minor prop damage over the weekend - can you guys take a look?

[brucemac]

Annual houseboat trip. Ended up feeling some very minor vibration towards the end of the trip. Pulled the boat and sure enough couple dings in the prop. Never actually felt an impact or anything that would have caused concern. In fact was somewhat relieved when we pulled her out and I examined the prop to find the damage. When we got home last night after ~5 hour drive, I spun the prop with my fingers and it moves fairly easily like it normally does, but there's one small spot in the rotation you can hear a faint squeak. Also if I try to spin in reverse it gets worse and then eventually goes away, especially if I spin it quickly. I'm unable to see any visible damage to the strut or the shaft, but I know it can be hard to see. Was going to put on our spare prop and take her out later this week, but curious as to your thoughts. I would think it would take a sizeable object and or high speed to damage the rest of the running gear. Thoughts? Waiting for the video to upload to Google Photos and I will share the link...

[brucemac]

Here's a link to the video...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tFZKepih7tUhTUyP9

[skydyvyr]

Bruce,

From the video, it seems that it is turning well in reverse, and the binding squeal in your video happens when you turn the prop forward. I am not an expert on what might be causing that, but I’d guess the sound is in the cutlass bearing. I’ve taken much worse damage than that to a prop with no damage to the shaft or bearing, and I knew the moment I hit something. The brass prop is designed to be sacrificial so that something more expensive in the drivetrain doesn’t get broken in a prop strike.

I’d be shocked if the minor strike that damaged your prop damaged something else too, but maybe if that bearing is on its way out, the strike just highlighted it for you. —OR— maybe that noise is nothing to be concerned about, I don’t really know. If I heard it on my boat, I’d be asking here too.

—Sky

[waterlogged882]

No water on the cutlass bearing, thus the noise. Normal.

Get the prop repaired, water test, back in business.

.

[brucemac]

Thanks fellas. Was planning on repropping, so will hit up OJ this week and pop the stock prop on in the meantime. If memory serves, I think Eric has discounted prop repair with the purchase of new. Thought I recalled hearing something like that anyway.

[snork]

Thanks fellas. Was planning on repropping, so will hit up OJ this week and pop the stock prop on in the meantime. If memory serves, I think Eric has discounted prop repair with the purchase of new. Thought I recalled hearing something like that anyway.

free repair with new prop purchase

[brucemac]

free repair with new prop purchase

Thanks, new prop will be here Friday. OJ rocks.

[PipeDream]

Have a 2017 XT23 with 4 prong prop 15x15 Wakepro 10/16 I am going to order a spare prop but wondering if any recommendations for a change ? not sure prop will change the wake so looking for feedback.