Propeller has taken a knock

[spartacus]

I know it happens, but I'm normally very careful. At some point today the standard aluminium propeller has taken a knock. Two significant chips out of two blades. To make matters worse I'm on the west coast (aka back of beyond).

The propeller is a standard 13.75" x 15" pitch on a Tohatsu 60C 2-stroke. As far as as I know it's 10 1/8" diameter on 3.5" gear case. The propeller is a Mercury with hub insert, etc.

Couple of options - do I replace like for like or go for a stainless steel job. In 25 years of boating this is my first ( and hopefully last) major ding on an outboard. Skeg is fine.

Outboard normally tops out at 5,500rpm.

Boat is 4.8m Ribcraft, usually 2-3 up with 50 litres of fuel, auxiliary engine, etc. I've read others with similar set up have increased pitch (17") for better top end speed.

Cheers for any advice.

[thomas]

Send it to http://www.steeldevelopments.net/ and it will come back like new - Having had a long chat with a Merc mechanic I'd avoid SS props on smaller engines, you get a bit more umph but next time you hit something you could damage a lot more very expensive parts on the leg, better to repair a prop then £500 shaft.

[Bigmuz7]

If the dings arent too big its not a problem, but a pic would be best

I file mine down & knock it back to profile if its a bad 'un .. dont worry too much......... unless youve lost some chunks of metal, then imbalance ultimately becomes an issue.

Most of my props have been steel, but currently running an ally one and I'm amazed how much punishment they take, saves your gear box some stress too.. if its a common hazard

Are you away with the boat atm ?

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

I file mine down & knock it back to profile if its a bad 'un .. dont worry too much......... unless youve lost some chunks of metal, then imbalance ultimately becomes an issue.

Definitely not just dings. There's a chunk (20p size) missing on one blade and (50p size) on the other. I can test it tomorrow but will keep the revs well down, as I suspect it will vibrate.

Are you away with the boat atm?

Yes, two weeks holiday. First day out today after a gale Already got a quote for a replacement for £150 for a new Twatsoo prop here on the west coast. I can probably order a Turning Point prop for £100 and get it shipped for the start of next week.

[spartacus]

Will follow up regards prop refurb thomas - over winter so I have it as a spare.

[Boatnomad]

[QUOTE=thomas;I'd avoid SS props on smaller engines,

[Hightower]

I don't really think that you gain anything significant in performance to warrant a SS prop on a small RIB and engine combo. Alloy props of this size can be bought brand new for less than £100 (at least they used to be). Perhaps get this one repaired and also buy a spare prop.

[m chappelow]

If its only the odd small chunk out of a blade I have in the past made a template to roughly the same shape or profile as the original blade tip
cut out the chunk until its back to decent metal ,then cut down the rest of tips to match each other ,
Then for a bit more accuracy I turn the prop around with a clock gauge or some other datum point clamped or mounted on the Skeg or cav plate filing out the high spots .
If its just a bent blade with no cracks I tap it gently back with a rubber hammer .

[Downhilldai]

I've got a newly refurbished (immaculate) 17" pitch Merc prop with new Flo-torq hub kit for a 60hp Twatsoo here and an immaculate 15" pitch Turning Point Hustler prop, but no hub kit. Let me know if either or both are of interest.

[kerny]

Get it repaired you will be amazed what they can do with a badly damaged ali prop. I bought a badly damaged prop cheap and took it for repair in Oldham it cost me 50 quid and came back like new and that had chunks missing out of it, I now keep it on the rib as a spare.

[Downhilldai]

New flo-torq hub in the box.