Prop Damage question ??

djTOY_2000 · Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 23 City: Kalama

well, yesterday i seemed to have accidently and unfortunately ran into some shallow water and bent the edges/tip the prop to my boat. (all for blades have slight damage - see pictures below) i know the prop is going to have to be replaced, or repaired, but my question was this....

Was the damaged prop the reason i was getting a slightly disturbing vibration when going 25-30mph or could i have done more damge to something other than just the prop ?

we were able to continue the rest of the day fine as far as pulling a rider and doing some tubing fine other than that disturbing vibration.

djTOY_2000 · Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 23 City: Kalama

one other thing, i wasn't traveling fast at all, probably 2 mph tops when this unfortunate accident happend. stupid depth finder said i was jumpin from 3.7 - 4.2 ft in the area i was looking around in to chill at.

Broccoli B · Posted: Jun 12, 2006 8:31 am Post subject:

Yes, you'll need to replace the prop. For future reference it is very bad on the boat to drive around for an extended period of time with a vibration.

djTOY_2000 · Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 23 City: Kalama

what prop should i go with when replacing this damaged one ?

boarditup · Addict Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 731 City: Allendale, MI

Depends on the boat and motor combo. Most go with an Acme or OJ CNC machined prop. The SS you have is a lot of extra coin to replace and the CNC props do even a better job.

acurtis_ttu · Soul Rider Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 499 City: Houston

Can the SS props be repaired?

boarditup · Addict Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 731 City: Allendale, MI

Yes, they can be repaired. Essentially, they put the prop on a pitch block and hammer it back into position, sometimes with some heat to avoid metal fatigue. SS props are harder to damage, but also harder to repair right. Holland Propleller, in Holland, MI, has a good reputation.

Not all prop damage can be repaired. If the prop has a bend more than about 1-1.5" from the edge, it will probably be very hard to get back into shape and you will have some vibration.

Get a new NiBrAl prop and get your SS repaired and keep it as a spare. Make sure you have a prop puller, parts, and tools available.

grapic · Outlaw Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 192

That doesn't look like a SS prop. Looks like stock nibral or brass, not cnc version. It can be repaired easily from that much damage. That amoung of damage can cause significant vibration. Probably didn't hurt anything else with that minor damage.

swilly · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 362 City: Eugene

Prop repair for something like that shouldn't cost more than $120. Call your local marine repair shops, they probably send them out for repair for you!