PROP REPAIR OR REPLACE?

Banged up my prop on a rock in Perris this weekend so I called a place by the name of "GOTTA HAVE IT". For 120. they will fix my 4 blade prop and polish it as well. saves me 300+

Depends upon how bad it was dinged. If it was bad, then they will have to cut some diameter to get a strong enough repair.

Best suggestion, have a spare with a prop puller on the boat. It is pricey, but not if you factor in the cost of down-time.

Mark - http://www.boatpropellers.com/Index.html is where most of the local boat dealers send their repairs. They are in Santa Ana and go by the name of Hill propellers, and have been known for years in So. CA as the place to go for racing propellers. Try calling them for service, they can fix most Nibral and SS props, and are factory certified. I wouldn't trust a repair shop who doesn't have factory certification for a very precise milling job.

I have had mine repaired at least two times, and it is just about as good as new. It does not look new, but who really cares, it is under the boat.

The first time a couple of the blades were bent over about 1/3 way into them. The second time only the tips were damaged, and a couple of small chunks were missing. Both times they were fixed great, so I am not affraid of a repaired prop.

They can also add metal where there is some missing, so you won't lose diameter.

I got mine fixed by beauman marine, here in houston. I know that does not help you in cali, but I am sure there are good shops there.

Don't be afraid of gettin it repaired
we bent our prop the very first time we drove our new boat
the repair made it look like new again (we paid 125 also)
we also ordered a new one though, so we got a spare with a kit: puller, spare parts, etc
we are definatlely happy to have this security in our boat now
also, ive heard of guys keeping goggles and a snorcal in their boat for immediate emergency switch out, somethin to think about

Mark, take your prop to Bronson/Hill propellors in Santa Ana. Probably about the same price, they will balance it perfectly, and polish it. They can tell you if it's repairable (usually if the ding is less than 1/3rd of the blade).

Thanks and good lookin out my boating Brothers

Is it really possible to change the prop while you're in the water. I've changed mine out of the water before and had to use a 2x4 from the ground to prop to lock it when I was removing & tightening the nut. What technique do you guys use while in the water?

(Message edited by chrissocal on June 16, 2004)