Choosing a Prop

Dave R · 07-12-2017, 10:41 AM

Engine makes a huge difference in the prop selection process. Anything over 4.3 liters should really have a stainless steel prop, IMO. The torque that bigger engines make will flex the blades badly on an aluminum prop and make the boat feel mushy. Below 4.3 liters, there's not a big advantage to stainless steel. I suggest not hitting rocks no matter what you choose. I would get the damaged prop repaired by a local welder (cheaper than a prop shop) and use it as a spare.

Wiezy · 07-12-2017, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

I would get the damaged prop repaired by a local welder (cheaper than a prop shop)

Dave-
I've got an older damaged aluminum prop (1.5" chunk out of one of the blades) I'd like to have repaired to keep as a backup. We have a 3.0L I/O. A new prop is $125 so sending it for repair @ $80 seems a bit high. I'd be interested in any local welder suggestions you have, I called a few but none I called do this (East Coast Welding for example doesn't).

Thanks.
-Wiezy

Dave R · 07-12-2017, 12:40 PM

A guy named Brian Henderson in Belmot says he does them on a facebook post. He posted his number: 603-249-6002

I do not know Brian and have never seen his work in person, but prop repair ain't exactly rocket surgery, so I imagine he can easily fix it.

I would like to preemptively point out that despite a popular rumor, propellers do not need to be perfectly balanced. The bearings in the lower unit are easily able to handle unbalanced loads. I built a balance rig when I repaired a prop many years ago and got mine perfect. I then put a brand new prop on it and discovered it was way out of balance from the factory. Both props worked fine...

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07-12-2017, 10:41 AM	#1
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	Engine makes a huge difference in the prop selection process. Anything over 4.3 liters should really have a stainless steel prop, IMO. The torque that bigger engines make will flex the blades badly on an aluminum prop and make the boat feel mushy. Below 4.3 liters, there's not a big advantage to stainless steel. I suggest not hitting rocks no matter what you choose. I would get the damaged prop repaired by a local welder (cheaper than a prop shop) and use it as a spare.

07-12-2017, 12:40 PM	#3
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	A guy named Brian Henderson in Belmot says he does them on a facebook post. He posted his number: 603-249-6002 I do not know Brian and have never seen his work in person, but prop repair ain't exactly rocket surgery, so I imagine he can easily fix it. I would like to preemptively point out that despite a popular rumor, propellers do not need to be perfectly balanced. The bearings in the lower unit are easily able to handle unbalanced loads. I built a balance rig when I repaired a prop many years ago and got mine perfect. I then put a brand new prop on it and discovered it was way out of balance from the factory. Both props worked fine...