Which prop maker?

[Solent Sailor]

I'm replacing my twin 24" props to my 48ft motorboat this year, and have a choice between several manufacturers. Quotes were interesting reading - almost double the cost from most expensive to cheapest, and not necessarily from who you might expect!

I think the choice is between Norris and Clements. Naturally enough, the cheaper of the two will take longer to manufacture, which could have a knock-on effect on our spring refit plans and overall cost.

Are the any benefits to one over the other (one manufactured the original items many years ago), or is a prop from either of these high regarded outfits, simply a prop and am I overthinking it?

 

[Farmer Piles]

Try these guys as well. They have been making and refurbing props of all shapes and sizes forever.
Teignbridge Propellers - Teignbridge Propellers

 

[Solent Sailor]

Try these guys as well. They have been making and refurbing props of all shapes and sizes forever.
Teignbridge Propellers - Teignbridge Propellers

Thanks - I also have a quote from them (and several others) but due to price or lead time, they are unsuitable. Just grateful for any comments on those two.

 

[Tranona]

Check the actual alloy they use. This could account for the difference (or some of it).

 

[Solent Sailor]

Check the actual alloy they use. This could account for the difference (or some of it).

Thank - no, all the same. Apart from Hamble Propellers who quoted for two alloys, and even the cheaper (non-UK smelted) alloy cost more than everyone else's UK manufactured aluminum bronze alloy! That was a bit of a surprise given I'd heard good things about them.

 

[oldgit]

Outboard Marine Propellers | Michigan Match, Vortex, Apollo, Ballistic
This lot offered the best prices by far a few years ago for a pair of 20" 4 bladed props

Several companies can work miracles if there is enough of the old props to work with.
If your props are not a standard pitch and perhaps with an odd taper, a refurbish means no long wait for blanks to be ordered in , blade pitch altered and tapers to be cut.


This lot tend towards commercial stuff, have seen some horrific stuff in there from when Thames clippers have been chopping up stuff in the Thames.
They have done a lot of work for me over the years.
Invicta Marine | Propulsion | Propellers | Thrusters

 

[Solent Sailor]

Thanks. Invicta have been slow to come back to me, disappointingly.

The props are beyond repair due to electrolosis (before our ownership). One is worse than the other, but I'd rather replace as a matched pair.

 

[oldgit]

Thanks. Invicta have been slow to come back to me, disappointingly.

The props are beyond repair due to electrolosis (before our ownership). One is worse than the other, but I'd rather replace as a matched pair.

Have always phoned the workshop.
Taken some pretty pink props round there that certain other companies have assured me were beyond economic repair.

 

[JOHNPEET]

Homepage - FAL Propellers

I had a great price and service from these guys when I was looking for props for my boat last year!

 

[oldgit]

Do all these prop companies buy a basic generic blank from a foundry somewhere and then modify it to suit a customers requirements

 

[Bandit]

I assume you have a production line boat with a fairly standard engine installation?

Are you replacing your props due to damage, corrosion or performance?

Who made your original props?

Clements are top of the game as a propeller manufacturer and produce a lot of the props for production line boats as well as one off's for new and old boats. If your boat is a UK production line boat there is a good chance Clements may have records by hull and engine combination for props they have manufactured.

I have always found them good to deal with for repowers.

 

[Solent Sailor]

I assume you have a production line boat with a fairly standard engine installation?

Are you replacing your props due to damage, corrosion or performance?

Hi - no, quite the opposite. I have a boat of which only 9 were built. Two prop manufacturers were used - Teignbridge made mine (hull #1) and Clements the rest.

They suffered galvanic corrosion before we owned the boat - we fitted an isolator pdq and fitted new working electro-eliminators on the shafts.

 

[Solent Sailor]

Do all these prop companies buy a basic generic blank from a foundry somewhere and then modify it to suit a customers requirements

No, I don't believe they do. Some (Norris) don't cast them themselves, but clearly have a "tame" foundry that they use and they then do the machining. Others, like Clements and Teignbridge do everything from scratch.

 

[Paul1962]

A vote for Clements from me - no affiliation

 

[Bandit]

Hi - no, quite the opposite. I have a boat of which only 9 were built. Two prop manufacturers were used - Teignbridge made mine (hull #1) and Clements the rest.

They suffered galvanic corrosion before we owned the boat - we fitted an isolator pdq and fitted new working electro-eliminators on the shafts.

I had the same on a boat of mine, I kept the old props as "get me home props" untill the new ones arrived if i lost a blade etc.

I have no connection or affiliation with Clements other than as a satisfied customer, personal and commercial. They are good.

 

[dustywings]

No, I don't believe they do. Some (Norris) don't cast them themselves, but clearly have a "tame" foundry that they use and they then do the machining. Others, like Clements and Teignbridge do everything from scratch.

I had a new prop from Teignbridge and it was a piece of art. I seem to remember a video on their website showing the whole process of producing one which was fascinating.