Can I "fix" This Propeller?

[livemusic]

I bent my prop in the garage when I thought the truck was in park but it was in reverse and it went back and hit the friggin wall. GF wanted me to hurry up and move the boat so she could put her car in the garage in case it hailed from an inbound storm. Of course, it barely sprinkled rain. Truck was barely moving but this 20 year old prop must be really fragile because that vinyl siding broke it. Can I gently hammer or bend this back in shape, leave it alone or what? Will it make the ride shaky? What are these props made of, it's certainly not high quality.

 

Anyone know how much cheap replacement props for a 1997 Tracker (Mercury) motor costs and where I can find one? And is there any prop made for this engine to give it more speed? It goes fast enough, I guess I am curious, though.

 

I suppose I could buy a new prop if I can't find a used one and then use this bent one as a spare. I expect to have some prop dents, we have a lot of stumps around here. I wonder if stainless steel is worth it. But this is not an expensive boat, just totally adequate and functional.

 

[F14A-B]

Look for a prop repair facility, we have one locally. I repaired my aluminum props a few times before I bit the bullet on a S.S. prop.. If you can find one it can be repaired. But I would encourage you to consider buying a extra prop.. It's nice to have!

[Scott F]

"You" probably can't fix it, but like he said in the other post, take it to a prop shop and they'll make it look just like new for a lot less money than a new one will cost. Any shop that repairs a lot of props will probably have some used props for sale as well.

[slonezp]

Prop repair runs about 50% of a new prop. Depending on the damage, they can be repaired a couple times

[Way2slow]

If you are asking can it be repaired by a prop shop, probably, but looking at the other blade, it needs a major rebuild.

Now, if you are asking, can you repair it yourself, probably not, unless you are good with a TIG, have the dies to reshape the blades, can press in a new hub, and the machine to balance it.

I hope you know, running damaged, out of balanced props can destroy your lower unit, I've even seen them break the prop shaft off.

[WIGuide]

Can be fixed, by a prop shop. Otherwise, you can replace it with a new or used prop as long as you know what you're looking for. If it were me, I'd buy a used stainless prop for it.

[livemusic]

Can be fixed, by a prop shop. Otherwise, you can replace it with a new or used prop as long as you know what you're looking for. If it were me, I'd buy a used stainless prop for it.

 

I am having a heckuva time finding a prop via Google search. I finally have a guy on chat from Overton's as we speak. Maybe he can find the prop. Do you know where I can buy a used one?

 

Anyone got any idea of costs of repair, used prop cost, new prop cost? This is 3-blade. Numbers on prop are 48 73140 A40 15P, so, I suppose that is 15 pitch.

 

EDIT: What does stainless do for me, just stronger? And could I buy a prop that makes the boat faster top end? EDIT: Overton's guy said he could get a higher pitch and make it faster but each inch increased pitch makes RPM's go down 200 rpm. Why does that matter? Overtax the engine or what? I don't know what RPM I am running at top speed because the tach is broke.

[WIGuide]

I am having a heckuva time finding a prop via Google search. I finally have a guy on chat from Overton's as we speak. Maybe he can find the prop. Do you know where I can buy a used one?

You can find them all the time on ebay or craigslist. Otherwise marine dealerships have used ones a lot of times. You need to know what you're looking for though. What brand is your outboard, the year of it, and the HP of it?

 

Anyone got any idea of costs of repair, used prop cost, new prop cost? This is 3-blade. Numbers on prop are 48 73140 A40 15P, so, I suppose that is 15 pitch. 

I'm not sure since I've never had one fixed before. Yes you would be correct that it's a 15 pitch

 

EDIT: What does stainless do for me, just stronger? And could I buy a prop that makes the boat faster top end? EDIT: Overton's guy said he could get a higher pitch and make it faster but each inch increased pitch makes RPM's go down 200 rpm. Why does that matter? Overtax the engine or what? I don't know what RPM I am running at top speed because the tach is broke.

Stainless doesn't flex like aluminum does so it provides a better grip on the water, so you gain a lot in the way of handling as well as better hole shot and usually higher top end (when propped correctly) They're also much more durable. You hit a stump with one and you might have a nick in the blade vs the blade being rolled over.  You don't want a prop that's too large because it will put too much stress on the motor, which leads to premature wear, and you can ruin you engine that way. You want your motor to be able to hit it's WOT RPM range when you are running at wide open throttle. If you want to change pitch, you need your tach fixed. You can go to a marine dealership and most of the time they let you try out prop (careful, you break it you buy it) but that will let you find what each prop will do. 

[livemusic]

FINAL EDIT: I found a new one for $95 shipped to me. Bought it.

 

=

 

I found a new aluminum one for $122 shipped to me. Is that a good price? Anyone have an idea how much it costs to repair one? I don't know a repair shop.

 

I found a used one for $55 that looks ugly but I don't see any dents. Looks like it ran in a sand bar some, or scraped bottom a lot due to paint wear.

 

Found one in pretty good shape, used, for $70 shipped.

 

This is 1997 Bass Tracker 40 hp Tracker motor (Mercury).

 

Local repair shop is quoting me $80 on the low end to repair. Still mad I dinged this, lol.

[slonezp]

I've never paid more than $70 to repair and I've chewed up many aluminum props. Stainless props are better performing, aluminum is more forgiving. If you run in shallow and/or rocky water, aluminum might be the better choice. Don't start changing pitch without a working tach

[noway]

http://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com/propellers/boat-propellers

 

Go to propellers and select. New menu opens and go to Props by Engine.  

[Canyon explorer]

Best to send it out to prop shop who can fix it and re balance the prop to keep vibration off the seals and motor.

[CWB]

If you want a new one, go to mercury site under props and plug in year and H.P. And boat length. This should give you the pitch, dia, and spline. Use this to search out aftermarket brands or ebay? Some models are interchangeable. I bought a stainless Suzuki for $75.00 new for my Yamaha. Slightly different pitch and dia.

Gets me out of the hole much faster but have to watch the RPM's at WOT. Good for taking the kids skiing and tubing. Maybe get ahold of tracker and they can let you know what size prop the motor came with. Best to stay as close to that as possible. Good luck.