Help first time boater with prop selection

[4runneradam]

I got my first boat last season. 1985 Bayliner Capri 16' Open bow with a 1985 Force 85hp outboard. The prop had a few chips and knicks in it when I got it. Last week I took it out on the Ohio river. I hit something going about 35mph. Felt fine after that, maybe a little vibration when going slower. After further inspection, 2 of the 3 blades are "cupped" a little more than they should be. Here's a pic. Kind of hard to see the severity of the bent blades, but its there.

I'm thinking I should just go ahead and replace it rather than repair it. The prop repair shop said up to $60 for repair including welding. I've seen new props for $85. So I was thinking I should just get a new one and keep this one as a spare.

I'd like to spend more time on the Ohio river rather than the lakes that I have been going to. But the Ohio can have a lot of floating debris like logs that will damage the prop. So I was thinking about a composite prop with the replaceable blades. I just basically cruise around on the river, nothing special. I might occasionally pull a person on a tube, but that will be very seldom. Usually just have a few friends with me cruising around.

What are the specs you would recommend for me to get? And which type/brand/model would you recommend? I'm looking for durability but not something that will break the bank, and not something that will be so durable that it will damage my lower using (SS)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Help first time boater with prop selection

Composites are really intended as a "spare" and few people actually run them all the time. Buy what have now if you were happy with the performance. You have three choices: Composite, aluminum, and stainless. Stainless is costly, tough, but hit something and it damages the lower unit which you said you don't want. Composite is cheap. aluminim provides good all around performance. My vote is to replace what you have with the same style prop.

 

[4runneradam]

Re: Help first time boater with prop selection

OK, I guess I could go with another aluminum. I just don't want to have to fix/replace the whole prop every time I hit something.

I'll probably get a new prop and try to heat and bend this one back into shape and keep it as a spare.


Where is the best/cheapest place to get a decent aluminum prop? And I'm sure there are different grades of aluminum used which are stronger than others. Any certain brand hold up better?

 

[4runneradam]

Re: Help first time boater with prop selection

And how do I know what pitch I have on it now?