Prop Knick

[gibbywmu]

Ive got another question regarding my 97 22ft. Powerquest, 454 Mag. 7.4 Litre Bravo One. Ive got some prop damage on my stainless steel Mirage 3 blade prop. Its not that bad, a slight "twist" or so on one of the blades, maybe an inch or two long at most. Does anyone think that I am attaining top speed with this imperfection? With just me in the boat it runs about 65 MPH or so. No other flaws when I drive are noticed at all. I figured that the boat is so heavy small prop damage like that wouldnt even matter.

 

[DJ]

Re: Prop Knick

gibby,<br /><br />Prop damage is: damage.<br /><br />You're not doing your drive any good.

 

[Juancho]

Re: Prop Knick

I have a small nick in my prop from earlier in the season. It's about an inch long and only 1/16 inch deep. It is pretty insignificant and does not effect performance at all. I just used a file and did my own prop reconditioning.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Prop Knick

I would not run with an inch-long defect. That means you either hit rock or metal. Check the lower part of your drive very carefully.<br /><br />Also, a prop rebuilder told me not to use a file on stainless steel---it embeds a different type of metal in the prop and weakens the edge. Use emery cloth or sandpaper.

 

[Juancho]

Re: Prop Knick

It was a rock actually. I hit it while idling in gear. Thankfully I didn’t have any throttle in when I hit or it would have done some serious damage. As for the file, I’m not even sure if it would work on stainless. The metal maybe to hard. Sure does the trick on soft aluminum though. What about a Dremel?

 

[magster65]

Re: Prop Knick

dj's right, prop damage is prop damage. Without any doubt you are losing some performance and economy. I have a lot of metalworking experience but wouldn't attempt my own prop repair unless it was very minimal. Prop guys are worth the money, they can measure small imperfections in the pitch and rebalance them, you can't really do that at home.

 

[Good Sport]

Re: Prop Knick

It is impossible to accurately access prop damage by eyeballing it. Take it to a prop shop. You can ruin your outdrive with a bent/damaged prop.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Prop Knick

I agree with Magster on this one.Taking metal away from one blade would throw it out of balance.Just my .02--

 

[karayj]

Re: Prop Knick

go to ebaymotors and get a new prop cheep

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Prop Knick

Get it checked if you hit a rock-----should be covered by your insurance. Call in the claim before you get it fixed so the adjuster can see the damage. I would get the thing looked over very carefully, if your shaft is bent, could cost you big bucks.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Prop Knick

To Master and Bart---I only use emery cloth to smooth the leading edge of each blade so I do not cut my fingers removing the prop and so other people don't cut themselves around my prop when it is out of the water.<br /><br />Naturally, all blades should be as equal as possible. That's why I would not run with a chunk out of one blade----it should go to a prop shop. However, they might charge $100 or more per blade to work Stainless Steel----that's why I would check with the insurance company first.