Is This Prop Toast?

[iceintheveins]

Noticed I have a bent prop today. Is it toast? Thankfully I have another one if it is.

[slonezp]

Toast is made from bread. That appears to be made of stainless steel.

[Angry John]

Props can be repaired.  Worth the effort not to tear up the lower unit.

[fishnkamp]

See if you have a good local prop shop nearby.  Get a quote from them.  Use your spare in the mean time.

If you have trouble finding a local shop there are some good ones you can ship it to.  Check into Mark Croxton and his prop shop.  I have heard nothing but great things so maybe give him a call and discuss what you are interested in getting done. He can repair, balance, add any cup or tweak you may want.

http://www.marksprops.com/

[NHBull]

Stainless can be a tough fix and being out of balance can raise he'll on your low end.

 

Aluminum is far easier to fix

[Further North]

That prop can be fixed, get it to a prop shop.

 

 

[WRB]

Stainless steel is easier to repair then a aluminum props. A good prop shop can straighten it, weld it and re pitch the damaged prop like new.

Tom

[J Francho]

Last time I sent my three blade prop out for a similar repair, around $140.  An Aluminum prop would have been toast if it hit the same obstruction.

[NHBull]

I would also check the shaft to be sure nothing bent there.......

My prop guy find damage close to 50% of the time that much damage is done to a stainless prop

[Bulletman20XD]

As Tom said, a SS prop can be fixed, but repairs are limited to straightening, and welding of a crack, polishing and rebalancing. A chunk of a blade or the entire blade is missing cannot be repaired.

[TOXIC]

Easily fixed by a good prop shop and a great time to have it worked to improve your performance.  For reference, I had this prop repaired and worked to give my Ranger a little more bow lift.  All 3 blades were trashed and some material gone.  

 

 

[J Francho]

4 hours ago, Bulletman20XD said:

A chunk of a blade or the entire blade is missing cannot be repaired.

 

Sure it can.

http://www.marksprops.com/about.html

[Bulletman20XD]

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

 

Sure it can.

http://www.marksprops.com/about.html

 

Sorry, what I should have said is that most shops will not attempt to do so because of the risk of another catastrophic failure. Imagine a large chunk or an entire blade flying off at 6000 RPM!

[J Francho]

Mark's work is legendary in the performance bass boat world.  Prices are really reasonable, too.  Repaired and cupped my Trophy Plus.

[WRB]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Mark's work is legendary in the performance bass boat world.  Prices are really reasonable, too.  Repaired and cupped my Trophy Plus.

Phils Prop shop out west has the same reputation, there are some excellent prop shop around.

Tom

[Further North]

7 hours ago, Bulletman20XD said:

 

Sorry, what I should have said is that most shops will not attempt to do so because of the risk of another catastrophic failure. Imagine a large chunk or an entire blade flying off at 6000 RPM!

Most props don't spin at engine RPM. 

[Bulletman20XD]

12 hours ago, Further North said:

Most props don't spin at engine RPM. 

 

Well aware of that tidbit of information---Thanks

[Further North]

4 hours ago, Bulletman20XD said:

 

Well aware of that tidbit of information---Thanks

OK...couldn't figure out where you were going with it...

[iceintheveins]

Shaft was not bent, just got my stainless back today as good as new. Gotta go get another cotter pin though. I hate those things. 

[WRB]

1 hour ago, iceintheveins said:

Shaft was not bent, just got my stainless back today as good as new. Gotta go get another cotter pin though. I hate those things. 

Cotter pin? Your prop lock nut should have a locking tab washer.

Tom

[TOXIC]

My 250 Yamaha has both.  

[J Francho]

7 hours ago, WRB said:

Cotter pin? Your prop lock nut should have a locking tab washer.

Tom

 

Both my 115 elpto and Merc 2.5L shorty have both.  I really don't feel like the cotter pin is necessary, and I've seen planty of guys run with just the locking washer.

[MickD]

On 8/8/2017 at 3:50 PM, NHBull said:

I would also check the shaft to be sure nothing bent there.......

My prop guy find damage close to 50% of the time that much damage is done to a stainless prop

Would not damage/bending that is severe enough to damage other parts be detectable by vibration/feel?

[TOXIC]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

Would not damage/bending that is severe enough to damage other parts be detectable by vibration/feel?

 

Not necessarily, it only takes a fraction to put a prop shaft out of shape and although you cannot feel it, it will wallow out your prop shaft seal allowing water intrusion and then you grenade a lower unit.  

[J Francho]

18 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

 

Not necessarily, it only takes a fraction to put a prop shaft out of shape and although you cannot feel it, it will wallow out your prop shaft seal allowing water intrusion and then you grenade a lower unit.  

 

I resemble that remark!  Though a bent shaft wasn't the cause.