When should you fix/replace a prop?

[Tigenator]

So I damaged a prop last year, and bought a new one, meant to send out the old one to get refurbished over the winter but life got in the way. Just went out the other day and afterwards cleaned off the seaweed from the prop when I got back in. Sliced my finger on the edge of the prop from a very small curl, checked and another blade has one as well. I went out after and thought I had a vibration but messed around and I can't really detect one, what I mean to say is that once I start listening or "feeling" for one I get paranoid so that every hum or tremor is a problem. On the old prop I damaged it was clearly damaged and vibrated horribly. My question is what should I actually be worried about (without playing mind games on myself)?

[lee]

Repair old prop and install when it comes back.

[Jetdriver]

Anything that noticeably deforms even a small area of the prop cup can cause vibration and eventual damage. Basically if it's bigger than a nick it should be fixed or at minimum hammered back into line with the rest of the props curve. That's how I roll anyhow.

[Wakeman22]

I have hammered and worked out small dings and slight bends. This is not too hard to DIY. However if it is more than that or the blade seems twisted it's time to go to the repair shop. I always have a back up to go with.

[ericinmich]

These props are different that the old I/O props that I grew up with. They have different pitches/angles as going out and the rebuild shops match the pitch at steps going out from the hub. I've run a bent I/O prop by a little of channel lock work. I'd never do that with one of these, too much at stake...

[lancehon]

When my boat got beached in a storm the prop got wrecked, the shop had it repaired and not replaced. It's never been the same. I know lots of people repair them though and have good results.

[TigeFamily]

You should always have a spare for back up anyway...but even being a fraction off at repair can cause a big difference. Nettle Props in Austin, TX repaired a prop for me that was in pretty bad shap (previous owner hit gravel bar) and when I received it back after repair, looked brand new. I put it on about a month ago and it operates perfectly too.

[Tigenator]

Anything that noticeably deforms even a small area of the prop cup can cause vibration and eventual damage. Basically if it's bigger than a nick it should be fixed or at minimum hammered back into line with the rest of the props curve. That's how I roll anyhow.

It's just two small nicks.