Prop Damage: Repair or Replace

[SwiftCloud]

In a mysterious turn of events, my prop has been damaged (I don't know how / when). When I bought the boat 4 years ago, I had the prop reconditioned. Should I be buying a new prop or can this be repaired?

All three blades are damaged. See Photos:

 

[georgemjr]

A good prop shop should be able to bring that back to as new condition. It would be cheaper to go that route. Unless you were thinking about changing pitch, it is probably the way to go...

 

[Parthery]

Replace it and keep that one a spare to get you home in an emergency.

Do a search for Yamaha Props(or Merc - the Mirage Props perform well) on eBay. You can probably pick up a gently used one that someone else bought and then found it was the wrong size. I've bought and sold a half dozen props that way and pay about half the cost of a new one.

 

[uncljohn]

that prop looks pretty rusty. Was it like that 4 years ago after it was reconditioned?

I'm sure it could be ground down, but those are significant dings so it won't be 'like new'. The shop would need to grind a good 1/8-1/4" off the edges of every blade to get it even.

I'd do what Parthery said and buy a new one and keep this as a spare (after you get it ground down).

 

[georgemjr]

Prop shops don't just "grind down" dings. They add metal to the necessary areas re-shape and bring back to original size and shape and pitch. They also polish them in the process. If you ever have the opportunity, check out a reputable shop. Most will show you the process. They do return them to "as new."

 

[rml2112]

I just had my prop done, re hubed also, looks very nice much cheaper than a new one

 

[richie rich]

SwiftCloud, bring it to H&H propeller on the Salem/Beverly town line..I've used them before...good job and reasonable.

 

[Pauleye]

Prop Help

Go to PropMD.com Great work at a great price.

 

[hotajax]

Suggestion about Effed-Up Prop

Send the pics to Bay Propeller in Chesapeake VA to see what he thinks - He's a good reliable shop. My two cents - it looks very repairable.

 

[saltypup]

That prop is absolutely repairable and a good prop shop will make it better than a new prop. What I mean by that is that most off the shelf props are not perfect. If you have them ran on a propscan machine the pitch varies widely making them at best "Class two or three"(a prop designation) . For most of our applications its close enough so it really doesn't matter but a good prop shop will return that prop to you as a "Class 1" prop and it will be cheaper than a new prop.