| Name: |
Jim120
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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8/27/2008 6:58:51 PM
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A couple weeks ago when the water was lower than today, I tore up my Merc 190 HP I/O prop making my way to Kowaliga. I thought I was leaving VERY ample clearance between a couple of distant warning buoys, and was moving slowly, but a sudden whack! let me know I had "misunderestimated" the depth. I made my way home (vibrating a bit) but when I took the boat out, noted my prop was seriously damaged. Will require replacement for sure.
Any ballpark idea how much I am looking at for a new prop and replacement?
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| Name: |
Mack
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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8/28/2008 5:36:51 PM
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Get the size and pitch numbers off the old prop. Go to overtons.com and look it up under the prop section. Not saying buy it there, but it will put you in the ballpark.
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| Name: |
The G Man
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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8/28/2008 9:44:52 PM
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You may want to check on getting the prop reworked. There is a one man shop in Alex city, The Prop Shop. Have not done any business with him, however I did visit his shop, appears to be a reputable operator. Ron Manning 256 749-4822.
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| Name: |
Jim120
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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8/30/2008 11:41:41 AM
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Thank you both for the help and I'll look into both areas - replacement and repair. I'm dubious about repairs at this point since one of the blades of the prop is almost entirely gone -- maybe 1/2 to 2/3 or so gone, so this isn't about "hammering the dents" out of a dented prop or smoothing the blade edges. My Dad told me that many years ago he had a damaged prop reworked to save money and apparently his experience was acceptable-to-fine, so if the cost of replacement is way high it is something I'll look into for sure.
Again thanks, and if anyone else has any other pointers, I'm all ears.
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| Name: |
Jim120
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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8/31/2008 3:19:22 PM
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Well, as usual in such cases my confusion obviously is about to increase before it begins to decrease. I "ASSumed" I'd get a prop just like the one I have and that would be it, but it's a lot more, uh, interesting than that. Forgive me, it's the first time I've investigated the topic of props.
My engine is a Mercury Mercruiser AlphaOne 4.3L 190 HP sterndrive. It's in a used 19' Tahoe Fish & Ski I bought this year. I think it was bought by the original owner in 2006. We bought from them.
The prop has "832834A45P23 Mercury" stamped on it. Overtons has no listing at all (even after I drop the P23 and Mercury) for that S/N but I get hits with Google and likewise as I start zeroing in on places like iboats.com I also find it. The odd thing is that Mercury's equipment listings say this is only for 2004 and earlier engines. It's an aluminum prop.
As I winnow my way through various "prop finders" I also see I could apparently in theory buy any of a large number of brands of prop, ranging in price from about $110 way up about $675. I gather one big difference is aluminum vs stainless steel. I can't afford a $600 prop, so that decision is easy. Looks like about $180 is the going rate for buying a new aluminum prop just like the one I have.
However, the "pitch" issue relates to how you use the boat (though in real life I am not sure how much difference it makes.) And also I apparently have the option of a 4-blade prop vs the existing 3-blade prop. Only the future will tell exactly how we use this boat over its life, but I do have two 13/16 year old daughters who like to get pulled on boards and skis etc, unlike the previous owners who were a retired couple. Top speed is not important top us (in fact, this boat is too darn small to run at its top dangerous-feeling 50+ speed on this lake and I am perfectly happy cruising at 25-35 mph.)
So what do you guys think? (Assuming I replace rather than repair.)
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| Name: |
Mack
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/1/2008 10:12:26 PM
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Yep. You are right. Just tried to plug in your engine into Overton's website on props and it gagged. As if there aren't about a zillion AlphaOne/Merc drives out there.
Suggestion. Take your prop off the outdrive (simple tools)Nut and lockwasher. Use a toothbush or wirebrush and scrub the hub surrounding the center of the prop. There should be an etched number of the "Diameter and Pitch" of the old prop. ie 19X23 or
17x21, something like that. If your boat was performing to your OK before, replace it with the same. Online or at a marine dealer. Or..
Wait for CatBoat to read your post and offer advice.
Good luck.
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| Name: |
Pontoonfisher
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/4/2008 7:19:13 AM
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I would buy the aluminum prop. Ther is not much need for a 4 blade stainless steal prop if you are just doing recreational boating. I would also get the other prop repaired to have as a backup. We have run a repaired aluminum prop for years with no issues. Lost as much blade as you did.
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| Name: |
Jim120
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/4/2008 11:04:49 AM
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The idea of reworking the current prop and keeping it as an emergency replacement had occurred to me. I looked at it again when I was at the Lake LD weekend and of the three blades, two are a bit scraggly around the edges and one is missing maybe 15% of its end, less than I originally stated (from memory) but still pretty bad. I know the best way to find out is to check the guy who does it, but do you reckon reworking that prop to use as a replacement would cost substantially less than just buying a second one at ca $180? Just imagining the process, reworking a prop conjure up images of the village smithy and seems pretty labor-intensive and time-consuming.
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| Name: |
Jim Dandy
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/4/2008 11:40:42 AM
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I tear up a prop about once a year. Have them rebuilt for around $75 including shipping (aluminum). Always carry one around as a spare.
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| Name: |
Jim120
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/4/2008 3:08:23 PM
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Thanks. Where do you ship them and what's the turnaround time?
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| Name: |
Jim Dandy
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/4/2008 3:40:30 PM
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I live in ATL. The place I use is Georgia Precision Propeller in Buford, GA. Phone number is 770-945-1961. Turn around is usually 1 to 2 weeks. Used them for years and always been pleased.
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| Name: |
Lakeman
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/4/2008 7:02:41 PM
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Call Farley Stewart in Opelika. 334-745-5653. He repairs props and is probably the best in this area.
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| Name: |
Landlocked
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/5/2008 1:20:59 PM
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Man that sounds like a lot of props!
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| Name: |
Jim Dandy
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/5/2008 2:28:02 PM
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Guess if the old lady would drop a couple of pounds, the boat wouldn't sit so low in the water......
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| Name: |
Landlocked
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/5/2008 2:32:40 PM
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Whoooooooaaa! LOL
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| Name: |
Mack
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| Subject: |
Watch Over your shoulder....
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Date:
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9/5/2008 6:25:29 PM
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If the "old lady" happens to read this post, you might have more busted than your prop.
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/5/2008 6:59:19 PM
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From what I can tell, it is a standard Alpha Merc. prop with 23 inches of pitch. I'll check prices if you'd like, but expect to spend 150-200 bucks for a decent prop. of the alum. variaty. Why not just order you a new one. There are quite large differences in 3 and 4 blade props when it comes to performance. If you go down 1" of pitch and add a blade (4-blade prop), you will notice that the boat will perform better when doing towing and ski duties. That would really be great for some relief for the V-6. Remember, pitch is how far the boat/prop travels through the water in one revolution provided there is NO slip. It would help to know the ratio of your Alpha outdrive also. That number can be found on the Merc. decal on either side of the upper drive assem. It will say 1.65, 1.50, etc. I'll see if I have a used one at the shop. Sorry for the long post. Should you want to discuss any upgrade ideas concerning propellers, call me at 334.657.4349 anytime before 9pm. That good ole' allaround 23" prop is just kinda middle of the road, and pretty much non specific for use. You'll be pleasantly surprised at performance/handling gains you can get (and I don't mean speed) when you get a prop designed for more specific use. Why not view this as an opportunity to upgrade?????
Steve
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| Name: |
Jim120
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/6/2008 12:29:25 AM
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Actually, an "upgrade opportunity" is sort of the way I've been looking at it and I figured after some homework that as you say, the 23" 3-blade aluminum was dealer-selected as sort of a generic middle of the road prop. I'd managed to sort of piece together most of your advice but without some experience it seems easy to make the wrong guess when you're a newbie and self-taught like me. You're right on the money as far as cost.
We don't do nearly the heavy lifting my parents used to do with their boat when I was a kid: they spent all day long pulling four of us and our pals around on skis and "aquaplanes" as we called the huge wooden board we used in those days. Of course this was back when a 35/50 HP Johnson was a pretty big engine (this 190 HP monstrosity seems absurd to me.) If I had to guess (we've only had this boat about 2 months during most of which our girls were away at camp, and my skiing days are well behind me), I'd say we will wind up pulling skiers and the like 15% of the time and cruising the lake 70% of the time and MAYBE fishing some of the time (though "fish and ski" is a real misnomer -- it's a powerboat with some cosmetic fishing-boat-like touches awkwardly pasted on and a trolling motor thrown in. I wanted a green aluminum jon-boat with a small engine on it but I got outvoted 3-1. But for our needs it's a nice little boat.
I've been hunting all over for that gear-ration information you mention -- the prop-finders on the web want to know that too. When we head up tomorrow I'll look where you pointed me.
Thanks.
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| Name: |
proprops
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/15/2008 10:32:52 AM
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Farley Stewart has retired but I'm in the Lake Harding area and can repair props for a very reasonable price. Sounds like you've made the right choice here and I agree with Cat House. Just keep me in mind for next time. Van Griffin/Proprops 334-559-4099.
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/15/2008 10:03:45 PM
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Pro Props. I will be calling you soon, to discuss what all we are sending out. I would love to do more local/Semi local business. I will try and call you on Thursday. Thanks, Steve
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| Name: |
proprops
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| Subject: |
Tore-up prop
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Date:
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9/16/2008 4:51:31 PM
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Cat Boat,
Sounds great, I can do anything from powder coat to high polish finish. I've a couple of finishes that I came up with myself that I feel are high performers and would love to have your input on them. Call anytime!!
Thanks, Proprops
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