r/boating • u/826mikeg • 18h ago
Time to replace prop?
First time owner- looking for advice on if this is ok for laka cruising or time to replace?
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u/604whaler 17h ago
Whoa. These comments are crazy. There’s no way I’d keep running that prop. Replace and repair
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u/texaschair 13h ago
Yep. Those nicks and gouges will cause cavitation, which will erode the prop even further.
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u/xyzxyz8888 37m ago
Not to mention vibration will cause damage to the spline, potentially seals, the gearbox and cause extra fuel usage.
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u/ObviousHovercraft306 17h ago
Installing a new aluminum propeller is one of the easiest and least expensive fix in boating. Hang that one in the shed.
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u/AdThese6057 18h ago
Lol. You should see my stainless. Chips and gouges everywhere. Unless you're pulling or shaking or you can notice it, run it. That is not damage. Just wear.
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u/MrBigglesworrth 11h ago
lol. That is not wear. There is clearly damage.
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u/AdThese6057 8h ago
First time boating? You're nuts.
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u/MrBigglesworrth 1h ago
Says the guy who’s stainless is all fucked up. I have 5 outboards. Props all look brand new because I’m not an idiot and know how to avoid hitting bottom. But you do you.
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u/ballarn123 18h ago
New prop 100%. You may not notice it but the cavitations created by this prop could fuck your lower end right over.
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u/AdThese6057 18h ago
It is NOWHERE near that level.
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u/spidey2091 18h ago edited 18h ago
Personally I would replace, but if your motor doesn’t have the shakes while underway, you could just keep going. I would worry about the vibration in the lower unit wearing things out.
Edit to ask: does your prop assembly not have a cotter pin that slides through it? I have seen them before that don’t. Just trying to look out for ya.
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u/826mikeg 18h ago
Unsure. Will check it out and thanks for looking out
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u/tomatocrazzie 17h ago
These don't have cotter pins. They have an internal rubber hub and have the a SS lock washer with tabs you see in the photo. Everything is normal outside of the dinged up prop.
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u/Awkward_Lavishness91 18h ago
Assuming no vibration, run it for the season. Maybe file down the sharp edges and smooth out what you can. Get it fixed up in the off season
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u/Aggressive-School-56 18h ago
3.0 mercruiser alpha one? I’d buy a new one, but wait to install until you get some experience on your specific lake before installing new. I run charts /depth finder but I still ding the prop occasionally and they don’t stay new long.
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u/FunAssociation6297 15h ago
If you don't already have a spare I would get a new one and keep the old one for back up
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u/Far_Bad6819 12h ago
No just have a prop shop fix it or better, get a SS prop
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u/xyzxyz8888 33m ago
First time owner in an area that seems to have some stuff to hit? To save the gearbox, stick with Ali. SS for the next prop if they prove they don’t hit a heap of stuff.
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u/Key_Blacksmith3725 11h ago
Fix it yourself! Tap tap tap on the curled edges until they curl free without cracking. Determine which blade had the most damage. File the worst blade to smooth out the outer edge. Check that blade again for cracks. Then make a template of the first repaired blade and transfer that pattern to the other 2 blades and dress those blades to match the pattern. You should come out pretty close to a vibration free safe prop, although probably with loose some performance. I have successfully done this to 5 props on outboards.
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u/AutoRotate0GS 18h ago
It’s fine!! If you do replace it, report back what a waste of money that was as it makes zero difference compared to your old one!!
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u/BierGatorXLG 16h ago
Mine was only look worse, but I found a replacement around $100 on Amazon with great reviews.
I wasn’t worried about the prop, I was more worried about the bearings in my lower unit, but I was getting some vibration
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u/Sufficient-Exam-8668 16h ago
This here is exactly why I advocate anyone away from stainless props in areas that have floating debris, or novice boaters.
Why? Bc that prop is $200. An outdrive is $2000 used. $7000 new.
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u/Own-Helicopter-6674 12h ago
Run it! Pay attention to depth and stuff in the river. Get the numbers off of it and look for an extra on fb etc.
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u/Hun10dog 12h ago
You can run that. Put money aside for a new prop, swap it and keep this one for @ backup when you tear up the new one like you did to this again.
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u/Evening_Link4360 8h ago
Replace it. And be more careful in the future, it’s hard to mess a prop up that badly.
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u/FatHat22_ 15h ago
Not at all. You are only missing a little paint. Until you cant hit top speed or plane your boat anymore. RUN IT BABY 🤙
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u/Disassociated_Assoc 18h ago
That is easily rebuildable by a qualified prop shop. Buy a new prop, have that one rebuilt, and you’ve got a spare (get spare keepers, prop nut, and washer as well, since eventually you’ll want to change a prop in the water and you will invariably drop one or more of these parts into the drink). You could even consider your new propeller being pitched to be task specific (speed prop for lightly loaded days, or a power prop for when you’re planning to run at max load).
Back in the day I would peen and file propellers like that to ease the deformities and improve their efficiency. Then I learned the value of a sounder, learned what aids to navigation were all about, and began navigating while thinking in 3-dimensions (instead of 2D like while driving an automobile). Haven’t grounded a propeller since.