oops... damaged props

thamesS23

thamesS23

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Location
hertfordshire
www.spotonprint.net
Okay, it appears that we have had our first mishap today, as we pranged our prop as we were entering Bray marina (heading downstream we went pass the island and turned back on ourselves, and then just briefly the props must of caught). Afterwards could feel a vibration when the revs built up.
the boat is a sealine S23 sterndrive dual prop - a couple of questions.
1) can they be fixed & replaced without the boat having to be lifted out?
2) if so, is it a job for an expert or one that can be done ourselves.
3) if an expert required, can anyone recommend anyone?
4) any rough idea of cost?
 
Cost depends hugely on size of prop, how much damage and what the props are made of. If new blades are needed then could be £200+, if just a bent blade then maybe £40-£50.

Specialist job though, wouldn't attempt it yourself as they need balancing after repair to prevent vibration which is essential.
 
Steel Developments will recondition alloy props for something like £30 to 40 each.
you can probably remove the props after lifting the legs on their power lift - I usuall stand thigh deep in water to remove/change my propellers (working partly under water). you dont need much damage to cause vibration .. it may be quite small dink.
If you are handy you can remove them yourself.
Best kit that I have for this is a large wooden wedge which I use to wedge/hold the prop while i turn off the central retaining nut.
 
Hi, sorry to hear of you problems. I'm berthed on G pontoon, a few boats down from you. I saw you when we came back to the marina on Friday. I noticed a few large branches off the already overhanging trees have toppled into the water between the marina and queens eyot since last year and has made for careful navigation since.
 
hi there, nice of you to say hello.
Was I right to head pass queens eyot when heading downstream and then turn back upstream round the inside of the island before heading into the marina? or are you allowed to cut straight across (ie, infront of the restaurant) when entering the marina?
I'm hoping to be able to get the prop fixed before the weekend, but not sure where to start, although I have noticed that there is a marine engineer (thames marine) based in the marina, hopefully it's something they can do quickly.
 
With your boat you ought to be able to raise the legs and examine for damage while on the pontoon. I used to be able to remove a prop on my P32 from the bathing platform with care. Need to make sure any tools are lanyarded and tied on and also tie a line round a propblade securely so you dont lose it when it comes off. Take a good look at the service manual to see how it fits together.

If bathing platform makes it too difficult to reach/see find a shallow area on the bank somewhere and get into the water to take a closer look. Armpit waders are a great thing to keep on board for such events.

As far as Bray Marina is comcerned, no reason I am aware of that prevents you cutting across by the restaurant to enter the marina from upstream.
 
Its usually the done thing to enter the marina facing upstream, especially if its a strong current. But its down to yourself and your confidence and there's nothing to say you can't enter downstream and I've seen others do it.
Being shaft driven and no bow thruster I always tend to go around and enter the marina upstream for my sake, as its easier to get the boat into the marina.
Yes Thames Marine engineers are a good bunch. Went to get help regarding some engine problems I was having on Friday morning and one of them came and sorted the problem within an hour.
 
I think you will find MDL say you should go round Queens Eyot and come upstream (as you did). The advice is given in the book contained in the welcome pack, and also suggests a long blast on the horn before leaving or entering the marina, followed by 2 short blasts to warn you are turning to port.

As you have unfortunately discovered, the downstream end of Queens Eyot is VERY shallow, and it is best to stay a couple of lengths out to stay in deeper water.
 
I thought I had done the correct thing by going round the queens eyot and was convinced that I had given the island enough room before turning into it - was quickly proved wrong though.
Didn't know about blasting the horn though, will do that next time
 
You've got a 290DP outdrive same as me, you can tilt the drive up to remove the props without lifting the boat out. If you haven't taken the props off before probably best to get someone who has, its easier if you've done it before because working half under water isn't easy.
When they are off send them off yourself to Streamline Propellers , he did 2 sets for me for £90 each and did them overnight, very good service. Its surprising what he can repair, i had a inch deep by 2 inch wide chuck missing and he still repaired it by building the missing bit up with weld.
 
have spoken to Thames marine. they reckon the boat will have to be lifted out and put on the hard whilst they repair it. Guess I will have to go that route as not confident to carry out work myself.

Had a look on google earth and can see how I got caught out, as you can see the shallow ground sticks out quite far

GoogleEarth_Image.jpg
 
No tell them you want the props removed in the water, with a Duoprop tool its dead easy, you'll get charged another £200 otherwise, it does not need to come out.
 
Agree, removing the props is a 10minute job.

Its time you learnt how to do it anyway if you have an outdrive boat!!!

I was on first name terms with Steel Developments when I owned my Sealine.
 
[ QUOTE ]
have spoken to Thames marine. they reckon the boat will have to be lifted out and put on the hard whilst they repair it. Guess I will have to go that route as not confident to carry out work myself.


[/ QUOTE ]

Thought that would be the response, while it may be possible (I've never tried) to change the props in the water, if you want Thames Marine to do it for you, they will almost certainly want it in their sling first - don't want to get wet do they - rather cold the Thames you know.
 
As someone who has changed props in the water, I wouldn't do it again! It's awkward and you have to be very carefull not to drop anything! It's also quite difficult to get a good grip on things when leaning over the bathing platform.
 
It is one of the laws of boating that states that "without exception" the owner of any outdrive boat "Shall not fail to ding one or other or preferably both of his props within 60 days of owning the craft"
Failure to do so will result in something else even more expensive to fix catastrophically failing halfway through the summer season.
Get the local bloke to fix it this time and while it is out of the water have a good look at what is involved.Next time it happens(and it will) the mere thought of handing over the cash again will instantly turn you into the sort of chap fully prepared to work up to your neck in water while undoing nuts n stuff and singing a sea shanty at the same time.
I also have my wooden wedge and alan keys snuggled up to my spare set of props just awaiting the call.
A cheap set of props can probably be got second hand from ebay for not much money and if they are for low speed river work,doubt that a size up or down would be to much of a problem.
 
[ QUOTE ]
It is one of the laws of boating that states that "without exception" the owner of any outdrive boat "Shall not fail to ding one or other or preferably both of his props within 60 days of owning the craft"
Failure to do so will result in something else even more expensive to fix catastrophically failing halfway through the summer season.


[/ QUOTE ]

Or you could just save time and by a boat with the props already dinged - my last boat only had 2 1/2 blades on its prop but never had any problems with it.
 
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