When Does A Prop Need To Be Replaced Or Reconditioned?

[BassnChris]

When does a prop need to be replaced or reconditioned?

What do you look for to make the determination?

[FlipnLimits]

Chris

 

If your boat is shaking and rattling, it's time.  If you aren't getting the same top speed, it's time.  If you lose an ear to your prop, it's time.  Keep in mind, a single dent will slow your boat down a couple mph.  But I've seen guys run 'em when they have almost nothing left for propulsion   I'd say, if the prop is dinged on the edge of an ear, it's fine but if the ear has a bend to it, it should be addressed.

 

FL 

[Scott F]

Aside from a loss of speed, a dinged prop that is out of balance will wreck the shaft seals and let water into your lower unit.

[J Francho]

Let's see a pic.

[Jig Man]

Let's see a pic.

x2

[WIGuide]

If there are very small nicks in the edge of the blades it's not the greatest but it doesn't need to be rebuilt. If there's gouges out of it or a blade is bent or has a hunk out of it get it off of there asap.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Aside from a loss of speed, a dinged prop that is out of balance will wreck the shaft seals and let water into your lower unit.

 

This.  Any time I get a good ding or chunks I have mine redone.  I'm on #3 go around.  I may be a little overdoing it though.

 

Lets see a pic though.

[BassnChris]

boat does not shake, no speed issues that I notice,ect.

 

just little dings....nothing bent. not sure pics are good enough but here they are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[noway]

Take a file to the dings and go fishing.

[Long Mike]

It's not necessary to have the prop redone at this time.  However, with the fishing season coming up, I would have it redone.  There's a great shop in Broken Arrow.  Performance Propeller, 1505 E. Kenosha.  Ph. 918-251-4968.

[BassnChris]

Thanks everyone.

 

Appreciate it Mike......I'll give 'em a shout.

[FlipnLimits]

Give those burrs a scrub and enjoy your good conditioned prop!  The dings are on the edge as is normal for chunkin through gravel and you have no bends in the actual blade.  It's not perfect obviously, but still plenty good. 

 

FL

[BassnChris]

Mike and I popped the propeller off today after replacing the water pump ( thanks again Mike)

And I ran it down to performance propeller and showed it them. He called the dings rash and said he could take care of it. As he's writing up the ticket he mentions that after he straightens it, I should see a fair amount of performance improvement also. No idea that it was bent.

Now I am not a prop guy.......I know what they are and I know they shouldn't wobble. At least I think they shouldn't wobble. That's it. I guess I know where they are suppose to go to....but that's it.

It reaffirms my belief that while I may be able to do many things fairly well.......some things are just better left to the pros!

Prop will be ready on Friday.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I would have had it fixed also. I am picky on things like this and even a little ocd.

[BassnChris]

I would have had it fixed also. I am picky on things like this and even a little ocd.

Yep......this has been driving me nuts.

OCD........I like that. Everyone keeps telling me I axxx-retentive.

I like OCD much better!

[BassnChris]

Got the prop back all shiny and installed.

One step closer to being ready to go.

[BeckieC]

Yep......this has been driving me nuts.

OCD........I like that. Everyone keeps telling me I axxx-retentive.

I like OCD much better!

You are both

[Way2slow]

NEVER!!!, use a file on a prop.  Small bits of those hardened teeth on a file break off and emb in the metal so when it goes to the shop, they create all kind problems for the guy having to TIG metal back on edges to rebuild it.  Always use a sharpening stone.

 

One of the biggest causes of prop damage is power loading.  On most ramps, the bottom is close enough that you are sucking sand, rocks and all kinds of crap up and through the prop.  You won't see many people power loading with their $800 - $1,000 custom tuned props.  You get pretty good at getting the boat lined up and putting it all the way on the trailer with that first run toward it.  It also doesn't take much of a lick to roll an edge slightly.

 

Performance losses are much more noticeable on high performance bass boats than your average 45 to 60 mph boats. I  always keep a couple spare props ready to go, because even those small dings will cause several mph loss in speed and most of the time, if you have a good prop guy and he's only having to do those minor repairs, he doesn't charge you for a full rebuild.

 

One other word of prop advise.  Be careful having your prop worked on.  If you are one of those that want to dial in you setup, custom tuning a prop is a must and most custom tuners will not mess with a  prop someone else has already worked on.  So, if you have a nice prop needing work, that has not already been worked on by someone else, you might want to look into getting one tuned for your boat.  It's not that much more expensive than just having one rebuilt and can sometimes make a world of difference in how a boat performs.