Removal of Propeller When Towing Long Distances

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Author Topic:   Removal of Propeller When Towing Long Distances

18AGAIN posted 10-22-2013 09:31 AM ET (US)
I will be towing my boat to Florida for the winter some 1500 miles and wondering on a trip this length if you would leave the propeller on or remove it.
ANDREW PITCHFORD posted 10-22-2013 09:35 AM ET (US)
I would remove it. That's 300 dollars hanging there to some crack head.
PeteB88 posted 10-22-2013 11:04 AM ET (US)
A wrench and needle nose pliers and prop is gone at pit stop or for dinner. Mine comes off. Even at the Amish canvas shop.
PeteB88 posted 10-22-2013 11:21 AM ET (US)
90 seconds, a wrench and needle nose pliers and prop is gone at pit stop or for dinner break. Mine comes off. Even at the Amish canvas shop.
kwik_wurk posted 10-22-2013 12:07 PM ET (US)
Pull the prop, replace with red flag.
myakka posted 10-24-2013 06:49 AM ET (US)
I did nearly the same trip with the same boat. We drove strait through with the prop on. 1423 miles with nothing more than gas stops.One guy fills up the gas tank while the other hits the head, gets food etc. If you are going to stop for sit down meals or motel stays remove it. Looks like we ended up in the same part of Florida. I'm in Gulf Cove.
Mike
jimh posted 10-24-2013 08:37 AM ET (US)
Have any readers been the victim of propeller theft while they were towing their Boston Whaler boat on a long trip?
K Albus posted 10-24-2013 09:07 AM ET (US)
I've towed various boats thousands of miles, and I have never removed the propeller for any trip. I've never had a propeller stolen on any of those trips.
frontier posted 10-24-2013 09:53 AM ET (US)
We've towed Whalers quite a bit over the years and never removed the prop. No problems.
My guess is most crooks and bad guys have no clue of the value of a prop. And, they are looking for items that are quick and easy to re-sell. Like kicker motors.
Props have too many types and sizes to be a quick sell.
You don't see any props for sale at pawn shops.
lizard posted 10-24-2013 10:02 AM ET (US)
Not during a tow, but my Dad stopped for lunch on the ICW day, pulled up along the dock, tied up, at lunch.
Came out, didn't notice anything, got in the boat, started it up. Went nowhere. Prop gone. At a dock, at a busy restaurant, in the water?
Mambo Minnow posted 10-24-2013 10:06 AM ET (US)
In Florida, they steal more than just the prop. I have heard of cases where they take a chain saw and cut the motor off the transom at outdoor storage lots. They want to get in/get out fast, so not much time allowed for a smooth and clean removal.
ANDREW PITCHFORD posted 10-24-2013 10:48 AM ET (US)
Down there they will unbolt a locked trailer toung. Bolt a new on and go.
jimp posted 10-24-2013 11:33 AM ET (US)
Remove the prop. One less thing to worry about.
When I towed my 1982 Montauk from NY to Alaska in 1989 I removed the prop and "over-large" shrink wrapped the boat. This accomplished two things:
1. Removed the possibilty of someone stealing the prop, playing with it (spinning it), getting damaged by being hit (cars or rocks), or attracting people to come over and look at it.
2. Shrink wrap kept prying eyes from looking in the boat and also reduced the amount of road grime that would enter the boat. "Over-large" shrink wrap was carried as low over the bow as they could make it, further protecting the bow area and "smirk". I did run into some new construction and fresh tar and the shrink wrap collected most of it.
Anyway, it takes a minute to remove your prop and then replace it. Why not take it off?
JimP
onlyawhaler posted 10-24-2013 11:34 AM ET (US)
I have towed my Outrage from Salt Lake City area to Lake Powell which is about 5 hours with many stops. I have left it over night many times on the trailer and never had a problem
Sterling
Onlyawhaler
Jeff posted 10-24-2013 11:47 AM ET (US)
At that rate, remove the wheels from the tow vehicle while it's parked too. There is $1500-$2000+ right there for someone to steal.
dneal33 posted 10-24-2013 12:27 PM ET (US)
Not prop related but if towing that far cover the windshield with plastic wrap if not covered already. Bugs can be a pain on the Boston Whaler windshields in Florida.
lakeman posted 10-24-2013 02:47 PM ET (US)
I live in Fl, I have towed a boat all over Florida, for years and years, never lost a prop from theft, and have used expensive SS props since they were introduced. However it can happen, especially in South Florida(Miami, Ft lauderdale) especially, if you are just unlucky where you stop and spend some time away from your boat.
Fishing gear, is another story carried in open boats. Many people I know have rods and tackle boxes stolen at traffic lights down there, quick fast and off they go before you notice.
kwik_wurk posted 10-24-2013 03:33 PM ET (US)
I have lost props (2) while trailered in a parking lot or residential area. -- Another family member has had a whole boat and trailer stolen in less than 24hrs from in front of their home. (never found)
Removing a prop is a prevention measure for the 0.1% chance it happens. Same as locking the hitch ball and trailer tongue.
Now if you had a craggy, dented aluminum prop, I would not worry about it. But nowadays, nice SS props are common place, and I assume that is what you have.
Jefecinco posted 10-24-2013 06:01 PM ET (US)
Call it free propeller insurance.
Butch
Spuds posted 10-24-2013 06:26 PM ET (US)
I installed a prop lock on mine. Looks like a lug nut lock with a key that fits the nut for removing.
Could probably still get it off but so far, it has kept the honest criminals away.
Marsh posted 10-24-2013 06:46 PM ET (US)
Never lost a prop, but I did lose a cell phone out of my 170 Montauk's center console cup holder while enroute to the boat ramp from my house, a distance of less than 20 miles. At least they left my fishing gear and GPS alone.
If they want it, they will get it. Don't make theft easy for the theif.
fishgutz posted 10-25-2013 12:05 PM ET (US)
I have a McGard prop lock. Towed from Wisconsin to Florida with no problems. Gas stops, overnight stops, rest areas, restaurants, never gave it a thought.
The boat now sits on a lift all year with the SS prop just sticking out there for all to see, facing the St. Johns River. No problems.
http://shop.mcgard.com/products/marine/propeller-locks
$50 to $70 is cheap insurance plus it eliminates the cotter pin or that metal tab thingy. I think it's easier to use than the stock prop nut arrangement.
EJO posted 10-25-2013 01:18 PM ET (US)
Man it sounds like FL is not the place to be with a boat, lots of dishonest (criminal) people there. Remind me if I ever want to pull my boat there.
Traveled 1900 miles from West Mich to upstate NY and stil have my prop. Traveled 600 plus miles to northern lower Mich. and back stayed at motels/hotels both trips, apparently I was lucky without a theft incident.
Although valuables where always stored and kept out of sight in my locked CC and PFD's, fenders, lines, cleaning supplies, etc. stored in a locked 128 qt. cooler and last but not least my 2 gas tanks locked to the boat under the seat.
This set-up seemed to has worked for me. Didn't stop in Detroit, Gary, or Chicago for any long period of time.
Bottom line; keep boat in well lit and traveled area and in sight and if not planning to vboat immediately, remove electronics, batteries, and prop.
Have a safe trip.
L H G posted 10-25-2013 03:21 PM ET (US)
I have towed both single and twin engine Whalers about 200,000 miles over the last 25 years, and have never removed a Mercury SS prop, and never lost one.
I am about to trail my Outrage 25 with $1200 worth of twin Revolution-4 props and Flo-Torq IV hub kits, from Chicago to Florida, and will not be removing the props.
On these long distance trips, the biggest risk of loss and problems is trailer trouble: tires, bearings, brakes, springs, and axles. Propellers are WAY down on the list, if at all.
pete r posted 10-26-2013 06:23 AM ET (US)
If I was worried about losing a prop then I would wrap one of those bicycle wire cord combination locks around the prop and motor leg. I reckon it would be a good deterrent.
I use the same system when I leave the car and trailer at the trailer ramp cark park. I just wind the cord around the tow hitch on the car and the trailer coupling....too easy.
myakka posted 10-26-2013 08:58 AM ET (US)
EJO
Florida does not have criminals hiding behind every palm tree. Florida is a fantastic place to have a boat. Just as you said about Detroit, etc. be aware of your surroundings.
Mike
fno posted 10-26-2013 10:42 AM ET (US)
Criminals, like all small business people need a market for their wares. Selling a stolen prop or motor from a boat in South Florida is way easier than many other parts of the country. Plus the lowlifes probably are way more familiar with boats, motors and parts than their urban counterparts in Detroit where either the spinners, batteries, car stereo, or the whole package could disappear while you are ordering a latte.
HardAssets posted 10-27-2013 08:14 PM ET (US)
FNO has it right. Thieves have their markets. A couple of weeks ago I bought 3 waterfront lots in a Texas coastal community and one of them had an old mobile home on it that hasn't been lived in for about 4 years. A week later I was back in town to close on an off-water lot and went to get the number off the water meter so I could get power turned on at the mobile home. In that one week period word had gotten out that a someone had bought the place. When I went to the home to get the meter number I found that someone has stolen the old beat up wooden steps to the back porch....steps that had been there for probably 20 years....steps that could have easily been built with about $12 worth of wood. I was amazed that someone would even steal such a thing.
I asked my realtor about theft in the area and she told me there were just a few characters (she meant crackheads) that were the problem and that the law really didn't do enough to it. They would be arrested, spend a brief period of time in jail and then be let out to steal again. She them mentioned that one of the hottest items that they stole was propellers and that I should never leave my propellers on my boats if they were just parked on my lots.
The place will still make a great weekend fishing camp but I've already put a contract on an acre about 15 mile up the creek to build on rather than having to deal with thieves. My way of dealing with them would only get me in trouble.
I'm picking up an Outrage I recently bought tomorrow to move into temporary storage and will most assuredly be removing the propeller.

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Author	Topic: Removal of Propeller When Towing Long Distances
18AGAIN	posted 10-22-2013 09:31 AM ET (US) I will be towing my boat to Florida for the winter some 1500 miles and wondering on a trip this length if you would leave the propeller on or remove it.
ANDREW PITCHFORD	posted 10-22-2013 09:35 AM ET (US) I would remove it. That's 300 dollars hanging there to some crack head.
PeteB88	posted 10-22-2013 11:04 AM ET (US) A wrench and needle nose pliers and prop is gone at pit stop or for dinner. Mine comes off. Even at the Amish canvas shop.
PeteB88	posted 10-22-2013 11:21 AM ET (US) 90 seconds, a wrench and needle nose pliers and prop is gone at pit stop or for dinner break. Mine comes off. Even at the Amish canvas shop.
kwik_wurk	posted 10-22-2013 12:07 PM ET (US) Pull the prop, replace with red flag.
myakka	posted 10-24-2013 06:49 AM ET (US) I did nearly the same trip with the same boat. We drove strait through with the prop on. 1423 miles with nothing more than gas stops.One guy fills up the gas tank while the other hits the head, gets food etc. If you are going to stop for sit down meals or motel stays remove it. Looks like we ended up in the same part of Florida. I'm in Gulf Cove. Mike
jimh	posted 10-24-2013 08:37 AM ET (US) Have any readers been the victim of propeller theft while they were towing their Boston Whaler boat on a long trip?
K Albus	posted 10-24-2013 09:07 AM ET (US) I've towed various boats thousands of miles, and I have never removed the propeller for any trip. I've never had a propeller stolen on any of those trips.
frontier	posted 10-24-2013 09:53 AM ET (US) We've towed Whalers quite a bit over the years and never removed the prop. No problems. My guess is most crooks and bad guys have no clue of the value of a prop. And, they are looking for items that are quick and easy to re-sell. Like kicker motors. Props have too many types and sizes to be a quick sell. You don't see any props for sale at pawn shops.
lizard	posted 10-24-2013 10:02 AM ET (US) Not during a tow, but my Dad stopped for lunch on the ICW day, pulled up along the dock, tied up, at lunch. Came out, didn't notice anything, got in the boat, started it up. Went nowhere. Prop gone. At a dock, at a busy restaurant, in the water?
Mambo Minnow	posted 10-24-2013 10:06 AM ET (US) In Florida, they steal more than just the prop. I have heard of cases where they take a chain saw and cut the motor off the transom at outdoor storage lots. They want to get in/get out fast, so not much time allowed for a smooth and clean removal.
ANDREW PITCHFORD	posted 10-24-2013 10:48 AM ET (US) Down there they will unbolt a locked trailer toung. Bolt a new on and go.
jimp	posted 10-24-2013 11:33 AM ET (US) Remove the prop. One less thing to worry about. When I towed my 1982 Montauk from NY to Alaska in 1989 I removed the prop and "over-large" shrink wrapped the boat. This accomplished two things: 1. Removed the possibilty of someone stealing the prop, playing with it (spinning it), getting damaged by being hit (cars or rocks), or attracting people to come over and look at it. 2. Shrink wrap kept prying eyes from looking in the boat and also reduced the amount of road grime that would enter the boat. "Over-large" shrink wrap was carried as low over the bow as they could make it, further protecting the bow area and "smirk". I did run into some new construction and fresh tar and the shrink wrap collected most of it. Anyway, it takes a minute to remove your prop and then replace it. Why not take it off? JimP
onlyawhaler	posted 10-24-2013 11:34 AM ET (US) I have towed my Outrage from Salt Lake City area to Lake Powell which is about 5 hours with many stops. I have left it over night many times on the trailer and never had a problem Sterling Onlyawhaler
Jeff	posted 10-24-2013 11:47 AM ET (US) At that rate, remove the wheels from the tow vehicle while it's parked too. There is $1500-$2000+ right there for someone to steal.
dneal33	posted 10-24-2013 12:27 PM ET (US) Not prop related but if towing that far cover the windshield with plastic wrap if not covered already. Bugs can be a pain on the Boston Whaler windshields in Florida.
lakeman	posted 10-24-2013 02:47 PM ET (US) I live in Fl, I have towed a boat all over Florida, for years and years, never lost a prop from theft, and have used expensive SS props since they were introduced. However it can happen, especially in South Florida(Miami, Ft lauderdale) especially, if you are just unlucky where you stop and spend some time away from your boat. Fishing gear, is another story carried in open boats. Many people I know have rods and tackle boxes stolen at traffic lights down there, quick fast and off they go before you notice.
kwik_wurk	posted 10-24-2013 03:33 PM ET (US) I have lost props (2) while trailered in a parking lot or residential area. -- Another family member has had a whole boat and trailer stolen in less than 24hrs from in front of their home. (never found) Removing a prop is a prevention measure for the 0.1% chance it happens. Same as locking the hitch ball and trailer tongue. Now if you had a craggy, dented aluminum prop, I would not worry about it. But nowadays, nice SS props are common place, and I assume that is what you have.
Jefecinco	posted 10-24-2013 06:01 PM ET (US) Call it free propeller insurance. Butch
Spuds	posted 10-24-2013 06:26 PM ET (US) I installed a prop lock on mine. Looks like a lug nut lock with a key that fits the nut for removing. Could probably still get it off but so far, it has kept the honest criminals away.
Marsh	posted 10-24-2013 06:46 PM ET (US) Never lost a prop, but I did lose a cell phone out of my 170 Montauk's center console cup holder while enroute to the boat ramp from my house, a distance of less than 20 miles. At least they left my fishing gear and GPS alone. If they want it, they will get it. Don't make theft easy for the theif.
fishgutz	posted 10-25-2013 12:05 PM ET (US) I have a McGard prop lock. Towed from Wisconsin to Florida with no problems. Gas stops, overnight stops, rest areas, restaurants, never gave it a thought. The boat now sits on a lift all year with the SS prop just sticking out there for all to see, facing the St. Johns River. No problems. http://shop.mcgard.com/products/marine/propeller-locks $50 to $70 is cheap insurance plus it eliminates the cotter pin or that metal tab thingy. I think it's easier to use than the stock prop nut arrangement.
EJO	posted 10-25-2013 01:18 PM ET (US) Man it sounds like FL is not the place to be with a boat, lots of dishonest (criminal) people there. Remind me if I ever want to pull my boat there. Traveled 1900 miles from West Mich to upstate NY and stil have my prop. Traveled 600 plus miles to northern lower Mich. and back stayed at motels/hotels both trips, apparently I was lucky without a theft incident. Although valuables where always stored and kept out of sight in my locked CC and PFD's, fenders, lines, cleaning supplies, etc. stored in a locked 128 qt. cooler and last but not least my 2 gas tanks locked to the boat under the seat. This set-up seemed to has worked for me. Didn't stop in Detroit, Gary, or Chicago for any long period of time. Bottom line; keep boat in well lit and traveled area and in sight and if not planning to vboat immediately, remove electronics, batteries, and prop. Have a safe trip.
L H G	posted 10-25-2013 03:21 PM ET (US) I have towed both single and twin engine Whalers about 200,000 miles over the last 25 years, and have never removed a Mercury SS prop, and never lost one. I am about to trail my Outrage 25 with $1200 worth of twin Revolution-4 props and Flo-Torq IV hub kits, from Chicago to Florida, and will not be removing the props. On these long distance trips, the biggest risk of loss and problems is trailer trouble: tires, bearings, brakes, springs, and axles. Propellers are WAY down on the list, if at all.
pete r	posted 10-26-2013 06:23 AM ET (US) If I was worried about losing a prop then I would wrap one of those bicycle wire cord combination locks around the prop and motor leg. I reckon it would be a good deterrent. I use the same system when I leave the car and trailer at the trailer ramp cark park. I just wind the cord around the tow hitch on the car and the trailer coupling....too easy.
myakka	posted 10-26-2013 08:58 AM ET (US) EJO Florida does not have criminals hiding behind every palm tree. Florida is a fantastic place to have a boat. Just as you said about Detroit, etc. be aware of your surroundings. Mike
fno	posted 10-26-2013 10:42 AM ET (US) Criminals, like all small business people need a market for their wares. Selling a stolen prop or motor from a boat in South Florida is way easier than many other parts of the country. Plus the lowlifes probably are way more familiar with boats, motors and parts than their urban counterparts in Detroit where either the spinners, batteries, car stereo, or the whole package could disappear while you are ordering a latte.
HardAssets	posted 10-27-2013 08:14 PM ET (US) FNO has it right. Thieves have their markets. A couple of weeks ago I bought 3 waterfront lots in a Texas coastal community and one of them had an old mobile home on it that hasn't been lived in for about 4 years. A week later I was back in town to close on an off-water lot and went to get the number off the water meter so I could get power turned on at the mobile home. In that one week period word had gotten out that a someone had bought the place. When I went to the home to get the meter number I found that someone has stolen the old beat up wooden steps to the back porch....steps that had been there for probably 20 years....steps that could have easily been built with about $12 worth of wood. I was amazed that someone would even steal such a thing. I asked my realtor about theft in the area and she told me there were just a few characters (she meant crackheads) that were the problem and that the law really didn't do enough to it. They would be arrested, spend a brief period of time in jail and then be let out to steal again. She them mentioned that one of the hottest items that they stole was propellers and that I should never leave my propellers on my boats if they were just parked on my lots. The place will still make a great weekend fishing camp but I've already put a contract on an acre about 15 mile up the creek to build on rather than having to deal with thieves. My way of dealing with them would only get me in trouble. I'm picking up an Outrage I recently bought tomorrow to move into temporary storage and will most assuredly be removing the propeller.