Prop damaged.

[michaelsen]

I got some kind of metal trap in my prop yesterday evening and messed my drive up pretty bad. A piece broke of the skeg and it is bend a little. I think I can cut it in shape again and straighten it out. Today I noticed that also the prop has suffered. When I turn the prop it moves about 1/8" up and down and makes a sound for each turn by grinding up against the "house". The shaft seems to be ok and do not move up and down. Should I get a new prob or can I use it as it is without making damage to the drive? It's a stainless steel prop so it have taken quite a hit. Any thing else I should check before I go out again?<br /><br />Regards<br />Michael

 

[AndyL]

Re: Prop damaged.

Oh dear!!<br /><br />My thoughts is that the shaft is bent. I would be very loathe to run it until you can verify what damage has been caused. I took the S/S prop off mine as it wasn't fitted with a rubber hub therefore in an incident like yours a lot more energy is transferred to the gearbox. Aluminium props are more malleable and to some extent sacrificial on impact. Check your gearbox drain for signs of internal damage or significant metal filings on the magnetic pick up. If it was mine I think I would seek professional advice before running it.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Prop damaged.

Mike,<br />You will need to check your shaft for run-out, to be sure it's not bent. You can do this with a dial indicator or by using a makeshift one. If the shaft is bent, even a little, you will need to replace it or possibly have it repaired. Don't run it on the water before you have checked it out. It will tear up the lower unit.

 

[jhreed]

Re: Prop damaged.

Hey MikeMike, If the prop has slop in it and the propeller shaft doesn't, it sounds like to me that your prop has damaged its hub and-or spider. Pull the prop, spin the prop shaft to see if there's any runout. You'll know if there is. If not, replace the prop.. Good luck

 

[michaelsen]

Re: Prop damaged.

Thanks guys. I will pull the prop and check the shaft alone. Darn, my boat is not even a year old. Are those fishermen alowed to put traps up everywhere? This was in the middle of an inlet from the river to two marinas. There is quite a bit of traffic. I didn't make it home before dark and I did not have a chance to see it.<br /><br />Regards and have a great christmas.<br /><br />Michael