spare prop - not ideal match, but should I get it?

[cdefreit]

Boaters World has a small selection of aluminum props left and I was thinking about getting one as a spare. I have an 07 - 185 sport 3.0 with an Alpha 1 2:1 drive. The stock prop is 14.50x19. WOT=4800

The only thing close they have left is a 14.00x23. Probably too much pitch for my little 3.0 to push, but for $45 I was wondering if you guys thought it would make a good spare?

the stock is 14.5 diameter and this one is 14.00, can I even use this prop?

 

[Lazy Daze]

For $45, get it. Any size spare prop is better than no prop. Don't forget to keep a prop wrench (ideally a floating one) and a short piece of 2x4 on the boat. The diameter difference is fine.

 

[H2ONUT]

Buy it and sell it on E-Bay and put some $$$ in your pocket!

 

[coolings]

you will loose about 600 rpms at WOT. That is no big deal if you are going to use it to just get back to shore and fix your original one or buy another one if you damage your current.

 

[cdefreit]

Would I need a Hub kit as well?

 

[Lazy Daze]

It would take a REALLY big hit to damage the hub - especially since you're only running an aluminum to start with. While it's not a bad idea to keep an extra hub kit on board, I think you'll be fine without it. On an 18' boat, you can only realistically carry so much extra before you're tripping over it.

Do you need the hub kit for the new prop - or will the new prop use the Merc one that is in your current prop? That I can't answer - Boater's World should be able to tell you if the brand of prop you're buying would work without a different hub kit.

 

[berth control]

I've only spun a hub once, but that was on a bigger boat with a v8, and it was a 20 year old hub. You will prob. be fine with just the original hub.

 

[Nehalennia]

good spare but would lug that 3L I would think in the long term.
Good buy.

 

[coolings]

I mercury or quicksilver prop will come with a hub kit that will fit your shaft.