Bent prop

[cpsniper05]

I have had my boat for about 2 years now (3rd season) and one of the blades has a small bend in it. I can't tell if its affecting performance cause thats all ive ever known on it. The boat planes and handles well so Im up in the air about whether I need to spend the money on a new one. Well im at it, do you guys recommend a SS or is aluminum all you need for the price difference. Just looking for some free advice, Thanks.

[coombro]

Guess that depends on where and what size your motor is so far as preference to ss or alum. and what kind of waters your in? Mine stay dinged up, however I have been lucky and beat my stainless back into shape. Mines an outboard and can definatley feel once I "whacked" mine good. I run a lot of low rocky rivers. I do carry a spare. Main thing to look at is make sure its not leakng oil. As I banged mine really good one time and continued to run. I could really feel the out of balance and it wore a seal out in my lower unit$$

[Panfish Man]

You can most likely take it and have it repaired, instead of getting a new one. Tuckers in Clarksville can take care of it.

[R19]

I would get it fixed because a bent prop can cuase lower unit trouble. An unbalanced prop will cause the gears to wear and the seals to go bad over a period of time.

I would ship my prop to Mark Croxton here is a link for his info.

http://www.bassboatcentral.com/marksprops1.htm

He does good work and if you send it to him on monday you will have it back buy friday.

[Jabbo]

Great Question about the prop. Aluminum Props give you more flex and thus the Pitch Flattens out on Higher horsepower engines, This can be addressed by changing Diameter/pitch. Stainless Props Don't flex Near as much and are the best choice for performance. Here's the thing. If you want to buy a new prop you need to determine what is the most important to you. Hole shot or Top speed. Ideally you can get a prop that provides best of both worlds. Some people want top speed others will never get their boat past 30 mph. Your engine has a specified RPM range where it runs optimally. Your dealer can tell you this range.
Benifits to Stainless, It's durable, Can take a lot of abuse. That being the case, even with break away hubs, they can hit so hard so fast that you can damage the prop shaft, Gears, Splines etc.
Aluminum is obviously cheaper and doesn't cost as much to get repaired, however it gets damaged easier and can sheer blades. Also has More Flex at high speeds which will make you lose performance.
If it's a Small ding, I wouldn't worry a whole lot about it. If it's a big Ding, Quarter size, I'd get it fixed. I would also keep an extra in the boat along with extra nut/ washer(s) cotter pins etc.
One last thing. There is a company out there named Pirannah Props (I think) they are composite and have replacable blades. You can chane the pitch too. Their pretty neat.. hope this helps

[coombro]

Great Question about the prop. Aluminum Props give you more flex and thus the Pitch Flattens out on Higher horsepower engines, This can be addressed by changing Diameter/pitch. Stainless Props Don't flex Near as much and are the best choice for performance. Here's the thing. If you want to buy a new prop you need to determine what is the most important to you. Hole shot or Top speed. Ideally you can get a prop that provides best of both worlds. Some people want top speed others will never get their boat past 30 mph. Your engine has a specified RPM range where it runs optimally. Your dealer can tell you this range.
Benifits to Stainless, It's durable, Can take a lot of abuse. That being the case, even with break away hubs, they can hit so hard so fast that you can damage the prop shaft, Gears, Splines etc.
Aluminum is obviously cheaper and doesn't cost as much to get repaired, however it gets damaged easier and can sheer blades. Also has More Flex at high speeds which will make you lose performance.
If it's a Small ding, I wouldn't worry a whole lot about it. If it's a big Ding, Quarter size, I'd get it fixed. I would also keep an extra in the boat along with extra nut/ washer(s) cotter pins etc.
One last thing. There is a company out there named Pirannah Props (I think) they are composite and have replacable blades. You can chane the pitch too. Their pretty neat.. hope this helps

Dang it man you helped me and i don't have a prop issue. Useful info.