Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

[Petamocto]

Hello everyone,

I recently brought my 1996 SeaRay 175 BR w/ 3.0L Merc I/O to get serviced, and when they were testing it they hit the bottom and damaged my cheap plastic prop that came with it.

They gave me a metal replacement for it that they said is a better size/pitch/cup for what I have, but when I got home and went to install it I saw that it doesn't connect the same way.

Please see photo. What you are looking at on the left is the damaged plastic prop with the nut that it came with. When it's on those tabs bend around into the cogs into the built-in "gear" on the plastic prop. However, the new metal prop doesn't have those, nor does the nut even go down far enough to make it tight.

The problem is that the gear-like part on the plastic prop does not come off. It would be so much easier if that piece was just like a washer and I could put it on after the new prop to get that good fit, but like I said it's completely attached to the plastic prop (not seized, it's made that way).

Can I just buy that washer with the cogs in it so I can use the nut I already have? If so, is there a proper name for it so I can know what to look for? If not, is there another option like a spacer or something? I don't live very close to the boat dealer so I would really prefer to do it myself than trailer it back in to the city.

I have seen these full kits on Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCURY-QUI...ar&hash=item2c5a1dac1a&vxp=mtr#ht_2933wt_1270
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Propeller-N...ear&hash=item41636130bb&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1054

Thank you for any help.

(As an aside, if you know props and can comment on that new prop shape and what I can expect, I would appreciate that, too. Before my WOT was only 4000rpm but it should be about 4500, and from what I have seen that makes sense, these straight trailing edge cleaver props have less drag so you get more rpm to get into your powerband).

Sean

 

[Petamocto]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

Update: I have somewhat Jerry-rigged a solution consisting of a rubber and metal washer acting as spacers so the nut could tighten all the way, but it's not exactly the 100% solution since it's not locked in place. I don't leave it in the water and it's always on he trailer after every use so I can check it, but am I asking for a disaster by not having a propeller locked in place?

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

Go back to the outfit that gave you the prop and get the right stuff. Besides the parts you need to lock the nut on it looks like you also need the correct thrust washer that goes on the prop shaft first behind the prop. The thrust washer is VERY important. Sorry I don't remember what its called but the washer you need is splined and goes over the splines on the prop shaft and has the locking splines you need.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

Update: I have somewhat Jerry-rigged a solution consisting of a rubber and metal washer acting as spacers so the nut could tighten all the way, but it's not exactly the 100% solution since it's not locked in place. I don't leave it in the water and it's always on he trailer after every use so I can check it, but am I asking for a disaster by not having a propeller locked in place?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I'm surprised it moves the boat at all...

You need to get the proper hub kit that matches that Prop,....

 

[Petamocto]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

Thank you very much for the reply and the help. There was no washer on the prop that I had with it (the plastic one that came on the boat when I bought it).

I am not doubting at all what you're saying and I believe you because I have seen that washer on some "How To" videos on YouTube, but mine definitely didn't have it. The boat seemed to be running fine before, but do you know what sort of thing would go wrong with it if it wasn't there?

 

[Petamocto]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

1. I'm surprised it moves the boat at all...
2. You need to get the proper hub kit that matches that Prop,....

1. What do you mean? I believe you, but it seems to turn just as freely now as the old one did (?)
2. Thank you, knowing terminology like that will help.

Unfortunately this is likely going to mean trailering the thing back to that shop which is a huge pain in the *** with two young kids and the distance involved. Obviously I have no choice though if it's not going to fit properly.

Thank you again for replying, I appreciate it very much.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

You gotta have that hub kit. You can wreck your lower unit. The thrust washer takes all the pressure of the prop pushing the boat forward.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

There was no washer on the prop that I had with it (the plastic one that came on the boat when I bought it).

Ayuh,... The missin' parts are Prop specific, you changed the Prop, ya need the Right pieces for This prop, Now...

 

[Petamocto]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

Thank you everyone. Very happy I asked the question.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

What you are missing is called the spacer. On your plastic prop,it's part of the hub. On normal props, it's a separate piece that goes between the prop and the washer/nut.

The spacer has the notches on it that the tabs on the washer lock(bend) into. I recommend a new thrust washer as well.

DO NOT even think about trying to run it without the correct hardware. To do so would be flirting with disaster.

You can order the parts right from iboats and not have to drive anywhere.

 

[Petamocto]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

Thank you everyone for the replies.

I don't want to have anything shipped because it takes weeks to get to Canada even though in a lot of cases it's geographically closer. Then if it ends up not being the right size/fit/part I'm really SOL.

Just going to suck it up and bring the thing back to the shop so they can sort it out. It's not a matter of money, they're doing it free because they damaged the first one...just a PITA issue of having to take time off work, etc.

 

[Petamocto]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

What I have since learned in my new-to-boating life is that the thrust washer was in fact on there. I thought that part was part of the outdrive because it didn't easily come off, but when I brought it back to the shop he popped it right off to show me (so it wasn't as bad as I was thinking). He was able to make a good spacer/nut combo for the outside, too, so next time I get it on the water I'll give a last update.

 

[WD40.1]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

What they put on should look like this:
http://www.marineengine.com/products/accessory.php?in=2615150
I had to use the same kit on an older High-Five prop.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Please help: New prop with different nut requirement?

The prop on the right is hubbed for Yamaha, which will work on a Merc. You may have to play with the thrust washer, perhaps use a Yamaha thrust washer to get it to seat right.