What's The Worst That Could Happen

[sten76]

The current prop I have has a few dings in it. I feel a very small flutter during slow speeds (10mph and under), but once I am up to speed, there is no flutter. Could the dings ever create a problem with my shaft or transmission? I plan on getting a new ACME prop later this summer once I learn my new lake and new area around my dock. Is there any reason to get a new prop now, instead of a couple months from now?

Thanks for your help.

[Dan K]

Sten76,
The flutter or vibration you feel can increase the wear on your strut bearing and shaft packing causing premature failure.
Plus your performance will be better if everthing is balance and tuned.

Are you learning your way around your lake with the braille method ?

[Britt]

its like asking when will this remanufactured cheap fuel pump give out. The answer could be 10 minutes or 5 years. In your case it may cause something to happen. IMHO I think you are safe. All really depends on what minor dings are to you opposed what minor dings are to me or someone else. I personally feel that if you can feel vibration no matter the speed its probably a safe bet to change it or simply have it repaired.

[TrespalmasPR]

Our propeller didn't look too bad- sounds like your's, but our rudder started pitting. When we took the boat in to have it winterized and have the prop re-done, the dealer said the pitting on the rudder was due to the uneven water flow coming off the prop. It probably doesn't require immediate attention in your case, but definitely keep an eye on it.

[JDK]

Check your coupler alignment. Your prop might have nothing to do with this flutter.

[east tx skier]

For the $85 plus shipping it will cost to have it remanufactured by OJ, I'd go ahead and do it. In my experience, our remanufactured prop performed better than it did before I demolished it (different MC) Your question is "what's the worst that could happen." The worst that could happen is that the vibrations could damage all sort of things forward of the prop. I know you say the vibrations are small, but no matter how small they feel in that cushioned driver's seat, they are a little greater than that when you consider it from a link-in-the-chain point of view. I don't think, worst case, it stops at the transmission. All of it's connected.

Even if you're getting a new prop, you'll want a spare. You might be fine for 5 minutes or 5 years, but if it were me, I'd bite the bullet, nip it in the bud, and not have to think about it for the rest of the year.

[Maristar210]

Not even close to being worth the risk IMO, get it fixed :)

Steve

[AirJunky]

I dinged a brass 3 blade running over a rope a couple of years ago. The prop had been recently reworked & I didn't care for the idea of doing it again so soon. So I got out the file & a ball peen hammer & trued up the edges that had been dinged. I went from feeling a small vibration to feeling nothing at all..... and gained 2 mph top speed.
I wouldn't recommend doing any major repairs, but if your reasonably handy with tools, and the damage looks like it's limited to the edges, cleaning up your prop yourself might be an option.

[sten76]

I dinged a brass 3 blade running over a rope a couple of years ago. The prop had been recently reworked & I didn't care for the idea of doing it again so soon. So I got out the file & a ball peen hammer & trued up the edges that had been dinged. I went from feeling a small vibration to feeling nothing at all..... and gained 2 mph top speed.
I wouldn't recommend doing any major repairs, but if your reasonably handy with tools, and the damage looks like it's limited to the edges, cleaning up your prop yourself might be an option.

I just ordered an ACME prop. I currently run a 4-blade 13x13. They sugdested a 3-blade 13x12 prop, and said that it would out perform anything else out there.

I know that ACME props are highly recommended on this board, and just wanted to hear anyone's opinion on this prop change. Going to a 3-blade and slightly smaller size.

Thanks

[stevo137]

This guy is not very far from you, about an hour south of Chicago.
He does nice work on props. Just ask for Don.

http://www.indianaprop.com/

[east tx skier]

This is the prop I have 13x12. I've been very pleased with it. I did not switch from a four blade though.

[sten76]

Well I put the new Acme prop on and it runs like a dream. I am not turning a higher RPM, 4900 and the hole shot is great. No more vibration and lots of speed.

One thing I noticed is that it puts out a small spray in the wake right off the boat. I don't remember I other prop doing that, is this normal?