Prop OOPS on Lake Oroville Debris

[ragboy]

Debris is about the worst I have ever seen. But its ALWAYS bad this time of year. I have gone 10 yrs without prop damage, even in this type of huge debris, we are talking huge logs and trees floating around. I was excited to try new swim deck, which worked great, and new board. Found a clean spot, but I hit a waterlogged log. Was just under surface. I am hoping just the prop. I could go up to 1000 rpm without vibration, then it went up from there, so limped in.

HERE are the images.

Here are a couple that show pretty well.





I am hoping just prop. What do you think? Should I just change out prop, and if vibration is gone and stuff, go for it, or take in for full inspection anyway? The thing I am worried about, is my guy is trustworthy, but with this economy, he is hurting like everyone else. The temptation to say I need more work that I really do will probably be pretty darn high.

Also, Bill Weeks from ACME had told me that this prop would be great for my boat with the heavy wakesurfing, take down 1.5 mph on speed, but much better with all that weight.

Any thoughts?

http://www.wakeside.com/product/boat...e+propeller.do

[ragboy]

Couple more of the shaft, and damage.

[lakebum]

everyone should have a spare prop so if were me I would change props and go from there.

[jwanck11]

Do Hope it is just the prop!!!

[yellow3]

Those props are fairly easy to bend for a reason, to absorb all the impact before the driveline takes on any. I barely nicked a sand bar and a stump right after launch and it every so slightly bent the prop, swapped it out and good as new.

[raythompson]

Prop Damage

I have done much more severe damage to a prop and the rest of the components were fine. The prop is relatively soft to absorb the impact and localize the damage. That shaft is stainless steel and will not bend or damage easily. What you did to the prop is minor. I had a friend hit a fish and did that much damage to the prop.

Change out the prop and be happy. That prop is easily fixed by any competent prop shop.

[Jason B]

It doesn't look like the damage was terrible. Given the (realtively) minimal damage to the prop I would swith it out and see if you're vibration free. It will cost you nothing and you'll be able to tell if you need a realignment or not.

just my

[ragboy]

Thanks, makes me feel better. The reason I didn't have an extra prop, is because I was going to get a different one, but was waiting til my STEP project was done.

[noworries]

I'd get the prop fixed and try it. You could also loosen the coupler and check the prop shaft alignment while the prop's at the shop. Naw, just fix the prop and go from there.

[da.bell]

Ya, I've damaged a prop or two in my time

That doesnt' look like a huge "dent" but again, it doesn't take much either.

[larryueckert]

the debree i hit in oroville butterflyed my prop took it to capital water sports he charged me 250.00 for a new on a lot better than 400.00

[Domsz06]

like everyone else said, I have done worse damage on mine. I now have two, but I bet it's not anything more then the prop

[Tequilasun]

I've seen the vanes completely sheared off the hub with no driveline damage. You'll be fine.

[dogbert]

That happened to me and it wedged between the prop and the rudder. Bent the prop. It also bent the rudder one way and the strut the other...needless to say my shaft was toast, too. Prop was fixable.

I'd check the boat out of the water. If your shaft is aligned with your rudder, then I'd say you're in pretty good shape. I'd still have the alignment checked just to be sure.

[ragboy]

Thanks for all the info, prop is on the way.