Removing props while in the water?

[TitanTn]

Hit a submerged log this weekend and have a dinged prop(s). I've never messed with the props on my boat to this point and I'm wondering if they are removed like smaller inboards. Cotter pin, nut, prop puller, key. Anything special I should know?

1998 400 Express - straight inboards

 

[Little Ducky]

They were everywhere.

I tagged one as well.

Outdrive and prop damage.

Didn't even hear it.

Glad the damage wasn't fatal...... going to repair later on this year when the boat comes out for other repairs.

 

[sbw1]

They are as you described. Usually they are pulled in a sling or on the hard. I know they can be changed in the water as I watched two of them be completely changed out on a 72 foot Hatteras in Harbor Springs. Much easier to do out of the water.

 

[electricaldoctor]

I have changed them in the water. I pulled up into shallow water at a beach to get it done. I backed both nuts off on each shaft and left the cotter pins in place. I started the engines and bumped them in and out of reverse a few times. My props then slid back towards the nuts. I then removed the cotter pins, nuts, and props. Be extra careful not to lose the shaft keys when you slide the props off. I used my scuba gear to make the job easy.

 

[PlayDate]

I have changed them in the water. I pulled up into shallow water at a beach to get it done. I backed both nuts off on each shaft and left the cotter pins in place. I started the engines and bumped them in and out of reverse a few times. My props then slid back towards the nuts. I then removed the cotter pins, nuts, and props. Be extra careful not to lose the shaft keys when you slide the props off. I used my scuba gear to make the job easy.

That's a gutsy way to do it!

I have three blade props and c clamp style puller. Scuba on, pull the cotter pins, back off the nuts 1/4", puller on and tighten....prop comes loose (as electricaldoctor said: keep a hand on the key). New prop on and tighten the nuts and set the cotter pin. A couple of things to watch out for:

1) Props are heavy and will take you to the bottom very quickly if you are in the water. Plan ahead and tie the prop off to the boat. Pro divers use lift bags for props on big boats.

2) 10 years ago we used to think nothing of using scuba and replace props in our slips. The water was a reasonable depth and the boat wasn't moving around. The danger is stray current. I can recall the last time I did that job my arms were tingling for 3 days. It could have been far worse. Now it is far easier to spend the money on a short haul and put the spares on.

 

[TitanTn]

Thanks guys - it's good to confirm that it's a process I already know. I will be doing it in somewhat shallow water with scuba gear. There's no other boats and no shore power connects so there's not any concern about stray electric. I have a puller but I don't know if it's large enough. The trick about bumping it forward and reverse is good to know as a back up.

 

[TitanTn]

They were everywhere.

I tagged one as well.

Outdrive and prop damage.

Didn't even hear it.

Glad the damage wasn't fatal...... going to repair later on this year when the boat comes out for other repairs.

I didn't see this one until after I hit it and even then it only barely floated to the surface. But I definitely heard it. Lots of banging and then vibrations. I had to slow down to 1,500 rpms and the vibration about disappeared, but I didn't dare go any faster.

 

[my3sons]

Hit a submerged log this weekend and have a dinged prop(s). I've never messed with the props on my boat to this point and I'm wondering if they are removed like smaller inboards. Cotter pin, nut, prop puller, key. Anything special I should know?

1998 400 Express - straight inboards

Yep, that’s the drill, but for doing it in the water, you might want to consider using a prop knocker. It’s a whole lot easier and a lot faster than messing around with a typical puller under water. Regular pullers can be a pita even when on the hard.

 

[PlayDate]

We call them Potomac alligators in DC.

The hillbillies up river throw all their cut wood in the headwaters of the Potomac and Anacostia river and it makes its way to DC and down to the Chesapeake. Some are so big they should have registration numbers. Others float right beneath the surface and will in the best case just damage a prop. In the worst case they will bend a strut, shaft and potentially crack the hull at the strut pad. Consider yourself fortunate.