Spare props...Good idea or too costly?

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

SO how many of you carry a spare prop? and should I carry one?

Keep in mind I ski in deep water. I dont know if its a good idea to have one or if its just overkill. They are expensive insurance to just have lying in the boat.

SO where is a good place to get one?? from skidim?

I have a 1991 prostar with the powerslot. 14x18 prop from whats stamped in the prop. and which I believe is a LH rotation. is this correct?

I see skidim has a 14X18 OJ prop on their site. any other ideas??

Curious what you people think. thanks!!! :D

Don

[6ballsisall]

I would always recommend carrying a spare. The thing is regardless of how deep of water you ski in, stuff happens and sooner or later you'll ding one up. Nothings worse than beeing grounded because you don't have a spare!

[BG1772]

Spare prop is always a good idea. Be sure to get a prop puller or a gear puller too. You will be amaized how much torque the prop is wedged on with.

Props show up on e-bay quite reguarlly. There is an online prop shop that one of my friends bought is spare from. He said that he saved about $100. However, I don't remember the URL. If I find it, I'll let you know.

[prostar205]

I always carry a spare. I just bought one from the Marketplace section of this web site for my X30. Spare props are invaluable especially when you take the boat out of town for vacation. Nothing is worse than having your boat on the trailer during a one week vacation because you dinged your prop and you have no spare. It does not take much to dinged NiBrAl props and put them off balance.

[Leroy]

I'll be the contrarian, I think it is overkill. I have a spare ACME that I leave at home.

Based on what I see I would say the following is list of what is important.
1. Basic kit of tools
2. Impeller
3. Jug of gas (even though this really isn't practical and you should not do this, probably top reason DIW dead in water)
4. Spare charged up battery
5. Prop
6. shaft;)
7. Fiberglass to patch holes ;)

[jrbrown]

I jump on the band wagon.

Spare props are important if:
- you don't want to lose a ski weekend or week
- if you don't want to get stranded
- if you believe deep water could have something floating in it that could do damage.

Recommend that you after you buy the prop, puller, cotter key puller, plyers and spare nut and cotter key that you pull your prop and make sure the new one fits. Nothin worse than being prepared and being scr$wed because the prop, nut or cotter key were the wrong size.

Safe skiing.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

I keep a good "spare kit" in my boat all the time. I keep a spare impeller, thermostat, drain plug, bilge blower, exhaust flaps, module for elec ign, a basic tool kit, and wire kit. I just started thinking about the spare prop thing because I saw a guy at my marina that chewed up a prop recently. He is not the careful type of boater and he chews up props occasionaly. so, it just started me thinking. I guess all that I really have to lose is time if I muck up my prop. However long it would take to have one shipped to me. so, I will think about it. I am a very careful boater with my MC and my friends that drive it are cautious too. I realize that even in the deep water we run in there may still be hazards that can damage props. We are very familiar with the area, we have skied here 20 years, so we know all the bad spots on the lake. Its hard to fork out $400 to $500 for a prop and puller kit when you may never have to use it. :twocents:

Thanks for the input :) .....and I will keep mulling it over....

[BG1772]

Since we've gotten on the subject of "emergency" parts to keep with you. If you are going on a trip that involves an extended trail, I would recommend a spare set of wheel bearing. I've never smoked a set on a trip before, but it makes me feel good to have a set with me.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Yes, that is a great idea for a long haul. :D my longest trip to a launch is only about 12 miles from my house, so its not a big concern for my trailering style. Help is always nearby around here. :wavey:

[maristarman]

If we're on a local day trip I don't bring the spare prop along. if we're going overnite somewhere we bring it.

10 minutes into our first trip on Lake Shasta our prop got tore up on an unmarked submerged object. I couldn't have been gladder that I spent the extra $$$ to buy a spare prop to bring along. Bought it online and saved about $100 over buying local retail. Turned out it saved us about $150 over what a new prop would have run us up in Redding.

[Brent]

A buddy chewed up his prop yesterday on a course magnet & borrowed my spare until his is repaired! I have 2 spares , the first is what came with used 87 prostar 2 1/2 * 13 (supposed to be 13*13) so I bought another 13*13, that got chewed up by my brother , So I'm using a 4 blade which I love! I would wait till you ding the prop you already have , then purchase a new prop & get the other repaired & us it as a back-up!

[WTRSK1R]

All it takes is one trip out of town where you damage the prop, and you will want the spare. I found out the hard way where we almost lost a weekend. The good news is I found a MC dealer who had a prop. The bad news is I paid about $100 more then I would have if I would have bought it ahead of time.

By the way, don't forget that the Powerslot has a 1 1/8 inch prop shaft instead of the normal 1 inch in addition to being 14 x 18.

[JDK]

A spare prop is a good idea, but unless you think you can change it while the boat is floating in the water, there's no reason to carry it in the boat.
Also, no one has mentioned that in addition to a puller, you need to carry a wrench or you will still be stranded.

[betsy&david Harrison]

A spare prop is a must! And always carry the tools to change it out. B

[Bongo]

I keep a good "spare kit" in my boat all the time. I keep a spare impeller, thermostat, drain plug, bilge blower, exhaust flaps, module for elec ign, a basic tool kit, and wire kit.


I'll have to admit, a few of these have me questioning what I carry. I've got a spare impeller, thermostat, drain plug, ignition parts (points, condensor; haven't switched over) and wheel bearings. Basically, the "consumable" components that I change occasionally. I don't have a spare prop, which maybe I should; though after 14 years with the boat, I haven't yet had a need.

Why the extra bilge blower and exhaust flaps? I haven't heard of these going out very often, and even if they do it won't leave you high and dry. (I'm suggesting opening the cover if the blower goes out. I'm not suggesting it is unimportant.)

Bongo

[Mosaic13]

Well, I brought this up in another thread and there's something I still don't understand. If you've dented up your prop on a long weekend, how do know that your strut or shaft isn't damaged as well without having it checked out? Slapping a spare prop on is easy enough, but the damage caused by a misaligned shaft will be far more cosly than what you pay for that spare in the first place. I see a lot of folks talking about carrying a spare, but I just don't get it. I know a lot of you are practically part-time mechanics, but for the average person who just buys a boat a puts it in the water to have fun with his/her family, this sounds like bad advice. Help me understand! :huh:

[Maristar210]

Well, I brought this up in another thread and there's something I still don't understand. If you've dented up your prop on a long weekend, how do know that your strut or shaft isn't damaged as well without having it checked out? Slapping a spare prop on is easy enough, but the damage caused by a misaligned shaft will be far more cosly than what you pay for that spare in the first place. I see a lot of folks talking about carrying a spare, but I just don't get it. I know a lot of you are practically part-time mechanics, but for the average person who just buys a boat a puts it in the water to have fun with his/her family, this sounds like bad advice. Help me understand! :huh:


You do have a valid point. When I took mine in for the 15 hour service they informed me I would need a new strut and that I must have hit something very hard. (I did). The moral of this seems to be that if you bump something then its probably just the prop that takes the damage, if you hit something HARD it needs to come out and have the strut and shaft checked as well. For comparison's sake I hit a stump at 15 MPH and the back of the boat lifted significantly.

Hope that helps.

Steve

[Mosaic13]

I remember your story MS210. I hit a piece of drift wood in 50 feet of water. Sent the prop to OJ for repairs and they totaled it. Also needed a new strut. Believe me it wasn't that significant. The boat never moved. Just heard a "thud" and felt a minor vibration in the thottle. In my mind, that says "you never know".

[Leroy]

I think this varies a lot on the lake and how careful you are. On some lakes you absolutely need a second impeller and expect to use it. If your lake/river has many hidden dangers then the extra prop makes more sense. But you aren't going to carry the extra shaft or strut. Extra drain plug is also handy to have.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Why the extra bilge blower and exhaust flaps? I haven't heard of these going out very often, and even if they do it won't leave you high and dry. (I'm suggesting opening the cover if the blower goes out. I'm not suggesting it is unimportant.)

Bongo


I have those because they were both inexpensive to buy, and I have a "thing" about having a functional bilge blower. I have a relative that blew the engine cover off his boat by starting it without a blower. I dam near killed him and his buddy. I have always been a big believer in having a spare blower. My friends that have boats all carry one too. I just think its very important to have. They are a very inexpensive safety item.
The exhaust flaps are not curucial, but they are inexpensive and easy to have onbaord and replace if need be.

OH yea, I forgot to add that I carry a spare belt too.

[shepherd]

"amen" on the spare belt. I've had one break in the middle of our lake and didn't have a spare.

Rigger tip: I wrapped a small line I had in my tool bag around the pulleys as tight as I could and was able to idle back to the dock, with the engine cover open so I could watch to make sure they kept turning...

However, my day was through because I didn't have a spare belt.

[east tx skier]

Reading this, I wonder why in the world I don't keep my spare in the boat. I have one, but it's in my garage. I'd say it's a waste of space unless you hit something. ;) I need to put together an emergency boat maintenance kit and just leave it in there. Unfortunately, the last time I mangled a prop, a spare wouldn't have helped unless I had a spare shaft and some gel coat repair, too.

[Workin' 4 Toys]

I will have to put in my 2 cents now. I munched my prop :mad: yesterday on who knows what, probably a rock!!!!!!!!! AND I WISH I HAD A SPARE!!!!!! Got a vibration, so I pulled the boat from the water. Noticed that just the very edge of three of the four blades had some crumpling, not bad at all, but enough to loose about 2mph and a slight vibe around 30 :confused: . So we left it out and enjoyed the weather on shore, not too ruined of a weekend, since it was the 3rd day out. However I do wish I had a spare, could have finished off the 3rd tank of fuel. :)
So now I have to ask myself the dreaded question, do I get a 3 blade or a 4 blade and of what type. :confused: Then I will have have mine rebalanced and keep on hand.
Wish I had the spare yesterday!!!!

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

OK, here are a bunch of prop questions for you people that know WAY more about this stuff than I do. (for the record, boat is 91 PS 190 351 w. powerslot 14 x 18 LH prop) :confused:

1. If I were to buy a spare prop, what brand do you recommend? I see skidim sells OJ props in the size I need and its a good price compared to other internet prices I have seen. they also sell the prop change kit too at a good price. Are OJ a good brand? any others you recommend?

2. how bout 3 or 4 blade? whats the difference? and can you change from a 3 blade to a 4 blade?

3. If I got a spare, I would send my current prop in at the end of the season to be checked over and re finished if need be as it may have one very slight imperfection (ding) on it from what I can tell. Can you recommend a reputable place to send it for that? to get checked out and balanced/fixed? I will have to ship it anyway given my location, so paying shipping is not that big of a deal. I dont know of any places in the area here(northern michigan, or wisconsin) I would like to know of GOOD places that do quality work and are good to deal with. I dont mind paying a few bucks more if I know I am going to get quality workman ship.


Anything else you can tell me would help. :D THANKS!!!

[east tx skier]

When I think spare, I think the prop that I will use until my main prop is fixed. Some might think of it as the new prop I keep until I mangle my current prop, at which point, the current prop becomes the spare.

If you have a CNC'd prop already, go with option 1. If you don't, get a CNC'd prop, make it your main prop, and keep your old one as the spare.

If you have a CNC prop already, get on ebay and get the appropriate size OJ hand finished 3 blade prop. Will probably run you about $50 bucks.

If you go four blade, be sure to get a 4 blade prop puller. It will work on 3 or 4 blade props. From what I've been told, the 3 blade pullers won't work on a 4 blade.

[AirJunky]

I have a spare..... my old 3 blade that I had reworked when I bought the new 4 blade. Over the last 3 or 4 years, I've only used it once, for a week or so when the 4 blade was cleaned up after my wife ran over a rope. Had I not had the spare, then the boat would have been down & out that week. So was it worth it? He11 yes!!

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

ok, dumb question here.....what does "CNC'd" prop mean?? THe only thing I know that CNC stands for is Computer Numerically Controlled, as in a machine shop. Like a CNC lathe or milling machine. what do you mean by CNC? I dont have a clue on that one. :o According to the previous owner, the prop is standard and original. so I dont know what that type would be....

I was looking at the Nibral 3 blade OJ props. how do I know if the prop I have is Nibral? or CNC??

I was thinking about buying a new prop and making the current one my spare I guess. Unless I can find a good deal on a used one....none on ebay now. Then I still need to buy a puller kit. and to be honest, I will probably stay with a 3 blade. I am one of those guys that doesnt really mess with stuff like that. If it came with a 3 blade new, I probably will keep it that way.

Please help there easttx on the CNC thing......?? :confused:

thanks!!!
:D

[AirJunky]

You got it.... just means the prop was made on a CNC Machine. They are supposed to be better balanced & usually easily distinguished by the cutting marks in the metal.

As for nibral, no idea what it means, but their made of a brass alloy.

Don't rule out the 4 blade props. You'll find they have great holeshot & a lot less vibration. Prior to the CNC 3 blade props being sold recently, the 4 blades were the only way to go.

[ski_king]

Nickel, Brass, Alunimum Alloy

[ski_king]

Opps, double post......

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

so is it like a complicated thing to switch to a 4 blade prop?? How do you know waht size and pitch to get relative to what I have now?? I have a 14x18 LH 3 blade prop. What would I replace that with in a 4 blade?

and are the current new OJ props CNC?? or are the hand finish?

:confused:


also, keep in mind I think the whole shot on the boat is already very adequate with the powerslot. So I dont know how much the 4 blade could improve that.....but I you got me thinking now.......

[AirJunky]

Well, I brought this up in another thread and there's something I still don't understand. If you've dented up your prop on a long weekend, how do know that your strut or shaft isn't damaged as well without having it checked out? Slapping a spare prop on is easy enough, but the damage caused by a misaligned shaft will be far more cosly than what you pay for that spare in the first place. I see a lot of folks talking about carrying a spare, but I just don't get it. I know a lot of you are practically part-time mechanics, but for the average person who just buys a boat a puts it in the water to have fun with his/her family, this sounds like bad advice. Help me understand! :huh:
I guess it depends on the situation. The last prop & pulled off for a repair was dinged by running over a mooring line, which isn't likely to damage the prop shaft. And once I swapped out the prop, there was very little or no vibration whatsoever. If I had clipped a deadhead at speed, with a SS prop, then of course, get it checked out.

[east tx skier]

With the four blade, you will lose top end. The OJ XMP is their CNC'd prop. The legend/force are their hand finished props. All Acmes are CNC'd.

As for four blades, I think the diameter and pitch would stay the same. On older MCs, the 3 blades were 13x13 for the 1:1. Same setup for the 4 blades.

If you're happy with your hole shot, stick with a 3 blade. With a CNC'd prop, your likely to go with less pitch, so you'll see more out of the hole anyway.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Interesting reading! :) You know, I have always skied with "lesser quality" ski boats all my life, and the last boat I had before the MC was a 16 ft. seasprite open bow with a 170 hp I/O on it with a stingray on the mercruiser. that boat had good hole shot. but when I got the MC, that made my old boat look like a granny mobile on hole shot. I am 185 lbs and my buddy is around 230lbs. and we both pop right out of the water instantly. I cant imagine having more hole shot than I have now with my MC as it is. or that it would even be practical.....

I have never skied behind a MC without a powerslot, so I dont know the difference. I have only skied behind mine so I have nothing to compare it to. SO i guess the 3 blade does me just fine. I dont forsee a need for more hole shot. Any other ideas? comments? suggestions?

Thanks for the input people! :wavey:

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

IM still listening if anyone has anymore input or ideas.... :)

[Larryp]

Has anyone thought of carrying an extra boat. I believe the x80 would be a nice spare. I think they are pretty cheap. :D

[stevo137]

I have been using an Ambush 4 blade for some time now.
All I can tell you is that this prop screams!!!
So I loose 2mph top end, the performance far outweighs it.
And yes, you should always have a spare prop!!!!!!!

[Hoosier Bob]

I can remeber my brother being too cheap to go to the store and buy a stainless steel cotter pin for the prop. On a cloudy day in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay he decided to put the boat in reverse! The "rusty nail" he had used had had enough and let go. The prop went sailing to the bottom of the bay and we sat without any of the above listed items for 7 or 8 hours. Two idiots in the middle of the bay. Spare prop maybe, maybe not. Using your head, knowing your boat, keeping up with repairs and using the right parts is key. Most often I find myself on the water with a buddy a cell phone away.