Prop choice

[acabedo]

I have just discovered a bent blade on one of my propellers which I am hoping to try to bend back (aluminium), if this doesn't work ((and I suspect it won't!), I'll need new ones. When these were put on (the ones that it came with when I imported it from America sheared off) I was told by the mechanic that they weren't the absolute right ones but that they would do! How can I figure out what I should replace them with?
I have a Pacemaker Wahoo, fibreglass centre console, a Volvo Penta TAMD40, and a Volvo duoprop leg (DP-DI). The boat is 26' x 9', weighs 3 tons. Any help/advice/comments gratefully received!

Adrian

 

[cjrvernon]

send it to steel developments they repaired my aliminium prop and did a great job
without daft prices usally a week turn around web site is below

www.steeldevelopments.co.uk

 

[BrendanS]

There are several sites on the internet where you can input details of boat and get a recommendation, but as a first course, talk to the guys at steel developments (even though you are in gib) and tell them what you have, and they might not only fix your props, but re-engineer them into correct pitch and size. They have an excellent reputation here which hasn't been built up here for nothing.

Trying to fix them yourself without the correct tools to balance etc is almost doomed to failure except as a short term fix

 

[acabedo]

Thanks guys, I'll contact them asap!! Not much available around here!

 

[Roy]

My volvo manual (parts) has every prop and drive system and all the speeds and revs etc. Its on my boat so cant quote you, but volvo obviously will know and Stl Dev. will too. Just had my duos back from SD as well and it took 10 days from posting until back : £102 includes carriage, two tins paint and two rebuilds due to a nasty chain that I ran over last year. New ally set costs from £430 - £500 with StSteel around £1000 a pair.

 

[Dave_Snelson]

I agree with Roy - Steel Developments are a) the company to go with because b) they give sound advice.

Think carefully about SS props though. They do perform and look better (not sure why looks are important, but apparently so!) and they are able to take more pain - and that's the down side. If you ding a stainless prop, the prop may not bend, but your drive shaft wil. Then you will be into BIG bucks!!

My opinion (for what its worth) is to stick with aluminium.

 

[BarryH]

With respect the old wives tale about ss props transmitting shocks to the shaft is just that, an old wives tale. SS props like Ali have a bush in the hub designed to protect the drive train. I've grounded ss props at high rev's on outboards we've had in the past. Prop/hub bush knackered, drive/gearbox fine.

 

[Dave_Snelson]

To be honest Barry, I have never damaged a drive shaft myself, but two respected surveyors that I know well enough have said that they have done insurance claims as a result of the props striking a hard object (submerged rock) and the resultant damage was a twisted, rather than broken, drive shaft.