Where to buy a prop?

[ajholt7]

I trashed my prop, ruined a trailer bunk, and chipped the gel coat down to the fiberglass trying to load the boat in heavy current today. Where is the cheapest place to buy a prop? I am just sick. This was only the third time I have had the boat in the water.

[dingleberry]

Both SPBFan and chpthril are ACME prop dealers and should be able to hook you up. Send a PM.

Sorry to hear about the damage.

[dogbert]

I trashed my prop, ruined a trailer bunk, and chipped the gel coat down to the fiberglass trying to load the boat in heavy current today. Where is the cheapest place to buy a prop? I am just sick. This was only the third time I have had the boat in the water.

Better check the shaft alignment...if you did that amount of damage, my guess is the strut and shaft are bent also. It might be covered under your insurance.

[da.bell]

We all have distroyed a prop at one time or another. Just be glad that you got your boat onto the trailer and you are alive.

[ajholt7]

If the strut is bent can you tell by looking? It just rolled the edges of the prop.

[da.bell]

Was that the only damage to the prop? You didn't straighten out the prop, right? If you didn't, I would say that the prop is okay. When I destroyed my prop, it was worse than that and I didn't do anything to the alignment of the prop shaft.

[ajholt7]

No I didn't straighten it. That is all it did. Should I worry about the corner or should I be alright to wait until boating season ends.

[kko]

NO DONT WAIT i would have the gel fixed ASAP. you dont need a new prop just have that one fixed.dont get to down it happens.I doubt your shaft is bent it will take more than that to bend it.Your going to be into it for a few hundred but not the end of the world.
Last month we had 2 customers jump the trailer and put the boat in the back of the truck.So see it could be worse.

[chpthril]

Who, bummer dude, sorry to here! Hope it's not as bad as it looks. I 2nd KKO, get the gel fixed asap, it may take the gel guy to coats to fill it.

[dogbert]

The way to tell if your strut/shaft is bent is look behind the boat and see if the rudder is aligned with the end of the shaft. If it's not, you bent the strut...and if you bent the strut, chances are the shaft is toast also.

You'll know soon enough when you put the fixed prop on there and you feel vibration.

[ajholt7]

Well, I just got off the phone with Boat U.S. so hopefully I can get this taken care of quickly and get back on the water. I was just going to replace the prop and wait for winter, but I am going to listen to everyones advice and get the gel fixed now. Hopefully it won't take to long.

[Carter13]

How deep did you have the trailer?
It looks like your prop tore up the bunks in the picture because of the shredding of the carpet. If so that must have been one heck of a ride.
My wife puts the trailer in with the fenders about one inch above the water. I click in and out of gear at idle unless conditions are severe approaching the trailer. If it is windy and wavy I give it a bit of throttle. When I get close I am in gear for the ability to steer until I get to the guide posts. Once my nose crosses the posts I click it out of gear and let the boat come to a rest. I then turn the motor off, jump out and hook the bow eye. I crank the boat up until it is hard to do so. I then have my wife back the trailer in the water more to float the boat and finish cranking it on.
Powering the boat on the trailer not only tears up your carpet but also puts you at risk for this kind of damage.

[ajholt7]

I believe you are right. I had the trailer way too deep. The current was also stronger than any I have ever dealt with. I can't change the past now. I just have to get it fixed and learn from this stupid mistake.

[dingleberry]

Could be a lot worse, but that's probably not much consolation to you right now.

You have probably heard it already, but getting a spare prop and puller is good insurance to help save down time when this happens again (and, just like insurance, you can be happy if you never have to use it). I managed to ding my prop twice last summer (beginner's mistakes), and have now gotten a spare. Something to think about.

[Timmy!]

Sorry to hear that your boat had a little mishap. Don't stress, it's all repairable and shouldn't cost you thousands to fix. Get it in the shop and get the gel coat repaired and then enjoy the rest of the summer!