I have recently bought a Princess 32 - built in 1975 - driven by a single Perkins 72 diesel and a Volvo Penta 270 outdrive.
I'm getting ready for my first foray onto the tidal Trent (I am in Lincoln) and then onto the northern broad canals. Apparently my draft is 2ft 9ins and I reckon on some of those shallow canals I can see how vulnerable my prop blades are, being the lowest point on the boat, and aluminium not bronze. My boat is set up for the inland waterways having a single engine and, unusually, a soft canopy and that suits me.
For a long cruise and for my peace of mind I intend to carry some spares 'just in case' I plan to have spare engine belts, spare hoses, spare throttle cable and steering cable. (I once broke a throttle cable on a hire boat on the Thames and ended up running aground on an island in mid-stream! - I don't intend to be stranded like that again).
With my bathing platform (or dinghy) and with the tilt switch working (planned in cos it aint at the minute) I reckon I can change the prop wherever I am if it becomes necessary. I've seen my prop taken off and it is a very simple procedure.
Here's the nub of my question - a specialist prop supplier can get me a spare prop for in the region of a couple of hundred quid which I reckon is a reasonable price to pay for peace of mind. However I also want to have a spare cone shaped nut, washer and alan headed retaining bolt because I can see them being very easy to lose. I have been quoted 100 quid for that cone shaped nut wich I think is damned expensive!
Can anyone point me in the direction of a second hand or cheaper new cone shaped nut. Does anyone have one kicking around in a bin of old bits perhaps - I am prepared to pay for postage, of course, on such an item.
My prop is marked "Michegan", which is the manufacturer in the States I understand, and the serial number is 082011 which is an obsolete number according to the prop specialist I have been talking too - replacement would be a Volvo jobby. I'm wondering if anyone has an old prop, that would do for a spare, from a knackered old outdrive that that I might be able to buy for a few beer tokens.
Waddya reckon?
I'm getting ready for my first foray onto the tidal Trent (I am in Lincoln) and then onto the northern broad canals. Apparently my draft is 2ft 9ins and I reckon on some of those shallow canals I can see how vulnerable my prop blades are, being the lowest point on the boat, and aluminium not bronze. My boat is set up for the inland waterways having a single engine and, unusually, a soft canopy and that suits me.
For a long cruise and for my peace of mind I intend to carry some spares 'just in case' I plan to have spare engine belts, spare hoses, spare throttle cable and steering cable. (I once broke a throttle cable on a hire boat on the Thames and ended up running aground on an island in mid-stream! - I don't intend to be stranded like that again).
With my bathing platform (or dinghy) and with the tilt switch working (planned in cos it aint at the minute) I reckon I can change the prop wherever I am if it becomes necessary. I've seen my prop taken off and it is a very simple procedure.
Here's the nub of my question - a specialist prop supplier can get me a spare prop for in the region of a couple of hundred quid which I reckon is a reasonable price to pay for peace of mind. However I also want to have a spare cone shaped nut, washer and alan headed retaining bolt because I can see them being very easy to lose. I have been quoted 100 quid for that cone shaped nut wich I think is damned expensive!
Can anyone point me in the direction of a second hand or cheaper new cone shaped nut. Does anyone have one kicking around in a bin of old bits perhaps - I am prepared to pay for postage, of course, on such an item.
My prop is marked "Michegan", which is the manufacturer in the States I understand, and the serial number is 082011 which is an obsolete number according to the prop specialist I have been talking too - replacement would be a Volvo jobby. I'm wondering if anyone has an old prop, that would do for a spare, from a knackered old outdrive that that I might be able to buy for a few beer tokens.
Waddya reckon?
