Anyone tried a Chinese prop from eBay?

[Mattster]

So on my second run out in the new Honwave yesterday I managed to put a few dings in the prop. My oldest boy (11) was having his first drive of a boat and (my fault) didn't realise we were shallowing up - on hitting the gravel he ended up revving harder briefly, instead of backing off. Not a major drama, but a couple of proper nicks which I have filed out (side note - the prop seems rather soft compared to what I am used to on the bigger boats I have run in the past, hard to believe a 6hp at near idle with a slight rev blip would damage it as much as it did).

Now I don't need to replace this prop (yet) but I was browsing eBay and saw all these Chinese import props in the £20-30 bracket (inc postage). They look OK in the pics of course, but has anyone tried one? I'm thinking maybe as an emergency backup if nothing else. They even have some nylon versions for even less that look like they would fit - has anyone tried these?

[Steve509926]

I bought this prop from ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Outboard-...-127635-2958-0

I can't complain about the quality at all, in fact it appears to be exactly the same as the OE prop apart from the pitch.

It did exactly as I wanted, increased the revs at WOT by 200rpm without affecting top end speed.

The way I looked at it was Mercury/Quicksilver 9.25 x 8 £160+
Versus
Ebay Chinese copy 9.25 x 8 £40

It was worth a punt at that price and it paid off.

[Mattster]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

The way I looked at it was Mercury/Quicksilver 9.25 x 8 £160+
Versus
Ebay Chinese copy 9.25 x 8 £40

It was worth a punt at that price and it paid off.

Thanks Steve, that seems to be the nub of it.
This is the same prop size as the one that came with my motor, less than £20 delivered..

Lots of dodgy looking sellers with identical props and pictures but, as you say, maybe worth a punt.

[Fenlander]

Yep the cheapies are worthwhile choice and saving on a smaller motor. Not so great if wanting a guaranteed result when pitch changing at higher speeds as their pitch accuracy and/or behaviour is variable. However as Steve found you can get lucky.

[wgc851]

I've got twin yam 60s and put some Chinese props on and not had any problems. And at £70 for 2 it's hard to beat!

[jeffstevens763@g]

Worth playing with cheap props to find the best option then buy a decent one and use the others as spares

[Yabadabadoo]

Timely post. As part of a lowest possible fix for not my outboard left in the sea with no anode, I’ve taken off the old prop for the soon to arrive used gearbox and found a right old mess

It’s only 4hp but thought those in the know would avoid non genuine parts.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-8-x-7-P...-127635-2958-0

Worth a punt?

Or these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-7-8x...-127635-2958-0

If one disintegrates at sea hopefully the other would get you home!

[Fenlander]

This is an aux for a sail boat I think?? If so as you will be replacing anyway you need this prop type... makes a massive difference to gripping the water... particularly when making any attempt to stop. There may be a Chinese version... this was just the first Google result I found (not with my favourite supplier either!)...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264512569085

[chipko]

Originally Posted by Yabadabadoo

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-8-x-7-P...-127635-2958-0

Worth a punt?

Whilst not normally a fan of cheap Chinese props, we did recently purchase a Yamaha pattern 7.5 x 8” PolaStorm from the very same eBay trader. Fast delivery and have to say surprisingly impressed with the general quality of finish, blade thickness, profile etc.

[Fenlander]

Yes I've used that same guy and the Polastorm brand. I agree they are as well finished as some of the OE main OB brand props... in truth they looked better made than both the Suzuki OE props I had for my DF20A.

It was just a case of their pitch reliability.

Not so crucial with the Tohatsu 9.8 and lower speeds but I usually like a correct pitch OE for main use and something like a Polastorm as a spare... and that's probably what I'll buy for the Tohatsu when I know its OE prop pitch is OK for the Aerotec.

Of course the direct from China non-branded are a bit of an unknown.

[chipko]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

It was just a case of their pitch reliability.

Yeah second that.

Usually stick with oem brand as more often than not upping/downing pitch for optimising wot revs, so need the consistency only available from the same range.

[pagick]

I’ve been avoiding eBay lately due to sellers using expensive return shipping as a way to stop the mandatory return policies eBay imposed on sellers.
Example-
I buy an item that “ships from US” (where I live)
Then the item needs to ship back for some reason and the seller makes you pay return shipping to China. At a cost more than item cost.
Is this happening in UK/EU too?

[Fenlander]

Pagick that is a worry of mine and why so far I've only bought low value simple items like GoPro mounts direct from China to UK. But I have to say all those smaller items were cheap and arrived without faults within a reasonable time.

[Yabadabadoo]

It’s actually the MAIN engine (I’ve never been so insulted [emoji23])

Boat is only 19’ but yes more push/thrust might be a good idea.

Current spend to service and buy spares for this 4hp short shaft is £225.00 plus the cost of a prop - yikes!

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by pagick

I’ve been avoiding eBay lately due to sellers using expensive return shipping as a way to stop the mandatory return policies eBay imposed on sellers.

Example-

I buy an item that “ships from US” (where I live)

Then the item needs to ship back for some reason and the seller makes you pay return shipping to China. At a cost more than item cost.

Is this happening in UK/EU too?

It depends how you start the return if its not as described or damaged or incorrect in any way the seller is responsible for the cost of return. If you return as not as described etc they send you a free return label

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by Yabadabadoo

It’s actually the MAIN engine (I’ve never been so insulted [emoji23])

Boat is only 19’ but yes more push/thrust might be a good idea.

Current spend to service and buy spares for this 4hp short shaft is £225.00 plus the cost of a prop - yikes!

I think I'd be putting a £30 Chinese 6hp carb on it in addition to a new prop.

[Yabadabadoo]

Originally Posted by Limecc

I think I'd be putting a £30 Chinese 6hp carb on it in addition to a new prop.

Tell me more..

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by Yabadabadoo

Tell me more..

I uprated my 3.5 Tohatsu to 5hp with a Chinese carb as detailed in this thread: https://www.rib.net/forum/f36/6 Hp outboard?

The same company also sell 4->6hp kits for your engine but there's no need to buy from the US when you can buy directly from China via ebay. You just need to get a 6hp carb and optionally a new prop to take advantage of the extra power. Be sure to read the reviews.
www.readysetboat.com
www.ebay.co.uk

[Yabadabadoo]

Originally Posted by Limecc

I uprated my 3.5 Tohatsu to 5hp with a Chinese carb as detailed in this thread: https://www.rib.net/forum/f36/6 Hp outboard?

The same company also sell 4->6hp kits for your engine but there's no need to buy from the US when you can buy directly from China via ebay. You just need to get a 6hp carb and optionally a new prop to take advantage of the extra power. Be sure to read the reviews.
www.readysetboat.com
www.ebay.co.uk

I'm pretty sure I read that post thank you for the links etc.

I'm repairing (nearly restoring) this outboard Mariner 4hp/4S) which is the engine for a 19' sailboat. There is hull speed to factor in which is not likely to exceed 5 knots.

While I think more power is a solution to most things I wonder if it's worth it in this case, perhaps with a high thrust prop and more power that might mean lower revs - quieter experience.

To avoid thread drift too much I can't find a High Thrust Chinese made prop but plenty of props 7.8 x 7 starting at £22.99 mid price £40 odd for the PolaStorm

Genuine part high thrust prop £95.00 plus postage.

Is it a given that all non genuine props will have a slightly different pitch making them less efficient?

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by Yabadabadoo

Is it a given that all non genuine props will have a slightly different pitch making them less efficient?

If the clone of the prop is same as the job they do with the carb then it should be identical pitch, identical casting.

A different pitch doesn't make it less efficient, it would behave differently that's all. It's all trial and error, no exact science. What suits one hull might be completely wrong for another.

If you have more power then keeping your former prop pitch means it will be underpropped and drive a heavier boat better. A high thrust prop will be lower pitch and probably larger diameter. Available engine power sets a limit on blade area, larger diameter, different blade shape or extra blade reduces slip. Only possible if the pitch is lowered to compensate.