What SS prop Should I buy?

[RiverLance2012]

I just bought an 2002 18' Caravelle Runabout. It has an 3.0 Mercruiser. I have never owned a boat before and have some questions about the prop which is in pretty bad condition. It has the original prop I do believe on it which is p/n 48-832832A45 . I am really really curious if I actually even need to buy a SS prop or just go right back with a brand new original Aluminum prop. And if I need to buy an SS what props would you recommend???

 

[steelespike]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

Usually the last 2 digets are the pitch; wouldn't be 45.
You may be able to get the prop repaired at a prop shop.Probably half what ss would cost new.
Or a new aluminum should perform well. If it is a 21" pitch that is usually more for speed than power. for a 3.0

 

[Bondo]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

I just bought an 2002 18' Caravelle Runabout. It has an 3.0 Mercruiser. I have never owned a boat before and have some questions about the prop which is in pretty bad condition. It has the original prop I do believe on it which is p/n 48-832832A45 . I am really really curious if I actually even need to buy a SS prop or just go right back with a brand new original Aluminum prop. And if I need to buy an SS what props would you recommend???

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard Lance,..... Don't buy a SSteel wheel,..... just yet anyways....

Aluminum props are alot softer, 'n might save yer driveline from Expensive damage...

yer a New boater, 'n yer gonna be plowing up the bottom, til ya get the hang of boatin'....
'n I'm guessin' ya boat in a River to boot,.... Rivers are known to hide nasty obstructions too....

You could take yer prop to a Prop Shop, 'n have it rebuilt....
Better yet, buy a copy of it, 'n have that 1 rebuilt,... then ya got a Spare...

 

[jkust]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

I'll echo bondo. Aluminum prop will save you a bunch of money if you do hit rocks hard since the alum will take the hit not the insides of the outdrive. Even if you are an experienced boater, each new body of water is a challenge. Don't spend your money on ss if for no other reason you have a low hp engine and you would see very little if any true difference over a decent aluminum.

 

[RiverLance2012]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

Okay Thanks Everyone. I am just gonna buy a brand new aluminum prop. I have a couple other question also. I am thinking about taking off and replacing the existing prop myself... Is this gonna be too hard for me for me to do or should i just take it to the marine shop??? One more question I have is I opened my ski locker yesterday and all I could smell is fuel coming from it and it has a couple inches of water in it. Is this normal???

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

Okay Thanks Everyone. I am just gonna buy a brand new aluminum prop. I have a couple other question also. I am thinking about taking off and replacing the existing prop myself... Is this gonna be too hard for me for me to do or should i just take it to the marine shop??? One more question I have is I opened my ski locker yesterday and all I could smell is fuel coming from it and it has a couple inches of water in it. Is this normal???

Before ya go out and get a new prop, ya wanna know what pitch to buy. What RPMs are you turning when the boat is at WOT, with the boat loaded with approx the same amount of people, gear and fuel as you most often boat ? I believe you should be in the range of 4400-4800 rpms if your pitch is correct. If you are above 4800 rpms at WOT, your prop pitch is too low, and you should go up in pitch, and vice -versa . Every inch of pitch changes your RPM approx 200RPMs I believe. By yourself a prop wrench and change it yourself Its TOTALLY a DIY job. You dont even necessarily have to have a prop wrench, but they are nice to have . You should take yuor prop off at least annually anyhow to lube the propshaft and remove any fishing line that may have wrapped around the shaft, fishing line can destroy the gear oil seal, letting your gear lube leak out, thereby destroying your outdrive. And NOOOOO ! Fuel smell= DANGER!!!! Figure out where it comeing from ASAP! And is it just rainwater, or??????

 

[steelespike]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

If your smelling fuel coming from the bilge you better figure out what it is before you do anything.
Not normal to have water in the ski locker I would think it would have a drain. so rain or splash doesn't flood it.
You may be able to get the prop repaired and get some performance numbers to tell how well your setup is working.

 

[RiverLance2012]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

Okay Thank You. Well the prop that is on it is the one from factory and I'm just gonna buy it brand new. I don't know how the water is getting into the ski locker but there was a little bit in it before I put the cover on it and now it seems like there is a little more in it now. As far as the fuel goes I put alot of sea foam fuel additive in it for winterization and I'm thinking maybe its just fuming out a little.

 

[jkust]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

I had bought one of those floating plastic prop wrenches and it stripped in one second. Stay away from those. I use a crescent wrench and a block of wood to stop the prop from spinning when I turn the nut or you can just put it in gear. Just look at one of the many youtube videos on how to change a prop. It is really easy and just takes a couple minutes presuming it hasn't been used in salt water and is stuck on. Dont forget that some props will require a new hub as well. The hub will also mitigate damage from a prop hit. I keep an extra prop in the box it came in, lube and a crescent wrench in the boat to save the day if we ever do major prop damage while on vacation.

 

[etracer68]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

The factory generally doesnt put props on boats, the dealer does. So, no such thing as a factory prop. You need to find the diameter&pitch. Most times the numbers are under the nut, and washer.

As for the gas, is the boat covered over the tank vent? The boat should be tilted, so water can run out, and drain plug out too. You may have a leak somewhere, you should NOT smell gas in a boat, not good.

 

[RiverLance2012]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

Where is the tank vent??? The prop is an 14 1/4 x 21p and is a black max aluminum. I actually have the boat sitting just ever so slightly back but I doubt its enough to drain anything but yeah the plug is out of the boat.

 

[glastron09]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

i have the same prop , chewed it up on a stump , bought a michigan wheel and had the other repaired, they are almost the exact prop

 

[etracer68]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

If you have a non-removable tank, it will be on the back or a side above the water line. There about 3/4 inch in size, with an opening pointed downword. Some people when they cover there boat, they cover the vent, and then it can only breath inside the boat. If you have removable tank, make sure the caps are closed. The boat should be up at the bow, so it can drain if water gets inside. Also the fuel fumes will if any, should go out the drain hole,(gas fumes are heaver then air). Sounds like you have a IO, there for inboard fuel tank. Your ski locker should also have a drain to the bilge area. Someone else may add to this, incase I missed something, or got something wrong. I have been around, and have had boats all my life, and am still learning everyday.

Personally, I would go with alum prop, if you boat where you may be hitting stuff. Michigan Wheel makes good props, and are less cost. But then again IBoats, has pretty good prices on props.

 

[RiverLance2012]

Re: What SS prop Should I buy?

Thank Etracer... Yeah I have an I/O. I am gonna try to get the bow up a little more today, I noticed yesterday under the plug on the cement was a circle of dampness, I'm wondering if just every now and then it is just barely dripping out. I need to get that bow up more definitely! As for the prop I ordered one last night off ebay it was $149.00 brand new p/n 48-832832A45... This is the same part number that is already on the boat.