posted 06-20-2006 05:32 PM ET (US)        

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When should a dented propeller be replaced? I whacked the original equipment aluminum propeller on my two-stroke 125-HP Mercury. The ding is small, about the diameter of a nickel, and not very deep. The edge of that blade is no longer sharp but squared off (dull). I don't notice any vibration when driving.

Should I get it refinished since it is dented or wait until the damage is more severe? How do you know a good place for refinishing> Is West Marine good? Is refinishing as good as new?

posted 06-20-2006 08:46 PM ET (US)            

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A properly refurbished propeller is as good as new. West Marine does not do their own refurbishing, they farm them out to a local shop. If you can find out where that shop is, you can cut out the middleman and save yourself some money. Your local boat dealer should be able to refer you to the shop.

If it is a dent without missing metal, you can often hammer it back yourself on an aluminum prop. Use a Bronze or hard plastic mallet against a piece of hardwood backing to hammer out the dent. If metal is missing, and it is bigger than half a penny, get it fixed. If the blade tips are all worn down equally, and the edges not curled or cupped, you could probably let it go for a while until you get some other battle scars. But if only one blade is worn down, then you have an out of balance prop which is going to increase the wear rate on your lower unit bearings. Best to get it fixed. Another option is to get a stainless steel propeller and keep this one for a spare. BillS

posted 06-21-2006 10:46 AM ET (US)            

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Look in the phone book under propeller shop. Seems almost everywhere has a propeller shop.

In my neck of the woods, I can get an aluminum propeller refurbished for $40. Price goes up $10 if it is really mangled (like the time my wife was driving, goosed the throttle in a shallow area, and put her hands to her face and said "ooh" when the prop started digging through the gravel on the bottom instead of chopping the throttle. Lost a good inch off of each blade.) Price goes to $60 if you are completely missing a blade.

posted 06-23-2006 08:45 AM ET (US)            

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Aluminum is very intolerant of striking any object, and an aluminum propeller will usually deform slightly if it contacts a bit of the bottom, a rock, gravel, oyster bed, etc. On the other hand, stainless steel will often resist deformation on a minor propeller strike.

Propeller refurbishing is usually a local industry in any area where there are a significant number of boaters. Here is SE Michigan, home to one million boaters, we have one or two high-volume propeller repair shops. They usually send a driver around on Monday to all the boat dealers to collect damaged propellers. The driver returns on Friday with repaired propellers. The typical charge is about $50.

posted 06-23-2006 12:31 PM ET (US)            

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Jim is indeed correct that aluminum props are very intolerant of hitting anything - a submurged log, or even a sand bottom that is just a bump to a stainless prop is a trip to the prop shop for an aluminum prop.

I use stainless on my big whaler that spends almost all of its time in the big lake. On my smaller boat, which gets a lot of use in inland lakes with skinny water and lots of rocks and generally poor water clarity, I always use aluminum. The stainless prop for that boat is carried as a spare.

Yes, the hubs are designed to protect the lower unit and shaft. I have been fortunate so far, but friends with stainless props that have hit stuff have had to replace bent prop shafts (very $$$), whereas the worst I have ever done is needed new blades and a skeg.

I just consider the ability of aluminum to give as added insurance.

posted 06-23-2006 01:23 PM ET (US)            

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Jim,

I live in SE Michigan as well. Can you suggest a repair shop to take my prop? If I go directly to the shop and avoid the boat dealer, I might save some money.

posted 06-23-2006 03:15 PM ET (US)            

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WETFOOT

Ive am droping my prop off at a shop in Roseville Mi, on Monday nite. Im not sure the name the gentleman goes by for his business but he has a machine shop in his garage. I think he is semi retired, he is open noon to 7pm, and has a drop box if he isnt there. Im not sure of the actual address, but he is on Masonic which is 13 and half mile rd between Gratiot and Kelly on the south side of the street.
Ive had props done before by him and he is in the 40 to 50.00 range depending on how bad it is.
If you need more info I can get it monday. He told me if i drop it off Monday it will beready thursday.

Gary

posted 06-26-2006 08:40 PM ET (US)            

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Wet Foot, I just dropped off my prop tonite.
The name of the business is called Export Propeller Repair,
at 19358 Masonic, Roseville, Mi 48066 586-294-1313. His hours are 12noon to 7pm monday, tuesday, thursday, friday and some saturdays. He has a drop box on the door for afterhours. I talked to him and he has been in the business all his life. He used to repair for all the stores, but he said after they jacked they price up to make their money the wasnt competative. He also sells in props. Ive messed up all 3 blades and is charging me 56.00.
I hope this info helps

GARY