Prop damage, repair or replace.

[TheRealAndy]

Tonight I struck something about half way between the entrance to kooper channel and fisheries beacon of cabbage tree creek. Whatever it was resulted in one of the blades of my prop being bent. Its the bog standard alloy prop on a yam 50hp. Are these things worth repairing or is it cheaper to buy a new one? Also, what would one expect to pay for a stainless version and where would one go to buy one?

[TheRealAndy]

Ok, just checkout out the Solas website, $80 to repair, $250odd for a new aluminium prop, $500 for a stainless. Are stainless worth paying double for? What makes them so great?

[Blackened]

Ok, just checkout out the Solas website, $80 to repair, $250odd for a new aluminium prop, $500 for a stainless. Are stainless worth paying double for? What makes them so great?

G'day

Stainless come into their own in high horsepower applications, (115 and above imo), they will not distort like alloy will under any significant load and mainly blue water stuff. Any impact with the prop is unlikely in the blue water (compared to creek and river work) and if anything was to hit a stainless prop, there's a higher chance of gearbox damage.

Imo, if your current one is that bad, go with a new one and keep the current for a spare, and whilst you're at it, talk to solas about your rig and what figures you're getting... may be able to fine tune performance further.

Otherwise, get a repair done and see how it's performing after that,

Dave

[TimiBoy]

Well worth the repair to have a spare on hand. I'd buy a new one as well, and keep it on the boat if you're kicking around in areas where you may hit stuff. I agree that stainless is all for looks in your size.

You can do serious damage to your gearbox with a bent prop attached. If you have tools and a spare on board, bingo! No problem! If I ever hit something I always check the prop before I continue.

[Outsider1]

The other thing about stainless props for your application is if you hit something again they will not be as forgiving on the gearbox/leg as your alloy prop was.

Cheers

Dave

[TheRealAndy]

Cheers. Probably go for aluminium then. I have no idea what it was, but being in 3-4meters of water I assume it was an animal of some type. I could not see anything. Whatever it was, it rolled the end of just a single blade, no damage to gearcase or skeg. I felt like the engine had just bogged down a bit as if I had hit the back of a wave.

[Gilli]

mate if your paying 250 bux for a prop then i would believe that you are getting ripped off. 150 bux is the price for a new 50hp prop, i have just bought one for a mates 50hp for him. if need be, call rising sun marine here in townsville and get one shipped down, 250 is way overpriced and stainless steel isnt good if you are going through sandy channels or creeks.

[Poodroo]

As already stated the best thing would be to get a new prop but repair the damaged one to keep as a second prop. Twice now I have come across guys who have just had a boat serviced and taken it out on the water to find the split pin was not secure and they have lost the prop. If they had a spare they could have avoided the expensive tow home which was about the same amount of money as a stainless prop. Food for thought.

Poodroo

[backlash08]

Yep, agree with all of the above, get it fixed as a spare, put a new std one on, SS is a waist on 50hp (and shop around on price)

cheers

Craig

[TheRealAndy]

Thanks guys. I will order a new one tomorrow. Is it worth going the extra $100 for a solas prop? I honestly doubt it but others might have an opinion. Also, where do I get a prop repaired. I noticed solas also does this for $80.

Photo of damage is attached
Odd how only one blade was damaged.

[Blackened]

G'day

I have a solas on my 9.9 merc. I've tried the identical merc one to the solas, identical in diameter and pitch,

The solas has a slightly larger blade area, and this gives me better hole shot, better top end and I am able to hold plane better.

Just an observation.

PS... when you call them, ask them for a better price, more often than not they'll knock it down a bit

Dave

[Outsider1]

For the repair price or whatever you can negotiate with them, Solas should pretty well refurbish the prop for you, not just repair the specific damage i.e. tidy up the tipping, any other dings, check the hub etc.

You should be able to negotiate a reasonable deal if you are buying a new prop as well as getting one repaired I would have thought. Have also heard good things about Solas customer service, they seem to go the extra mile.

Cheers

Dave

[TheRealAndy]

Thanks. Will get a quote from a local yam dealer on bog standard prop, then give solas a call for a quote for a new one plus repair of the old prop. I dont mind spending a few extra bucks if I get a prop that is better suited to the boat and is better quality.

Cheers for the heads up on the prices Gilli.

[tunaticer]

I think you will find that prop repair will be an easy one for them. Looks like all the damage is towards the edges. I bent a prop closer to the hub several years ago about 5 degrees and it let go when trying to straighten it. The further from the hub the better the chances of repairing.

Jack.

[Poodroo]

Thanks guys. I will order a new one tomorrow. Is it worth going the extra $100 for a solas prop? I honestly doubt it but others might have an opinion. Also, where do I get a prop repaired. I noticed solas also does this for $80.

Photo of damage is attached
Odd how only one blade was damaged.

That prop will come up like new once repaired. They well have it all freshly painted as well. As for the single blade being damaged you will have been motoring along so what ever was submerged that did the damage the one blade has obviously hit it but you were past it before the other blades came into contact with it. Just my thoughts.

Poodroo