Extra Propeller?

imyourhuckleberry · 06-01-2022, 07:59 PM

Anyone else have an extra propeller sitting with their marina in case they hit a rock?
I was told its a good idea for a couple reasons; It can really mess up your engine + boat to drive around with a damaged prop, and you'll lose valuable time on the water during the season waiting for the part to arrive from the manufacturer.

I haven't heard of this, but it makes sense to me. Is this something boat owners invest in?

steve-on-mark · 06-01-2022, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imyourhuckleberry

Anyone else have an extra propeller sitting with their marina in case they hit a rock?
I was told its a good idea for a couple reasons; It can really mess up your engine + boat to drive around with a damaged prop, and you'll lose valuable time on the water during the season waiting for the part to arrive from the manufacturer.

I haven't heard of this, but it makes sense to me. Is this something boat owners invest in?

Sure do!

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

Descant · 06-01-2022, 09:20 PM

The last two (ocean) boats I bought, the surveyor remarked on whether there were or were not spare propellers. It is less common on lake boats. For commonly stocked props, it is less common to keep your own in inventory. Check with your dealer to see what they normally have on hand.

Descant · 06-01-2022, 09:24 PM

A current chart costs $12(?). My four blade props are about $1500-$2000. Get an extra chart.

steve-on-mark · 06-02-2022, 04:02 AM

It's not only the rocks to worry about..on some propellers, it's possible for the hub in the center to separate from the outer blade portion...acts like a slipping clutch in a manual transmission vehicle. That's happened a few times to me, and with spares, I can change them right at the dock.

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tis · 06-02-2022, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

A current chart costs $12(?). My four blade props are about $1500-$2000. Get an extra chart.

I agree. Except over the years many of the buoys have moved and are not where they should be. We have one by our house that is not even close to where it used to be by the rocks years ago and I told MP when he was here. He said that's where GPS says it goes. So I guess it doesn't matter if it's near rocks as long as GPS says that's where it should be.

burgerunh · 06-02-2022, 07:45 AM

Funny this topic came up...I just received my spare prop in the mail yesterday. Ordered it last week. Once I came to the conclusion that I had the "right" prop for my pontoon I figured it was a good idea to have a spare on hand for if and when I need it. It's on the shelf in my workshop. I got a good deal on it brand new on Ebay and now I have it when I need it. I will have very minimal downtime in the event of a prop incident.

Pricestavern · 06-02-2022, 10:24 AM

When we had a slip at a marina, we left a spare prop with them so there wouldn't be any wait time if we arrived with a ding (or worse). Once we owned our own slip (Minge Cove) we kept the spare in the boat. Nothing worse than waiting around for the new prop to arrive or for the old one to be fixed...especially if your cabin is out on an island.

Kamper · 06-02-2022, 10:52 AM

I carried a spare prop on my boat. Actually, had two at one point.

Changed one after getting confused in a channel on the lake, and had it rebuilt. I waited until I got back to the dock to change it.

The 2nd time, was on the Merrimack in Tyngsboro, trying to slip through the channel by the golf course. I let the boat drift back down the channel and made the change at the channel mouth. Unfortunately, I forgot to stow it and the casualty bounced out somewhere in Greeley Park.

If you need to change it yourself, tie a line to each part and tool (especially in deep water) so you can quickly recover anything that slips from your grip.

FYI: Rebuilding your prop costs about 1/3 to 1/2 as much as a new one. Your Dealer/Repair shop will farm this out so it's easy to have it done.

LikeLakes · 06-02-2022, 11:33 AM

I always have a spare at the house.

It somewhat depends on what you have. Descant mentioned very expensive props, I can see not having a spare one of those hanging around. But if you have a more common prop having a spare is a good plan. If you have a stainless prop and don't want the expense of a spare, buy a same size aluminum for your spare. On my ski boat the props are pretty expensive but I still have a spare, slightly different size as I was trying out some sizes anyway but perfect to use for a spare.

TiltonBB · 06-02-2022, 12:21 PM

If you hit something that damages your prop badly enough you won't want to drive it any further than you have to. The out of balance shake will do more damage.

All of the years I had single engine, single prop boats I carried a spare prop, spare cotter pin, extra nut, and a wrench. On one occasion I hit something in the water and limped into someone's dock. With the drive trimmed all the way up I changed the prop from the swim platform, without getting in the water. It only takes about 10 minutes.

An extra prop is nice but I would rather have it on the boat than leave it at home or at the marina.

LikeLakes · 06-02-2022, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

If you hit something that damages your prop badly enough you won't want to drive it any further than you have to. The out of balance shake will do more damage.

All of the years I had single engine, single prop boats I carried a spare prop, spare cotter pin, extra nut, and a wrench. On one occasion I hit something in the water and limped into someone's dock. With the drive trimmed all the way up I changed the prop from the swim platform, without getting in the water. It only takes about 10 minutes.

An extra prop is nice but I would rather have it on the boat than leave it at home or at the marina.

Great point on having the spare pin, nut, and the wrench to change it. The spare prop isn't much good without being able to use it!

Cal Coon · 06-02-2022, 06:25 PM

You don't need an expensive "spare" prop. Just get an aluminum one (for around 100, plus or minus for most boats), and keep it on board just in case. Just like a spare tire... You can use the spare till the nice one gets fixed, or replaced, and avoid down time.

Dave R · 06-04-2022, 05:55 AM

My boat came with two spare props (twin engine) and a PVC pipe, with a screw-on cap, glassed into the hull for a spare prop shaft. I intend to get as spare prop shaft before I start cruising to exotic places.

Spare parts are smart to have handy. I had an entire spare Bravo 3 drive for my last boat and I'd put it in the back seat of my truck when we'd tow the boat to far away places for long vacations. Never had to use it, but was nice to know it was handy. Imagine starting a two week cruise and the drive blows up on day 2...

Weekend Pundit · 06-04-2022, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imyourhuckleberry

Anyone else have an extra propeller sitting with their marina in case they hit a rock?
I was told its a good idea for a couple reasons; It can really mess up your engine + boat to drive around with a damaged prop, and you'll lose valuable time on the water during the season waiting for the part to arrive from the manufacturer.

I haven't heard of this, but it makes sense to me. Is this something boat owners invest in?

I carry a spare prop and the appropriate spinner and locking bolt onboard. I want to be able to mount a new prop regardless of whether I'm somewhere on the lake or back at my dock. I've only had to mount a spare prop once in 30 years of boating on the lake when I lost the screw while teaching my son how to drive the boat when he was 11 years old. It took all of 15 minutes to mount the spare prop.

At the moment I have the speed prop (14 x 23) mounted and the 'regular' prop (14 x 21) as my spare.

Both props are aluminum and I've had them both rebuilt at one point or another over the years I've had my boat.

Rich · 06-08-2022, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve-on-mark

It's not only the rocks to worry about..on some propellers, it's possible for the hub in the center to separate from the outer blade portion...acts like a slipping clutch in a manual transmission vehicle. That's happened a few times to me, and with spares, I can change them right at the dock.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

Yes,

I had to have new hubs installed this spring before launch.

I have twin duo props. Just about $520 per hub. There are four if you are not counting. No, I didn't hit anything, just because of age and wear!

You know the saying is true. . . . B.O.A.T.

06-01-2022, 07:59 PM	#1
imyourhuckleberry Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 33 Thanks: 7 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Extra Propeller? Anyone else have an extra propeller sitting with their marina in case they hit a rock? I was told its a good idea for a couple reasons; It can really mess up your engine + boat to drive around with a damaged prop, and you'll lose valuable time on the water during the season waiting for the part to arrive from the manufacturer. I haven't heard of this, but it makes sense to me. Is this something boat owners invest in?

06-01-2022, 09:20 PM	#3
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,337 Thanks: 1,339 Thanked 1,620 Times in 1,052 Posts	On board props The last two (ocean) boats I bought, the surveyor remarked on whether there were or were not spare propellers. It is less common on lake boats. For commonly stocked props, it is less common to keep your own in inventory. Check with your dealer to see what they normally have on hand.

06-02-2022, 04:02 AM	#5
steve-on-mark Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Epping, NH / Mark Island Posts: 1,831 Thanks: 186 Thanked 727 Times in 422 Posts	It's not only the rocks to worry about..on some propellers, it's possible for the hub in the center to separate from the outer blade portion...acts like a slipping clutch in a manual transmission vehicle. That's happened a few times to me, and with spares, I can change them right at the dock. Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk __________________ ....keeping " urban decay " out of photos for nearly a year.

06-02-2022, 10:24 AM	#8
Pricestavern Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Valencia, Spain (formerly Rattlesnake Isle) Posts: 388 Thanks: 135 Thanked 142 Times in 82 Posts	Absolutely When we had a slip at a marina, we left a spare prop with them so there wouldn't be any wait time if we arrived with a ding (or worse). Once we owned our own slip (Minge Cove) we kept the spare in the boat. Nothing worse than waiting around for the new prop to arrive or for the old one to be fixed...especially if your cabin is out on an island.

06-02-2022, 06:25 PM	#13
Cal Coon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 475 Thanks: 179 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	spare prop You don't need an expensive "spare" prop. Just get an aluminum one (for around 100, plus or minus for most boats), and keep it on board just in case. Just like a spare tire... You can use the spare till the nice one gets fixed, or replaced, and avoid down time.

06-01-2022, 09:24 PM	#4
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,337 Thanks: 1,339 Thanked 1,620 Times in 1,052 Posts	A current chart costs $12(?). My four blade props are about $1500-$2000. Get an extra chart.

06-02-2022, 07:45 AM	#7
burgerunh Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 100 Thanks: 7 Thanked 32 Times in 22 Posts	Funny this topic came up...I just received my spare prop in the mail yesterday. Ordered it last week. Once I came to the conclusion that I had the "right" prop for my pontoon I figured it was a good idea to have a spare on hand for if and when I need it. It's on the shelf in my workshop. I got a good deal on it brand new on Ebay and now I have it when I need it. I will have very minimal downtime in the event of a prop incident.

The Following User Says Thank You to burgerunh For This Useful Post:
Biggd (06-02-2022)

06-02-2022, 10:52 AM	#9
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,302 Thanks: 67 Thanked 171 Times in 127 Posts	I carried a spare prop on my boat. Actually, had two at one point. Changed one after getting confused in a channel on the lake, and had it rebuilt. I waited until I got back to the dock to change it. The 2nd time, was on the Merrimack in Tyngsboro, trying to slip through the channel by the golf course. I let the boat drift back down the channel and made the change at the channel mouth. Unfortunately, I forgot to stow it and the casualty bounced out somewhere in Greeley Park. If you need to change it yourself, tie a line to each part and tool (especially in deep water) so you can quickly recover anything that slips from your grip. FYI: Rebuilding your prop costs about 1/3 to 1/2 as much as a new one. Your Dealer/Repair shop will farm this out so it's easy to have it done.

06-02-2022, 11:33 AM	#10
LikeLakes Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 339 Thanks: 50 Thanked 92 Times in 66 Posts	I always have a spare at the house. It somewhat depends on what you have. Descant mentioned very expensive props, I can see not having a spare one of those hanging around. But if you have a more common prop having a spare is a good plan. If you have a stainless prop and don't want the expense of a spare, buy a same size aluminum for your spare. On my ski boat the props are pretty expensive but I still have a spare, slightly different size as I was trying out some sizes anyway but perfect to use for a spare.

06-02-2022, 12:21 PM	#11
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 2,987 Thanks: 695 Thanked 2,193 Times in 929 Posts	If you hit something that damages your prop badly enough you won't want to drive it any further than you have to. The out of balance shake will do more damage. All of the years I had single engine, single prop boats I carried a spare prop, spare cotter pin, extra nut, and a wrench. On one occasion I hit something in the water and limped into someone's dock. With the drive trimmed all the way up I changed the prop from the swim platform, without getting in the water. It only takes about 10 minutes. An extra prop is nice but I would rather have it on the boat than leave it at home or at the marina.

The Following User Says Thank You to TiltonBB For This Useful Post:
LikeLakes (06-02-2022)

06-04-2022, 05:55 AM	#14
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,984 Thanks: 246 Thanked 743 Times in 443 Posts	My boat came with two spare props (twin engine) and a PVC pipe, with a screw-on cap, glassed into the hull for a spare prop shaft. I intend to get as spare prop shaft before I start cruising to exotic places. Spare parts are smart to have handy. I had an entire spare Bravo 3 drive for my last boat and I'd put it in the back seat of my truck when we'd tow the boat to far away places for long vacations. Never had to use it, but was nice to know it was handy. Imagine starting a two week cruise and the drive blows up on day 2...