How do I know my props need to be reconditioned?

[Shaps]

My boat has twin props on each pod. At survey last year, port made WOT as per manufacturers spec and stbd was off by 10rpm. The boat now has 355 hrs on it
I put 100 hrs on it this season. I do have a ding on 1 blade of 1 of the stbd props (i definitely did it)
I have no idea if the props were ever done before or if they need to be done now, other than repairing the one with a small ding. How do I know?

What should it cost per prop assuming no repair?

Thanks!
Shaps

 

[Blueone]

My boat has twin props on each pod. At survey last year, port made WOT as per manufacturers spec and stbd was off by 10rpm. The boat now has 355 hrs on it
I put 100 hrs on it this season. I do have a ding on 1 blade of 1 of the stbd props (i definitely did it)
I have no idea if the props were ever done before or if they need to be done now, other than repairing the one with a small ding. How do I know?

What should it cost per prop assuming no repair?

Thanks!
Shaps

At a minimum get them scanned. Call your local guy and get an estimate for the scanning. He wont be able to estimate the repair with out scanning. You want to do it anyway for piece of mind

 

[Shaps]

At a minimum get them scanned. Call your local guy and get an estimate for the scanning. He wont be able to estimate the repair with out scanning. You want to do it anyway for piece of mind

Thanks @Blueone Will do

 

[sbw1]

All props, even new ones, are seldom as good as they can be. Scanning and repair will allow the tuner to correct the small imperfections, achieve a specified WOT and probably improve your top speed. Efficiency will also improve and you may see reduced fuel consumption. Nibral props hold their tune for quite a while unless you hit something.

 

[Shaps]

Thanks @sbw1

shop #1 that is relatively nearby does a "check, balance and clean" for $280 per prop and full reconditioning for $465 per prop

Any opinion?

according to mercury website, my props are "Made with a proprietary blend of 15-5 stainless steel alloy for strength and durability"

 

[KevinC]

Thanks @sbw1

shop #1 that is relatively nearby does a "check, balance and clean" for $280 per prop and full reconditioning for $465 per prop

Any opinion?

according to mercury website, my props are "Made with a proprietary blend of 15-5 stainless steel alloy for strength and durability"

I have used B&S and can highly recommend them: https://www.bosslerandsweezey.com/

-Kevin

 

[Shaps]

I have used B&S and can highly recommend them: https://www.bosslerandsweezey.com/

-Kevin

tks @KevinC
that is indeed shop #1

 

[b_arrington]

View attachment 95018
All props, even new ones, are seldom as good as they can be. Scanning and repair will allow the tuner to correct the small imperfections, achieve a specified WOT and probably improve your top speed. Efficiency will also improve and you may see reduced fuel consumption. Nibral props hold their tune for quite a while unless you hit something.

I'm wondering how common it is for new boats, especially larger ones, to come with certified scan specs for their props?

My last boat had a Nibral 24" X 31.5" prop from Acme Propeller. It came with a certificate that it had been scanned listed all the values. It also included 1 free reconditioning service to check the prop and get it back to original specs. It seems to me that initial scan is pretty valuable as a reference point when the proper eventually needs to get tuned, as well as if any modifications are need to adjust performance such as engine load / fuel burn profile.

 

[sbw1]

Thanks @sbw1

shop #1 that is relatively nearby does a "check, balance and clean" for $280 per prop and full reconditioning for $465 per prop

Any opinion?

according to mercury website, my props are "Made with a proprietary blend of 15-5 stainless steel alloy for strength and durability"

I was initially not sold on Prop Scanning because I always bought new boats and they ran great. However, I decided on a whim to have my props scanned and tuned about 15 years ago and was surprised how my speed improved at my standard cruise. It increased about 1.5 knots, not a huge change but better. This was for a brand new boat. I also bought a set of spares from Tiara with the new boat. Had those scanned and they were out of spec brand new out of the box from Michigan Wheel. They were off by just a little bit, but could be better. I had those tuned and used them years latter after hitting an unmarked fishing net offshore. The replacement props performed just as the originals did. I then had the old props scanned and redone for later use. Fortunately they were never needed. So yes. I think you should go ahead with the work. I can't comment on the price or quality of the service for the vendor who quoted your job. He may be very good. I just don't know enough about your market to comment. You should receive a detailed report of the condition of your props after the initial scan and then a comparison of their condition following the work. The tolerances are surprisingly precise.

 

[Shaps]

Thanks @sbw1

@KevinC do you happen to know if B&S give a detailed report once the work is complete?

 

[Shaps]

Has anyone ever used

Precision Propeller Repair
https://www.precision-props.com/

For my 3 blade props, their scan & clean is $160 and full recond is $245
For my 4 blade props, their scan & clean is $185 and full recond is $285

BIG DIFFERENCE

 

[The Bill Collector]

Has anyone ever used

Precision Propeller Repair
https://www.precision-props.com/

For my 3 blade props, their scan & clean is $160 and full recond is $245
For my 4 blade props, their scan & clean is $185 and full recond is $285

BIG DIFFERENCE

Wow, I haven't seen that price point in 10 years...
And every time my boat is on the hard my props are in the shop. Last spring was the first time for a scan & clean only @ $200 apiece, every other time it's been full recondition now up to $500 per.

 

[Shaps]

Wow, I haven't seen that price point in 10 years...
And every time my boat is on the hard my props are in the shop. Last spring was the first time for a scan & clean only @ $200 apiece, every other time it's been full recondition now up to $500 per.

I'll bet you could probably ship them to NY and be ahead of the game

And they confirmed I will get a full report on each prop after their service.

I found them via
https://www.truepropsoftware.com/shops.html

 

[KevinC]

Thanks @sbw1

@KevinC do you happen to know if B&S give a detailed report once the work is complete?

I am pretty sure that they will - although the last time I used them was a while ago. I would just give them a call they are usually quite helpful. Fortunately the last time I used them was on my 260DA - sent out my B3 props had the cupping changed and they came back like new. I had my props done when I purchased my 340SDA but they sent them over to Johnson in Freeport (I did not deal with them M/M did) and have not had a problem or reason to send them out again.

-Kevin

 

[JVM225]

I have used B&S and can highly recommend them: https://www.bosslerandsweezey.com/

-Kevin

That’s who I use too. They are great!

 

[Skybolt]

I can also attest the B&S are fantastic, if you have an issue they will find it and fix it right. I had them recondition my shafts when I first got my boat and there were like new at a fraction of the cost. Got rid of the slight wobble and runs smooth as silk. Tom really takes his time to check things out right. Good Luck.