Balancing props

[Docs Holiday]

Have had several prop vs. obatacles contacts lately. Is there any need to have both props rebalanced if you are sure you only struck one prop?

 

[Boatsb]

Like chicken soup. You may not be able to prove it helps but it seems to so do it. Usually if the boats out its no big deal to check them both.

 

[rsmith]

Will it pay to have the boat hauled a second time if your wrong?

 

[Boatnut]

Like chicken soup. You may not be able to prove it helps but it seems to so do it. Usually if the boats out its no big deal to check them both.

How about having a diver remove and reinstall the prop?

 

[GJH]

The issue is, you want them both to be the same. So pull them both and have a good shop scan them and make them the same. If the boat is out of the water, might as well have the shafts tested for trueness and cracks as well. I recently went through the process while the boat was out for Irene; I just had a little ding in one prop but when I had them scanned, the other one needed a little tweaking too. You have the shafts checked because you don't know if the ding (or past dings) had other repercussions.

All part of being one of those owners they advertise as having "had an open checkbook".

 

[Docs Holiday]

Points well made. The cost of a quick haul and prop change has been running around $400 a diver is cheaper at $ 100/ hour but I wonder if he can get "never cease" on the shafts underwater (to make it easier to get them off next time!) The cost of balancing the props has been running around $400 per prop. I guess the least expensive thing would be to smarten up and quit hitting things but it appears I have been a slow learner, so far!

 

[Walter P]

Over the last 50 years I (like most boaters) have whacked a prop or two and have had some changed out by divers and others with a haul out. I think a haul out is far better but much more time consuming and costly. My policy is that if I experience the misfortune of hitting anything during a trip, I would probably employ a diver for a quick change out to one of the spares. When I get to my destination or to a good yard and have the time, I will then have the damaged prop/props redone and the boat hauled.

One of the benefits of the high cost of diesel is that most of us now run at displacement speeds for the most part. In the rare event that we miscalculate (read..screw up) and hit a prop, the damage is generally minor. If you seem to be attracted to objects to hit, perhaps you may want to buy a forward scanning sonar. Like it was stated in another post, "it's like Chicken soup, it may not help but it won't hurt you". Seriously don't beat yourself up about it, sometimes folks hit things that are not charted and the water is plenty deep, then again some cruise ship skippers like to live dangerously and tempt fate.

Walt

 

[madhatter1]

The props are the most important piece of the fuel economy and performance puzzle. Unless they are perfect in respect to condition and proper size/pitch/cup for the given vessel everything else done to solve issues is a waste of time. Kind of like checking your car/truck engine for issues while the emergency brake is dragging. IMO for all that goes into the care of the boat the prop thing is a no brainer and it will pay to have both in perfect condition (until the next hit). Wonder which sand bar I'm gonna peel my Propspeed off on this year?

 

[saltshaker]

I would send them both out. A good prop shop won't charge you much if there is nothing wrong with the other wheel. As said by others, it's important to have a matched set of props. Even if there is nothing wrong with the other wheel, the prop shop needs to see exactly how it's set up to match the bad wheel. I send mine out every few years just to make sure they are tuned properly. Props can get out of tune without you realizing it. When I sold my 46C the props were due to go out. The new owner did them the next season and the boat performed a little better. It's all part of routine maintenance.

 

[Regal2800]

Not to go too far off topic, if there are no signs of damage, dings etc is there a need to get the props "checked"? does a prop lose its shape over time which requires retuning? I have 2 props on y 52'c which look to be in perfect condition. no pitting, dings, bents, cracks etc. i called the local prop shop and they wanted like $250 per prop just to put them on their machines, depending on what they fid additional fees.

 

[saltshaker]

Not to go too far off topic, if there are no signs of damage, dings etc is there a need to get the props "checked"? does a prop lose its shape over time which requires retuning? I have 2 props on y 52'c which look to be in perfect condition. no pitting, dings, bents, cracks etc. i called the local prop shop and they wanted like $250 per prop just to put them on their machines, depending on what they fid additional fees.

Props definitely can loose shape over time and need to be tuned.The blades tend to flatten out and the tips can wear thin if you run in shallow water with a sandy bottom. Bronze props are more susceptible to this than NiBral. If your performance is where it should be and you don't have any vibration, then leave them alone. $500 just to check them sounds steep. Most shops with computer scanning equipment don't charge for the scan, only the work they perform. A good prop shop is a valuable resource. How your props are tuned will make a huge difference in performance.