Prop Fell off (Need help finding new one)

[pgibson]

I am new to this forum, but LOVE IT! I am a new boat owner. Never really rode in a boat and just last month bought my first boat. I have a 1988 Lund 2100 Baron with a 4.3 Mercruiser and I think an Alpha 1 outdrive. Anyway, lastnight we went out with some friends and when I put it in reverse I heard a clunk and the propeller was gone. Didnt hit anything. I think someone stole my bolt. Anyway, I need a new propeller. I have NO IDEA on what type I need. We use it for fishing mainly and we adopted an 11 year boy so we want him to invite friends out to go tubing. So top end speed is not an issue 35-40mph will be more than enough. We need it to be able to tow a 2 people in the tube and 5 others in the boat. Thats alot of weight. What pitch should I get? 3 vs 4 blades? It sounds like Stainless steel is the way to go. Any certain brand better than others? Thanks for your help and advice

 

[Kainon]

Re: Prop Fell off (Need help finding new one)

To prevent future problems like that, you can buy a "Prop lock"

Stainless will give you the best performance, but will give the worst damage if you hit something.

4 Blades bites more than 3, but you loose a little top end speed, but also gain out of the hole pulling.

You probably had a 14"x19P prop, if you went with a 4 blade, you would drop to a 18P (4 blades are usually even pitch, and 3 are odd, but they can be re-pitched)

I personnally and have friends and family that use Piranha Propellers and love them. Lifetime HUB Warranty, and cheap and easy to replace/repitch the prop.

Saw you want to go cruising and it's just you and 1 person, you could drop a 21 or 23p blades on, or if you had a heavy load and are tubing. you can drop to 17p.. then for regular use, put the 19p on.

 

[jdub2]

Re: Prop Fell off (Need help finding new one)

I agree with the above, I'd start with an inexpensive 3 blade aluminum 19" pitch or possibly a 17" pitch, and if you don't like it, adjust up or down from there.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Prop Fell off (Need help finding new one)

My Grandpa runs a 4 blade on his 5.7L 2250 Baron and loves it, He also added the automatic trim tabs sold here on iBoats and it really helped with getting the boat up on plane. As you know these are not light boats, your speed seems pretty good with the 4.3L as we only get about 43mph gps out of my Grandpa's 5.7L

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Prop Fell off (Need help finding new one)

If you find a good marina they'll often allow you to try out props, swapping up or down if you need. The place I get my rebuilds done allows it, but only on Stainless Steel props, and the returned one must be in good condition, etc....

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Prop Fell off (Need help finding new one)

wait, so was the prop gone before you took the boat out. Or did it fall out sometime after you were already out on the water?

If the later, sounds like the nut wasnt torqued to spec.

 

[starcraft1982]

Re: Prop Fell off (Need help finding new one)

It would be very beneficial to be able to try out a few different props.With that said,from your statements in original thread,stainless is the way to go.As for three blade or four,since you said top end wasnt so important,i would choose four blade for better "get up and go"(holeshot and midrange).Pitch will probably be 18 as suggested earlier.Just bpe sure it doesnt overrev that motor or make it lug too much.Find the recommended rpm range and stay in it.I believe you would want to stay on the lower side if wot recommended range when lightly loaded.Someone please correct me if that is backwards,however i dont believe so.DO buy an aluminum(cheap)as a SPARE to keep on the boat in case,oh,i dont know,YOUR PROP WOULD FALL OFF!!!!!

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Prop Fell off (Need help finding new one)

when lightly loaded id want to be as close to max rpm wot as possible so when you load up weight you wont lose too much.theres usually only one reason a prop falls off and that is by not using or forgetting to use a cotterpin.been there and experienced it, so i purchased a new stainless and a prop lock for piece of mind as you know how some people love to collect shiney things. if i remember correctly for mercs you have to bend up the locking tabs ,correct?

 

[BoomerSooner]

Re: Prop Fell off (Need help finding new one)

If I were you, I'd try a Solas Amita 4 blade 14 1/4" by 19P, sold on Iboats. $102 shipped. Then, if you like the prop, upgrade to a stainless one. You need a spare prop anyway. A 17" would be good too, but might push your WOT up too high, especially on a 22 year old engine. I have one my self, on a different boat, and I love it. It's my main prop.