Hit a rock with my Stainless Steel prop on my Evinrude E-Tec 115 horse

[tcbass]

Was backing out from the dock on a lake that I've fished for years and never had any problems. It is a really popular lake and has tons of boats use it a day. Can't believe there was a rock there. 

 

It seemed to damage the prop and not the skeg. 

 

 

How bad is it? Do I need a new prop?

 

 

I saw a video on Evinrude's website where a guy used a wrench and 2 hammers to bend back these blades. Could I do that and avoid the mechanic?

 

Anyone know what size prop this boat uses? I would like to get an aluminum prop and put that on this.

 

 

[Catt]

Ya good!

 

Unless ya totally confident with your abilities take it to a professional.

[slonezp]

The great thing about this country is we have freedom of choice. So, yes you can attempt the repair on your own. Or you can have a professional do it correctly. If it is out of balance, you will be paying for additional repairs to the lower unit. 

[tcbass]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

Ya good!

 

Unless ya totally confident with your abilities take it to a professional.

 

 

Im good as in keep driving it or it needs to be fixed?

[fishnkamp]

That prop needs to be properly repaired to avoid damaging your outboard further and costing much more money in repairs..

I would remove the prop and look for a local prop repair shop. 

 

Filling out your profile on this board allows other members to see what state you live in so we can try to help you.  Not knowing where you live I will give you a couple of choices that I know do good work.

You could choose to send it to one of these or find one near you.

 

I know a lot of guys with finely tuned bass boats use Mark Croxton. He runs Marks High Performance Propeller. Here is his website.  http://www.marksprops.com/

 

There is a good prop shop in Soddy Daisy Tennessee (near Chatanooga TN).  It is called Dan's Prop Shop INc. Here is his website.   http://danspropshop.com/

 

If you line anywhere near MD  we use Miller Island Propellers.  They did an awesome custom job for me l2 years ago.   Here is their website.  http://www.millersislandprop.com/

 

To repair it correctly they will need to get it back into shape, and rebalance it most likely.  It is much more complicated than just banging on it a little. Trying to do it yourself will probably end in a cracked ear and a trip to the prop shop anyway. 

 

[WIGuide]

Looks like it needs to go off to the prop shop for a proper fix. It shouldn't set you back too much. Attempting to fix it could work or you could make the damage worse so I'd just send it off. In the future, do yourself a favor and trim your motor up anytime you're idling around in shallow water and 99% of the time it'll prevent issues like this in the future. 

[Crappiebasser]

I would get it fixed and balanced but it would probably work like it is. You need to check the prop shaft run out too.

[WRB]

At least you were backing up and not turning high rpm's. 

The damage needs to be repaired by a good prop shop, most will give you a loner while it's in the shop. Heating the Stainless steel to repair the prop may require removing and replacing the hub clutch, can't do that at home.

Without knowing where you are located suggesting a shop isn't possible.

Tom

[Catt]

4 hours ago, tcbass said:

 

 

Im good as in keep driving it or it needs to be fixed?

 

Ya good as in ya don't need a new prop

 

Personal I wouldn't get an aluminum prop, your damage would have been worse.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Take it to a good prop shop and have it fixed.  It needs to be balanced after fixed.  I've had mine done a couple times.  Like Catt said.  If it was AL.  It would have been bad.

[tcbass]

22 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Ya good as in ya don't need a new prop

 

Personal I wouldn't get an aluminum prop, your damage would have been worse.

 

 

True, but wouldn't an aluminum shock absorb the damage and save the lower unit, while a stainless steel one might transfer more of it into the lower unit potentially ruining it?

[Catt]

In my personal opinion that's minor prop damage, I got a prop guy that would have it fixed easily.

 

Below is what happened the last time I loaned my boat out!

 

That's 3 out of 3 blades with no damage to the lower unit!

[J Francho]

Take it to a prop guy.  It isn't that much.  Heck, it was reasonable to have Trophy Plus cupped to 27.

[slonezp]

You will lose performance with an aluminum prop. If you are running in shallow rocky water I'd be more worried about damaging the hull and not the prop

[J Francho]

Looked it up, I payed $145 to make my 3-blade prop look brand new after fishing Prop-eater Lake, er I mean Oneida for the first time, lol.

[tcbass]

14 minutes ago, slonezp said:

You will lose performance with an aluminum prop. If you are running in shallow rocky water I'd be more worried about damaging the hull and not the prop

 

 

Mostly sandy bottom. But somehow a rock right at the landing. 

 

I'm ok with losing performance, I'm not making long runs. 

 

All rocks are under water, deep enough to not hit hull but hit motor lower unit. 

[Jeff H]

Formula Propeller is your local source for repair, located in/near Osseo.

[tcbass]

5 hours ago, Jeff H said:

Formula Propeller is your local source for repair, located in/near Osseo.

 

 

Thanks. I'm in MN. 

[Jeff H]

I know, so am I. 

9 hours ago, tcbass said:

 

 

Thanks. I'm in MN.