Cheapest Place To Buy A Outboard Prop?

[tcbass]

I was going almost full speed with my Minn Kota 80lbs trolling motor on my 17' Crestliner Fishhawk and must of hit a rock or log.

When I got home I noticed that I had broken off one of the blades of my prop. It was a prop that had been fixed earlier because the edges were bent up so it might have had a stress issue at one point.

Either way I need a new prop. I use this boat for fishing, not skiing or pulling weight. It's a 17-1/2' Crestliner Fishawk with a 2000 Mercury 115 horse.

What's the cheapest place to get a prop and what pitch is best for my needs?

[WIGuide]

A trolling motor would not be going fast enough to complete knock a blade off on a prop. More likely than not there was another issue there. 

 

To answer your question though, the cheapest place to buy one would be to buy used. There are tons of people out there who don't actually try before they buy and end up with a prop that won't perform on their boat so they sell a prop that's almost new for not a whole lot. Places like craigslist or ebay will have some good deals on props if you look long enough. As for which prop is right for you...that's a tough one. Each hull and motor combination will need to be propped for best performance. Those performance characteristics will also be based on what the user is looking for. Unless we know what prop you had before, the rpm it was turning at WOT, how it performed, and also what you want it to do, it's pretty much impossible for us to tell you what you should be running.

[J Francho]

What kind of prop? Al or SS? Model/pitch? Might be able to repair it.

[NathanW]

I have bought all my props off of Ebay or PropMD. You really need to figure out the specifications of your broken prop or you are stuck with your best option being taking your boat into a dealer and asking them to figure out which prop you need and paying their premium price. Usually there are numbers stamped on the body of the prop that will tell you what size and pitch the prop is with a little help from Google. If you can find a used stainless prop for anywhere from 100-200 dollars on Ebay I would not hesitate. Small rocks and gravel will tear up aluminum but it usually takes pretty major impacts to hurt an SS prop. 

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Ss is the way to go in the long run and aluminum is easier to find and they make great spares.Check out old boat yards also you never know what u can find

[tcbass]

I have bought all my props off of Ebay or PropMD. You really need to figure out the specifications of your broken prop or you are stuck with your best option being taking your boat into a dealer and asking them to figure out which prop you need and paying their premium price. Usually there are numbers stamped on the body of the prop that will tell you what size and pitch the prop is with a little help from Google. If you can find a used stainless prop for anywhere from 100-200 dollars on Ebay I would not hesitate. Small rocks and gravel will tear up aluminum but it usually takes pretty major impacts to hurt an SS prop. 

 

 

But wouldn't a SS prop cause more damage to my lower unit if something is hit while the prop will be fine? I'd rather sacrifice the prop than the LU.

[J Francho]

The skeg is sacrificial. It protects the prop. There's nothing in the LU below the bulge. Put it this way, *usually* you have to get through the skeg to get to the prop. There isn't any protection on the sides of the prop, so maybe that's how you munched it.

[tcbass]

The skeg is sacrificial. It protects the prop. There's nothing in the LU below the bulge. Put it this way, *usually* you have to get through the skeg to get to the prop. There isn't any protection on the sides of the prop, so maybe that's how you munched it.

 

 

I was always told not to use a SS prop in lakes with objects that might be with with the motor because a SS prop won't bend or break and it'll f'up the lower unit while an aluminum prop would break first, saving the lower unit.

 

 

That's wrong?

[Fishing Rhino]

Not necessarily wrong.  It depends on the individual situation.  What you said about the SS prop's strength is correct.  However, an SS prop usually provides improved performance, and better fuel mileage.  Barring damage, the SS prop can save you money in the long run.

 

It's a compromise.  For example.  You fish a shallow pond with a lot of sand bars without rocks,  SS will be the way to go.  It will stand up to sandbars and mudflats better than aluminum.  If you fish where it's common to run into rocks, then aluminum might be better since it's less likely to tear up the innards of the lower unit.

[tomustang]

If you're going to chew up props, the LU will sooner or later follow.

But it seems like you had pre-existing issues with your prop to begin with

[tomustang]

Oh and the hub 'can' to be sacrifical depending on the model, not a skeg.

[J Francho]

The hub is sacrificial in terms of torque. It protects the lower unit, not really the prop.

[OkobojiEagle]

I have bought all my props off of Ebay or PropMD. You really need to figure out the specifications of your broken prop or you are stuck with your best option being taking your boat into a dealer and asking them to figure out which prop you need and paying their premium price. Usually there are numbers stamped on the body of the prop that will tell you what size and pitch the prop is with a little help from Google. If you can find a used stainless prop for anywhere from 100-200 dollars on Ebay I would not hesitate. Small rocks and gravel will tear up aluminum but it usually takes pretty major impacts to hurt an SS prop. 

 

With the knowledge and advice that comes with their prop, your local marina's price might be your cheapest price...

 

 

oe

[tcbass]

So you guys are saying run a SS prop and the props hub will break before the outboard's lower unit will? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It appears to be a #77350A45 which is a 12.5 diameter with a 23 pitch and RH rotation.

 

 

Didn't find any on craiglist. 

[NathanW]

I was always told not to use a SS prop in lakes with objects that might be with with the motor because a SS prop won't bend or break and it'll f'up the lower unit while an aluminum prop would break first, saving the lower unit.

 

 

That's wrong?

A newer hub will slip or break upon impact to protect the lower unit. I would not be afraid to use SS for that reason but cannot gaurantee to anyone that they will not tear up thier lower Unit. I have gone through that after sucking up a shore guys braid and its awfull. You would not believe how expensive those parts in there are. An SS prop will pay for itself quickly if you find yourself replacing/repairing aluminums often. Low speed impact wont even scatch a good SS (from my experiance).

[J Francho]

I've got a SS Fury II 23" pitch on my Merc 115. It motivates my 18" Xpress just fine.

[J Francho]

Shoot, check that, it's a Lazer II, not a fury. Sorry for that.

[Way2slow]

Check with a dealer. Be surprised at what a good prop shop can do. Most larger dealers have prop repair services that pick up and drop off and usually takes about a week or less. Or if you live close to a prop shop, take it by there. They usually have a rack or room full of used props, might find one there.

Aluminum props are not that expensive, even new.

Check this one out http://www.kijiji.ca/v-boat-parts-trailer-accessories/ottawa/new-condition-quicksilver-alum-h-12-5x23p-3-blade-prop-r/1084965384

[tcbass]

Check with a dealer. Be surprised at what a good prop shop can do. Most larger dealers have prop repair services that pick up and drop off and usually takes about a week or less. Or if you live close to a prop shop, take it by there. They usually have a rack or room full of used props, might find one there.

Aluminum props are not that expensive, even new.

Check this one out http://www.kijiji.ca/v-boat-parts-trailer-accessories/ottawa/new-condition-quicksilver-alum-h-12-5x23p-3-blade-prop-r/1084965384

 

 

 

Thanks! Good info.

[J Francho]

That one even comes with a hub! They aren't but like $15, but it's still a good deal.

[Way2slow]

After looking, that one may not be an option, out of country somewhere.  Looks like maybe Ontario Canada and that may be Canadian dollars.

[J Francho]

See, the prop is totally unharmed. Note the scuff marks on the skeg, lol.

[Way2slow]

That's one way to ruin your day.

Looks like a couple OMC/BRP Lightning gear cases I've seen.

[J Francho]

Pretty sure that's a merc case. People ask me why I live/hate Oneida. This is why. I remember once coming off pad, and realized I was right on an unmarked shoal. I have no idea how my LU survived!