Looking For A Reputable/Quality Prop Repair Shop In Central NJ

[lkrompier]

Anybody out there have really good experience with a prop repair in the Central New Jersey area? I have 2 Nibral 22 x 23 4-blade props that need reconditioning. No serious damage, just need tuning. I've heard J&B in Bayville is good. Any comments? How much should each prop cost?
Thanks..........

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

I'm not from your area, but I have been very impressed with Prop Scan technology and very UNIMPRESSED with non-propscan facilities.

http://www.atlantispropeller.com/propellers.html

I'd give these guys a call and ask what their process is before going. I drove 1.5hrs from home to Wolverine Propellers (Prop Scan dealer) after an old local shop supposedly "balanced" and "scanned" my props(got talked into using them due to convenience), but delivered them horribly pitted. According to this old shop, the pitting cannot be filled with weld since they were Nibral.

Took them to Wolverine (I had used them about 5yrs ago with my previous boat props and was impressed) for a second opinion. They said Nibral is able to be welded, but only with Nibral rods and using TIG welding to keep the temps down. But then they said, "lets scan them and see what we've got". I watched them compete the process (took about 10 minutes) and the data was there on the computer screen in easy to understand bar graphs. Cleary, the old shop didn't have the props balanced with some blades having more than 1" pitch differences!! At that point, I received an estimate (on the computer screen) for repair. If I would have said no thanks - that would have been "NO CHARGE" for the scan.

They really seem to know what they are doing and the technology is far better than the old shops that use a method called "prop view" that they often try to pass on as "Prop Scan". Clearly NOT the same at all. Wolverine explained the differences between the two systems. They are passionate about props - and they are boaters too!

That's my 2 cents. (I'll know more in a few weeks when my repaired props are ready)

 

[J Levine]

I have used Atlantis a few times and highly recommend them.

 

[rondds]

Larry
Jon (J Levine) turned me on to Atlantis and they are fantastic. Highly recommend them! I ran mine down there and picked them up but there are other local places you could drop them off at for transport to Atlantis.

 

[Alex F]

Another vote for Atlantis, which I also was referred to by Jon.

Larry,
Your props are larger than mine (18.5" and 19"). For tuning I paid $100 for one which was in the category 1, but for modifying the other one to fit category 1 I paid $200. Your props should cost more, but at least this gives you an idea.

 

[osd9]

Larry:

I could walk to J&B but I drive the hour each way to Atlantis....

I have two sets of props......Last set was done at Atlantis one and a half years ago....cost to repitch, scan, polish, etc, was $600 for the pair....they are about the same, size, type and configuration as the props you have.

 

[rondds]

Larry
Both mine (20x19) needed some tuning - $400 for the pair.

 

[osd9]

Ron...how many blades...?

 

[rondds]

3 blades, back in winter 2005/6.

 

[lkrompier]

Thanks, Ron. I've been in touch with H&H in New England who worked on these props before I bought the boat. They have been very helpful and quoted me 445 each to tune and re-cup these to help my planing problem. Their salesman is willing to meet me in NJ to p/u and drop off when done. I'm seriously considering them. Ever heard of H&H?

Larry

 

[lkrompier]

Thanks, all. I just spoke to Ray at Atlantis and will go see him tomorrow.

 

[rondds]

Larry
Never heard of H&H. Good luck with Atlantis!
RON

 

[lkrompier]

Saw Ray today at Atantis. One prop was in category 1 and wasn't too bad at a cost of $137.50 to tune. The other was out and will be $275 to restore to catergory 1. The big change I'm having done is to go from a 4 to 5 cup to (hopefully) resolve a planing and speed problem I've been having. My rpm's are currently right-on and the cup change should have minimal effect on rpm's. He's running some info on his computer tommorrow to verify all the specs and our expectations of the added cup. Lets hope Ray is right and this solves my problem. He certainly seems busy with all the props laying around at his shop. Only took me 45 minutes from where I live to get there. Thanks again everyone for the reference.