Hornblower
Member
- Aug 28, 2009
- 108
- Boat Info
- Boatless
- Engines
- None
While cleaning my two Bravo III props yesterday I found a 3/4" crack on the trailing edge of one of them. So this morning I brought them to Bossler and Sweezey a prop reconditioning outfit in Bellport NY that was recommended by my mechanics Joe and Charlie of Southwest Marine (East Moriches NY).
For the heck of it I brought in both props and don't you know the proprietor Phil found two other smaller cracks, and one of them was on the prop I though was fine; I think I subconsciously overlooked them.
Phil put the props on the table to check blade height and brought me in the back to see what he found. On each prop, no two prop blades had a height that was the same as the other. The prop with the 3/4" crack was the worse and no question needed work.
Phil says he will weld the cracks and fill in a small casting defect hole for "free" and charge me $300 to straighten out the two props. Bessler and Sweezy has been a round since 1960 and their reputation seems important to them, and coming recommended I believe I'm in good hands.
Phil and one of his technicians told me that Mercury's castings were a bit more brittle years ago ('04 included), says the casts are softer these days. They also say that props they gets straight from Mercury are often off a bit but are what Mercury says is within tolerance. Something to keep in mind when buying new.
I like the idea of starting out my first full season on our Sundancer with the props where they should be. I'll be sure to baseline WOT RPMS, Speed over ground and fuel consumption.
In any event I thought I was going to get a simple weld repair and when I realized it was going to be more than that, I would've liked to have looked over my shoulder and asked "hey my CSR friends, what do you think?"
Anyone have similar prop work done or cracks repaired, if so how did it turn out?
I should have the props back within two weeks, I'll let you know how I make out too.
Thanks,
For the heck of it I brought in both props and don't you know the proprietor Phil found two other smaller cracks, and one of them was on the prop I though was fine; I think I subconsciously overlooked them.
Phil put the props on the table to check blade height and brought me in the back to see what he found. On each prop, no two prop blades had a height that was the same as the other. The prop with the 3/4" crack was the worse and no question needed work.
Phil says he will weld the cracks and fill in a small casting defect hole for "free" and charge me $300 to straighten out the two props. Bessler and Sweezy has been a round since 1960 and their reputation seems important to them, and coming recommended I believe I'm in good hands.
Phil and one of his technicians told me that Mercury's castings were a bit more brittle years ago ('04 included), says the casts are softer these days. They also say that props they gets straight from Mercury are often off a bit but are what Mercury says is within tolerance. Something to keep in mind when buying new.
I like the idea of starting out my first full season on our Sundancer with the props where they should be. I'll be sure to baseline WOT RPMS, Speed over ground and fuel consumption.
In any event I thought I was going to get a simple weld repair and when I realized it was going to be more than that, I would've liked to have looked over my shoulder and asked "hey my CSR friends, what do you think?"
Anyone have similar prop work done or cracks repaired, if so how did it turn out?
I should have the props back within two weeks, I'll let you know how I make out too.
Thanks,
