Prop storage?

Loneranger

Loneranger

Well-Known Member
May 2, 2008
1,068
Knoxville TN
Boat Info
2000 SeaRay Sundancer 270
Engines
7.4l Mercruiser w/ Bravo III
Two questions:

1) How many people keep a spare prop on board?

2) For those that do keep a spare prop on board, how do you store it? I have seen cases and stands that bolt to the boat that the prop slips over. Thoughts on pros/cons of these approaches.

I have spare props and realized the other day that they really do not do me much good dockside, so I thought I would stash them on the boat (I keep the prop wrench on the boat after all).

Thanks
John
 
I don't have spare props, but also thought about it. I would pick one of the floor storage lockers in the cabin (those that you don't use much since it's not very convenient to get to). I store my spare anchor like that and make sure it's secured in place. One tool you'll need to add is the prop puller. Otherwise, how will you get the old prop off?
 
The older spare props are in the boxes that the new ones came in, and wedged into a storage space under the forward berth. However, I don't care for the weight distribution, so I am planning to relocate them to the compartment under the cabin floorboard. I just need to devise a way to prevent them from damaging the sump pump down there.
 
So has anyone used a bolt down stand like this:

http://www.boatownerswarehouse.com/browse.cfm/4,26971.html

I have not used a prop puller. I must admit I have not yet removed the props from the bravo 3 yet, but on the cobalt duoprop I have changed them out many times and have always been able to remove everything without a specific prop puller.

How does the prop puller assist in removing the props?

John
 
Keep 2 spares on the bolt, a prop puller, block of wood to hold the prop while removing and a socket for the nut.
 
I keep a set of spares on board but I do not keep a puller on board. I also keep a spare set of bolts and pins.

On most inboards, heck all inboards, if you don't have scuba gear on board, you have to pull the boat to change out the props anyway. Even with scuba gear, it's not always easy and I personally wouldn't even try it.

Since I'd have to pull the boat to change out the props, I'd just have the yard that pulled the boat swap out the props.

I carry the spares for convenience and effeciency. If I ding a prop on a Saturday during a week long trip, I don't want to have to wait till Monday for a prop shop to open and then hope that they can either fix the dinged prop or have a set of 'matched' props in stock that fit my boat. I was able to shop for my spares in advance and I got the best price, plus I had them prop scanned to my specs.

Just having a set of props to limp home will cost you a haul out twice....having a set of 'permanent' spares on board will save you hauling out twice....and let you enjoy the rest of your trip.
 
I added a puller after we grounded recently. We past a place limping home that could have pulled us immediately but they did not have a puller for inboards.
 
We keep a set of spares at our home. If we go to the North Channel where there are lots of places you can ding a prop, we carry them in their boxes in the aft bilge of the boat. There is no point carrying around that much extra weight when the odds of needing them are low, and if the need should develop, they can be easily retreived. We do not own an extra shaft because these are readily available and can be overnighted even to remote areas of the North Channel in Canada. Getting a new set of props is not so easy. It takes 6-8 weeks to have a new set made for our boat.
 
osd9 said:
I keep a set of spares on board but I do not keep a puller on board. I also keep a spare set of bolts and pins.

On most inboards, heck all inboards, if you don't have scuba gear on board, you have to pull the boat to change out the props anyway. Even with scuba gear, it's not always easy and I personally wouldn't even try it.

Since I'd have to pull the boat to change out the props, I'd just have the yard that pulled the boat swap out the props.

I carry the spares for convenience and effeciency. If I ding a prop on a Saturday during a week long trip, I don't want to have to wait till Monday for a prop shop to open and then hope that they can either fix the dinged prop or have a set of 'matched' props in stock that fit my boat. I was able to shop for my spares in advance and I got the best price, plus I had them prop scanned to my specs.

Just having a set of props to limp home will cost you a haul out twice....having a set of 'permanent' spares on board will save you hauling out twice....and let you enjoy the rest of your trip.
Click to expand...

Dominic,
As usual, very good point, but kind of expensive one. It's not easy to have a spare for all cases, but more you have the less painfull the recovery process is.
 
I also don't Always carry my spares. They are in a long low plastic tupperware tub in my shed. When we leave our house for an overnighter, and will be away for a few days, they fit in one of the cabin floor holds. Our normal 'day cruising' is close enough to our house to go get the spares if I need them locally.
 
Alex. I bought my current spares from a MarineMax in Florida on ebay. They were brand new hytorq nibrals. New, they are ~$1600 each. Including shipping, I paid $1400 for BOTH props. If I were on a trip and 'needed' props, I'd be forced to buy new....and maybe have to wait and leave the boat in a marina paying storage charges.

It's more of an insurance policy and peace of mind.

I've had spare props for every inboard boat I've owned.
 
Gents,
No puller is necessary for an outdrive. The wheels are not on a taper and will pull off by hand.
Enjoy,
Mark.
 
Well that explains why I have never needed a prop puller. Both of my boats have I/O sterndrives, and I can pull them off by hand at least on the Cobalt. I have changed over the Cobalt props in waist deep water on at least one occasion.

Looks like most people keep the spares in a case or tub. I have a tub mounted in the bilge with a spare quart of oil, hydraulic fluid, etc. I need to see if the props will fit in there.

Thanks
John
 
osd9 said:
Alex. I bought my current spares from a MarineMax in Florida on ebay. They were brand new hytorq nibrals. New, they are ~$1600 each. Including shipping, I paid $1400 for BOTH props. If I were on a trip and 'needed' props, I'd be forced to buy new....and maybe have to wait and leave the boat in a marina paying storage charges.

It's more of an insurance policy and peace of mind.

I've had spare props for every inboard boat I've owned.
Click to expand...

Dom,
I totally on board that this is the way to go. I'm sure I'll buld up similar strategy after I get admiral to cruise more on longer trips. We're still at the beginning stage of what I call a 'real cruising'. The biggest improvement this season was to get her comfortable to be in the open ocean couple miles from shore on the way back from AC trip. I took open all the way from AC to BLI. As we expand our cruising destinations my list of spares on board will grow respectivelly. But, for now I rather spend $1400 on a bigger dinghy, although our small 6.5' works great so far.

Alex.
 
On my 260, I would carry a spare BIII front prop and a prop wrench when I travelled a good distance, but normally no, because the 260 did not have the extra space.
 
sb in gp said:
On my 260, I would carry a spare BIII front prop and a prop wrench when I travelled a good distance, but normally no, because the 260 did not have the extra space.
Click to expand...

Now that the 260 is gone, I have a set of Bravo III props and a "proper thing" prop wrench, if anyone needs spares and wants to make me an offer. Otherwise, I'll e-bay.
 
sb in gp said:
Now that the 260 is gone, I have a set of Bravo III props and a "proper thing" prop wrench, if anyone needs spares and wants to make me an offer. Otherwise, I'll e-bay.
Click to expand...
What pitch?
 
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