Thoughts on this prop damage?

[4runner414]

When I was getting the boat back on the trailer, a DNR officer walked up and started asking for my registration materials since we just got the boat, and the stickers had expired but are in the mail... Regardless, it changed my wife and I's "routine" and we caught the outdrive of our sterndrive on the launch bottom when I went to pull it out of the water. Maybe hit for a foot or so...

I only see damage on one of the three blades. Is this safe to use, or should it get repaired/replaced? This is an aluminum prop.

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[Chris1956]

I would get a new prop and save that one for a spare.

 

[Chris1956]

It is probably safe to use, but will be inefficient, leading to loss of speed/economy.

 

[Sea Rider]

Was the injured blade bent or it's only a cosmetic issue as seen on border ? If bent, sent it to a prop shop to have it repaired or motor will vibrate at high rpm.

Happy Boating

 

[4runner414]

It's not bent from what I can tell. There's just the small section missing... I suppose that is enough to cause vibration issues though, right?

 

[Texasmark]

Get a file and trim off the rough spots which could cause cavitation of that blade and some very slight unbalance possibly (note 2 rubber words used here...may, might, could, possibly, outside chance, on and on) resulting in vibrations. I've run worse and never looked back....on an appropriate rig as yours. Diameter is the least effected of the prop parameters and you aren't running a 65 mph high performance Bass Boat at 6k rpm. If still worried, take your file to the tips of your other two blades and take a little material off them.