Removing propellor ?

[TimLamb]

My neighbour in the yard (who's boat is always immaculate) takes his prop off each winter, while mine hasn't been off during the 6 years I have owned her.
Before I go back in the water would it be a good idea to take the prop off (I would need to buy the proper tool I assume) to clean and lubricate?
I'm worried that if I don't, the prop may eventually become fused/rusted to the shaft.
Thanks for any advice.
TJL

 

[AndyAndKatie]

Hi. What is the Prop connected to??, if its a saildrive on something like a Volvo, its necesary to remove the prop to change and renew the saildrive anode. Having a saildrive myself, this is a job I have done for the last two years of having my boat. If yours is on a shaft, your anodes can be changed without removal of prop, I assume, so I cant say whether prop removal is nessesary ever year.

FWIW, I would remove it, just to clean it and check it, but thats just me.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
if its a saildrive on something like a Volvo

[/ QUOTE ] Never seen a Centaur with a sail drive! so I would assume its the normal shaft arrangement.

Taking the prop off would be an unusual thing to do. Bronze prop, presumably stainless shaft no problems there. The Berwick I used to crew until the owner died has never had the prop removed since new (ca 1977)
No anodes either!

(OTOH a Cheftain in the yard that has not been moved for about as long as I can remember has had the prop removed .... stolen!)

 

[doug748]

Don't even think about it. You will have enough trouble when you need to remove it, without buggering around now.
Seriously, it is not an item that needs to be fussed with, I would leave well alone.

 

[damo]

I agree - it will almost certainly need a puller and heat to get it off now. And in my experience it will still need it after only being back on a couple of weeks. As was said - leave the hassle until you NEED to take it off.

 

[BAtoo]

Your prop will as fused to the shaft as its going to be after 6yr+ !! If its a fixed (non-folding/feathering) prop you can do all that you need with it on.
I have never managed to pull a prop off by myself -always got the yard to do it.

If its a fixed prop the main reason to remve it would be to get a folding/feathering prop!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif