro)
I wouldn't mind loosing a couple mph for an increase in hole-shot, but I don't want to loose too much, as hole-shot isn't bad right now.
There are several prop manufacturers here on iboats, but I don't know anything about any of them. Is the Vengenace the Ford Pinto of props, or is it good? Is there one that is better and will work for me? Usually when I know as little about something as I do about props, I figure the higher the price, the better the product, though I know this is not always the case. Any help, any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Erik - still getting revenge on my wife for her rubbing in the mistake I made 2 weeks ago. Probably worth the couple hundred dollars it is going to cost me.

 

[bigcathunter]

Re: Minor (?) prop damage

I think it would be a waste of your money to replace that prop. The damage is not nearly bad enough to cause any problems, If it was mine I would keep running it until I hit something hard enough to break a blade off of it(had it happen to me before).

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Minor (?) prop damage

No need to replace that prop if the max WOT rpms are in the range. That prop is not hurt badly at all and is very easily repaired by a pro. I'd love to see a picture looking at the edge of the blade, too. You might not need to repair it at all. Or just lovingly tap on it with a hammer. Overall, very minor damage.

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: Minor (?) prop damage

That is really good news. That is kind of what I was thinking, but hoping it wasn't wishful thinking. I wasn't sure how brittle the SS would be after any impact. Here are some more photos of down the edge of the prop. They didn't come out very good because I had to take them on the macro setting on the digital camera.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26304537@N05/?saved=1
Would you try to gently file the burrs down just to smooth them out?
Thanks,
Erik

 

[Lakester]

Re: Minor (?) prop damage

Would you try to gently file the burrs down just to smooth them out?

hello,

well, if that was my prop that is exactly what i would do with it. dress the ruff edges (file) just to add a sense of roundness to the edge to replicate as much as possible the original cut. no doubt a quality fine cut bastard file will do the job nicely. should be able to get one at sears or any industrial supply outfit. if u dont have much metal working skills u just want to kiss the roughness off. that nick in 5319 is something u now r stuck with, unless the pros can handle it. i wouldnt worry about it. my prop had a sense of a 'squared sides' [3-blade alum] from many yrs use. i just kissed the minor edges off to a rounded sense more like area on edge not damaged. i fully expect the prop to perform well... since it performed well when i drove boat.

as is or w/dressed edges no doubt ur prop will still perform well. it dont look bent to me. heck, stuff happens.

let us know what u do, and how it performs for you.

regards
lakester

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Minor (?) prop damage

Yep a file is all you need. That is very minor damage.

And SS doesn't become brittle from an impact. I don't think it ever becomes brittle.

If you have a local propeller repair shop, ask if you can take a tour and watch them repair a prop. You'll be Amazed what they can fix and how they do it. (Ok maybe not amazed at a big hammer, steel blocks and a torch!)