Before I drop $350. ...

[Steel 0]

Is there a better way?

Ok lets back track with the abreviated version:

Yesterday was supposed to be the first time back on the lake, and after many recent repairs, it was set. Recently we noticed the prop shaft bearing was hosed. Lets just say that took 2 weeks to fix. First the prop wouldn't come off, then the torch wouldn't make it so that is could come off. Still I didn't want to buy a prop puller, finally the gear puller I rented started to do the trick but only after applying heat from the torch, simultaneously. Then the prop shaft bearings wouldn't come off regardless of what we tried. Then an internet search showed how to make a home bearing press, cheaply. Oh and before that it took days to get the prop shaft strut off. After buying the right size screw driver, it was discovered that there were bolts that required taking the floor board off to reach them.

So we get out the lake and the boat is overheating. After an hour or so of troubleshooting, we find that the impeller was on backwards. None the less its all figured out and the boat is maintaining 170 degrees. running smoothly as can be. Man its so awesome, we got so much more power than ever before with this new strut bearing. Lets go skiing, YEAH BABY! Lets pick the girls up at the shore and head out after all, its 7pm and we are running out of sunlight.

Everybody is in the boat, backing up and suddenly CLUNK!!! Damn was what that, full throttle forward. Man that if vibrating worse than it ever has. We can't ski like this. Lets take it out of the water and see whats wrong. Oh F&*#!, one of the three prop blades is totally fu&^#d up. Ok, I guess I need to replace the prop. Aleast now we know how to change it.

So, is there a better way? could it be fixed? the dented part of the blade at least 3X6 inches. Its not a little dent. How much would I save by having it repaired, if that was possible. Am I looking in the wrong places, that is could I find the prop cheaper? The cheapest I have found is $350. Should I consider a 4 blade as the replacement? On the internet searches, it said that the four blades were more stable and produced better acceleration.

Any ideas from someone who owns a ski or speedboat, will be appreciated, especially from those who may have had to replace props before. I find that its always after you have a major repair that you then find out how much cheaper if could have been if you did it another way.

Cheers all,

If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.

[happythoughts 0]

Many motors come with an aluminum prop.
Those are just accidents waiting to happen.
The first thing they hit will ruin them.

Spend the money and buy stainless steel.
SS will not flex as much as aluminum, so you get
a lot more top end. Plus, they can eat a lot of stuff
that damages aluminum.

If you do a lot of lake boating, you'll hit some wood. SS may bounce up off a limb, alum will mangle.

If you currently have a SS prop, it can be "rebuilt"
for a lot less than a new one. I always kept a rebuilt one at home as a spare.

[airtwardo 7]

If you currently have a SS prop, it can be "rebuilt"

Quote

Yup...depending on the extent of the damage, the cost usually starts at about 30% of what a new one would cost, if it's REALLY mangled might be as much as 50-60 % or a couple hundred bucks...

I ran a couple years on a rebuilt SS prop that actually had part of one blade sheared off, they EB welded a new blade on, heat treated it to get the exact pitch again...good as new.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[Steel 0]

Quote

If you currently have a SS prop, it can be "rebuilt"

Quote

Yup...depending on the extent of the damage, the cost usually starts at about 30% of what a new one would cost, if it's REALLY mangled might be as much as 50-60 % or a couple hundred bucks...

I ran a couple years on a rebuilt SS prop that actually had part of one blade sheared off, they EB welded a new blade on, heat treated it to get the exact pitch again...good as new.

I actually found a place that would do it for 100 bucks and turn turn in around in a couple of days, which is a relief for sure. Its a bronze propeller. I am not sure what that implies, but I think for now, I am just going to have it fixed and try to be more careful.

Thanks for your input air and happy.

If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.

[jsaxton 0]

I have an OJ HI5 5 blade SS prop on my barefoot boat.
I put a 2 inch crack in one of the blades and no-one would touch it.

Just be happy, a new HI5 is about $700

[jsaxton 0]

It's probably NIBRAL, not Bronze.