props - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

mrmacey · 07-27-2003, 02:30 PM

I guess I finally did it dinged one of the blades a little bent but when i was useing it on the way home everything was allright running wise! do machine shops rework these and when is the prop to dinged to use what should i be looking for in performance thanks

mrmacey · 07-27-2003, 03:38 PM

and checking things out its more damage than I thought by the pics how much am I looking at!! new! bent a little and broke was cracked and i just bent it with my fingers and broke off!!

mrmacey · 07-27-2003, 03:39 PM

prop all cracked around edges

Van · 07-27-2003, 03:47 PM

Tough to say from the pics, but if the prop is out of balance, it will eventually wear out the bushing and water can get into the LU.

I am guessing it is aluminum, since you say cracked...NE propeller might be able to repair.

Buy a new one and install it so you can be sure its OK to use the boat, and send the old for repai/balancing and keep it as a spare.

Aluminum props are fairly cheap compared to SS.

Thats my suggestion.

Mike: I just looked at the pics again, Is the skeg bent???
Or is that an optical illusion ??

mrmacey · 07-27-2003, 03:53 PM

not the prop Im worried about its this fin on the lower unit that has me concerned!! its broke and bent to the left a little

Bigcat · 07-27-2003, 03:58 PM

New England Prop in Plymouth will make it like new for about $150.00.
If it is or you want to switch, you can pick up a new aluminum prop up at West Marine for about the same price.
also looks like you took a chunk of the skeg and bent it a bit?
Check the shaft make sure you did not bend it, it should not run out more then a few thousands

Van · 07-27-2003, 04:05 PM

The fin is called the skeg...and IMO it needs to be repaired !!
It should be straight for proper performance. Don't know exactly what it can hurt, but it can't be good.

Maybe they can heat it and bent it back and weld a bit on, to make up the rest. If not then they cut further up and weld on an entire skeg.

Then put the new prop on.
Like BC said hopefully the prop shaft isn't bent. usally an aluminum prop saves the shaft. since its much weaker.

It sucks buddy, but thats part of boat owning.
I Been there, Done that!!!

Bigcat · 07-27-2003, 04:06 PM

with 2 heavy hammers one used as a dolly on the back side you can carefully tap it to strighten it out.
On the chunk missing you can take a file to it and reshape it.
I have bent a lot of skegs, I now run a Skeguard and it has saved my lower unit a few times at least once this year about $100.00 from Cabelas.

mrmacey · 07-27-2003, 04:06 PM

getting it all fixed new and put an insurance claim in for it I mean the boats brand new why not keep it new

Van · 07-27-2003, 04:09 PM

I did an insurance claim when I hit mine.

Broken skeg--cut and weld new one on $$
Bent shaft-- Replace + Labor $$
new SS Prop- 350$
If I remember correctly the bill was like 1000-1200 total.

Bigcat · 07-27-2003, 04:10 PM

Bad idear for the insurance, you have the decutable and your rates will skyrocket next season ,if it is just the prop fix it yourself.

mrmacey · 07-27-2003, 04:12 PM

about insurance ill wait till the whole outdrive is on the bottom of the ocean before i make a claim so this can all be fixed thats my most concern!! there goes the diving equitment!!

wasnt even fishing was picnicing damn!!

Van · 07-27-2003, 04:17 PM

Bigcat, when i made that claim (circa 1998), I did have a deductable, but my premium did not go up. I also had a towing claim about 2 years ago, and again the premium still stayed the same.

Did that happen to you?

NEXT2NUN · 07-27-2003, 04:20 PM

MRMACEY, What Bigcat said.Don't go crazy bangin!!. You might have to adjust the little trim tab above the prop if it pulls to one side or the other, small adjustments till you find the right spot. If your fussy send it out this winter, you can get it welded and painted like new. Most dealers have a service they use if you can't find one E-mail me I can give you names.

Set the alarm on your depth finder or buy a little kicker if your gonna play in the rocks. Where I fish your motor isnt broken in till the props polished silver.Took me four days with a new motor. Peace

mrmacey · 07-27-2003, 04:24 PM

I was letting my neice and her boyfreind off at the dock and it was shallow and i knew it was i just dropped the wife there with no problems i just went a little further in this time and pow! i heard it hit shut it down i should have raised it and paddled in my bad!!

Bigcat · 07-27-2003, 04:24 PM

Van,
I had a claim last year for a new lower uint, the deductable was $250.00 and this year with the new policy they wanted to go up 30% I changed agents and had to really shop around.

bud8fan · 07-27-2003, 06:18 PM

Mike,

I wouldnt be too worried about the skeg itself as I have seen boats perform just fine with half of it missing! Its not like your trying to set speed records or making high speed hairpin turns.
The prop is another issue. If it was thrown out of balance it can spin the hub and cause water to get in.
I will tell you that sometimes it cost more to repair an aluminum prop than its worth when you can get a new one fairly reasonable if you shop around!

Clammer · 07-27-2003, 07:30 PM

Looks fine toooooooooooooo me/////

Mr. Sandman · 07-28-2003, 07:14 AM

I am surprised you don't feel it at the wheel. Skeg is bent and broken. At higher sppeds it will put a turning moment on the boat, which you will need to compensate for by turning the wheel in the other direction.. so, it order to go straight you motor will be turned slightly and the boat will have some added roll as well.(sort of like a car with a bent frame)

I would:

A) get the skeg repaired correctly (which probably means buying a new casing..you really can't "fix" that right IMO.)

B) Have the lower unit checked out (gears/seals ect, while it is apart) You hit something hard which clearly caused a substantial shock to the lower unit. Last thing you want is to have you loose forward gear when you need it...

C) buy a new prop. (stainless...don't waste your money on AL) I can tell from the pics that the prop you have is not that hot. It will cost 300 (give or take 100) to get the right stainless prop but you will be much more satisified when you get it. One buddy called and recently thanked me for suggesting he re-prop (after going on a fishing trip on his boat).."Jezzzz, Its like I have a new engine now!, I can't believe it!"

Have it done by your dealer...don't penny pinch on this one. Have the other repaired and keep it as a spare as Van said...IMO that is all AL props are good for anyway, spares.

Why not just strighten the skeg with a big pair of vise grips and leave it chiped?
A) It does not make a strong selling point... Engine looks abused and not maintained properly.
B) fuel mileage
C) vibration
D) Possible Lower unit damage

Good luck...watch those rocks!!

JohnR · 07-28-2003, 07:34 AM

OK - my turn

This is why I love sacrificial aluminums

- Kinda like Zincs

That damage is really not bad - for now - provided that you did not damage the lower unit internals / seals. THAT is the big issue. The skeg, while bent and needing repair - not replacement - is something can be waited on and you can even adjust the trim on the cavitation plate which "SHOULD" be sufficient to compensate a little for the bend in the skeg. Your bent skeg should not capsize the boat under the massive forces of a 130 horse I/O

but you should do a test session to verfiy changes in handling.

Key first thing is to CONFIRM that you are not leeking water into the lower unit or oil out - this is vital.

Don't go thru your insurance unless your lower unit is severly damaged - especially as where you DRIVE for a living. If it jacks up your boat insurance that's one thing but if it jacks up your LIMO insurance - that's something else altogether.

mrmacey · 07-28-2003, 08:59 AM

WHEN THIS HIT I was at a dock just slightly turning to manuver in I didnt hit nothing hard just the wrong way but when I left the dock I stayed out for another 2 hrs with no problems this is gonna wait till winter but how can I tell if water is getting in I really dont think I hit it that hard to cause more than the damage in pic but I want to be sure!! thanks for all the info thats what I like about this site alot of knowledge and little digs thrown in right john my 130 hp is getting me to the spots by the way hows yours coming!!

JohnR · 07-28-2003, 09:22 AM

You didn't bend the skeg "slightly turning to manuvere"

. You HIT it good somehow. You may only recall your manuvere as slight OR that being the only hit...

You need to constantly check the lower unit oil if it's getting milky. Do you know how to check and refill? Do you have a fluid pump? Sometimes you will see an oil sheen coming from the prop hub when the water is smooth like glass. Also when really bad there can be some vibration when in gear.

If you don't check it and blow it off for the rest of the season it will blow if bad. Not if but when and usually during a speed run. I know as I've done it before... Not cheap either when that happens....

Billybob · 07-28-2003, 10:25 AM

My opinion - it's nothing to worry about, straighten the skeg as best you can with a vise grip and a bar and file the edges a bit.That little ding will not affect the performance, if you're concerned about looks well then do it at your leisure. It doesn't look like you whacked it hard enough to damage the shaft/seal either but check your oil as John said just to be sure.
Just my 02
Bill

Van · 07-28-2003, 10:28 AM

IMO, If your gonna leave it, at least put a new prop on, and check that the shaft isn't bent. You may need a pro to check it accurately.

The vibration of an out of balance prop may not be noticable to you, but it is to your LU...Bye Bye seal. Hello major repair...
A little bit of corrosion on LU gears and it will self destruct in no time...

If the shaft is OK, then you are probabaly OK to use it "as is" and wont wear out the seal. The damage is not so bad to the prop so probably (Hopefully) the shaft was saved like john said "sacrificial Al props." Deal with the skeg later.

The guys that fish rock piles around here always use Alums for that reason. (Not me though, I love those SS props !)

Good luck, and lift the LU next time !!!

Mr. Sandman · 07-28-2003, 10:57 AM

Now this is just MY opinion, but If you are trying to sell it (which I think you are) you will have better far luck it if looks AND works right.
It is hard enough to sell a brand new I/O no less a used one that has obviously met up with the rocks. Also, when a buyer comes along and asks questions...your going to have to bs him. You have to take it apart anyway to inspect it...why not fix it? Unless you just want change the gearcase lube and forgetabout.

Ask yourself this question:
Would you buy a used I/O that hit the rocks and the seller said...its OK, it just looks bad, I fixed it with a pair of vise grips and a hammer. The prob is dinged...but don't worry about it. No one will touch this and if they do expect very low offers as if they were planning a total replacement.

.

NEXT2NUN · 07-28-2003, 07:46 PM

MRMACEY, After your boat sits for a day or so any water in the lower unit will settle to the bottom, crack the bottom (drain) screw until either oil or water comes out. from what I see in the pics there is no way you bent the shaft. Any sign of water, drain oil. Mercs use fibre washers on the drain screws. there only good for three or four checks then replace. Scandia prop in Fairhaven, does props and skegs. you will never know it was damaged, ask for John.