Bad Rebuilt Prop?

[Rick K]

Can a prop be rebuilt incorrectly? Admiral used the boat as a dredge again, and had to send mine out for a rebuild. My spare was rebuilt (came with the boat, I never used it before). It's a 14x17, and besides taking my boat a month and 10 miles to plane, it shook and vibrated like hell. I thought for sure the admiral bent the shaft.

Got mine back, threw it on, performs great. It's a 16x16 and puts her up on plane quickly and runs as sooth as silk.

Can props be rebuilt incorrectly? Don't they use a jig, and re-weld them then balance them, etc? I put about 30 minutes on this thing and don't really want to buy a new one just for a spare. Should I send it out to my shop and see what's up, or just buy a new one?

If I gotta buy a new one, anybody got any recommendations other than the 16x16?

Thanks!

 

[JVM225]

I would call a prop guy and see what they recommend.
16 X 16? Is that a 4 blade? I thought the even number pitches were all 4 blade props.
I used PropMD. Their recommendation and prices were great. Google them. It's worth the call

 

[Rick K]

It's a 3 blade, but with the big "mickey mouse ears" for blades. The p/n is right on it, and now I wish I woulda wrote it down before I reinstalled it. It's not a quicksilver/black diamond, but something else. I'll check out that website...

Thanks!

 

[skyscraper88]

on my last boat(four winns 245 vista) I had a 16x14 3-blade. We called it an "elephant ear prop". i had a problem with one that was repaired. I also though I had bent something. turns out to be a bad rebuild. My suggestion, buy new and use your either one for a spare. I just switched to a 4-blade set up for the new "sled" and it is remarkable on how much better she handles. good luck....

 

[JVM225]

If you decide on a new prop then you might want to consider stainless. I switched to stainless on the recommendation of PropMD a couple of years ago and the difference was amazing.

 

[Rick K]

Thanks guys... Been wondering about the 4 blades; never knew anybody that had one. Stainless prop? Would LOVE to, but the way the admiral drives, I'd need a new drive every week! The channel at our YC is kinda narrow, plus there's a stiff wind that's always present. It's deep on our side, but really shallow on the other. WHY my wife thinks she needs to be across from the dock to get in is beyond me. My way: Come up the channel, put the back of the boat up against the dock stanchion, reverse, pivot her in, DONE!

 

[skyscraper88]

Thanks guys... Been wondering about the 4 blades; never knew anybody that had one. Stainless prop? Would LOVE to, but the way the admiral drives, I'd need a new drive every week! The channel at our YC is kinda narrow, plus there's a stiff wind that's always present. It's deep on our side, but really shallow on the other. WHY my wife thinks she needs to be across from the dock to get in is beyond me. My way: Come up the channel, put the back of the boat up against the dock stanchion, reverse, pivot her in, DONE!

If you decide to go to a 4-blade setup, you need to drop the pitch 1-2 degrees to compensate for the 4th blade. you will loose a little top end speed, but the lower speed cruising and the slow speed maneuvering, especially in the marina makes it worth it.