Dinged my propeller

[Hpd]

Hey all, I dinged my propeller and looking to replace it. It’s a mercury black max 10.25 x 14.

They look to be about £200 but there are non OEM versions for closer to £100 according to google.

I have zero experience in this so thought I’d ask what you guys tend to go for?

Thanks

[Steve509926]

I've had two Polastorm props, one on a 9.8 Tohatsu and the other on a 20hp Merc. Both props perform very well.
I tested the 7.5p Polastorm against a 7.5p OEM, if there was a difference I couldn't tell.

[spartacus]

You tend to get what you pay for with propellers, especially with OEM v pattern parts.

There’s Steel Developments who I’ve used before which are fairly cost effective. My only criticism was the repaired blade was thin (alloy wise) on the business edge.
https://www.steeldevelopments.net/co...repair-service

[willk]

Originally Posted by Hpd

Hey all, I dinged my propeller and looking to replace it.

They say that if you haven't gone aground, you haven't been around!

Without taking anything away from Steve's advice, I'd ask how bad the 'ding' is? A photo will help here but if the blades are attached and intact, then you have the option of a re-con job from the likes of Steel Developments. They'll likely charge you the price of an aftermarket prop, but it will be precisely the same after the recon and will perform the same. The question I suppose is did it perform well beforehand? They also sell recon units without returns, so might have your unit available for reasonable money.

Other available props will be similar, but if your rig is borderline in some respect, a slight change MIGHT manifest in a bigger change than you would welcome. Just more food for thought....

[willk]

Originally Posted by spartacus

There’s Steel Developments who I’ve used before which are fairly cost effective. My only criticism was the repaired blade was thin (alloy wise) on the business edge.

Lulz, I shoulda writ wot i wrote faster.

My experience with them was for a stainless job that turned out very well.

[beamishken]

Streamline propellers also do a good job of repairing props, a bit cheaper than steel developments worth comparing anyway theres also castle marine who do repairs too

[Roflhat]

Worth checking ebay, get good deals on there. I've got a couple stainless ones that would fit your engine too

[Hpd]

Thanks for the info and suggestions. I think I’ll weigh up a repair versus a new oem one. It’s not too badly dinged but it’s enough to need repairing!

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Hpd

Thanks for the info and suggestions. I think I’ll weigh up a repair versus a new oem one. It’s not too badly dinged but it’s enough to need repairing!

or both, a repair and a spare.

[Fenlander]

>>>It’s not too badly dinged

If it really is a small amount with the prop off a round ended hammer against a wooden block to get the profile back can make a good job, never file any away though.

Folks could advise better with a photo.

[smallribber]

Yup a photo would be most helpful

[jonp]

I have so many spare props these days simply because they are hard to sell secondhand and I would rather keep a few to swap around given most of my boats tend to have the same sort of power and with engines using a 15 spline shaft. The difference between aluminium and stainless on engines under 115 makes very little difference and often aluminium has some added benefits over stainless steel such as easier on the gearbox, less likely to destroy the gearbox if you hit something and so much cheaper to replace.

With my current outboard the difference I get between a stainless mercury x7, solas stainless, Yam aluminium, Suzuki aluminium, powertec stainless is very small, with just 2-3km difference at top end 6000rpm. Obviously the aluminium props are less clunky while engaging gears and the fuel economy difference between all of them is marginal.

Personally I would either try straightening the prop myself which Ive done in the past pretty well and keep that as a spare and buy a new prop the same as you have if it performs within the upper recommended rpm range for your engine. If you weren't reaching the correct max rpm, now is your chance to get a new prop with the correct pitch. I would stick with a mercury prop over cheaper brands, mercury are very good in making props and the alloys used in them.

[Hpd]

Awesome again thanks for the replies, much appreciated. I’m not near the boat for a while and didn’t manage to take a photo. I’m better informed now though cheers all. Going for a replacement and either a DIY repair or proper repair so now I have a backup prop ����

[Steve509926]

If you are unsure of how well your original prop is matched to your OB and Rib setup, I would repair your current prop first, before buying a new prop. I'd then run some tests with your OE prop to see what RPM your outboard is achieving at WOT and purchase your new prop accordingly.