You'll know when your prop needs work. There will be noticeable engine
vibration. Even a small nick will cause some vibration. But it's also
obvious by looking at it. A few frayed edges are no big deal (although they
will reduce performance.) But a chunk out if it has to be fixed. I carry a
spare prop and a socket wrench to fit it. That's on my I/O. I figure my
Humminbird depth finder has paid for itself with the savings on prop
repairs. The gentleman who talks about the prop not being removed for 2
years is quite right. The prop on my 24 hp Mercury on my small boat has
never been removed. I wanted to take it off to get it rebuilt but it won't
budge and the prop shop wanted about $100 just to remove it. They tell me
that galvanic action actually causes the prop to weld itself to the shaft.


"RG" wrote in message news:eV1Ta.13743$Bp2.207@fed1read07...

"Frank Taylor, Jr." wrote in message
...
I have an aluminum prop that came with my boat and has been on the boat
for
the past two years. The engine and the prop have about 220 hours. I
have
been fortunate enough to avoid ever running aground or dinging the prop
on
any underwater objects, thus is is in good condition and only shows
minimal
wear.

Should I still have the prop reconditioned?? Is it possible that after
enough normal use, the prop can lose shape and still be in need of
service?
I am not having any problems but I was just wondering.

Thanks in advance for any opinions.


If your prop has suffered no damage from any sort of direct impact, and
you're happy with the way your boat performs with it, then there is no
reason to recondition your prop. There's nothing wrong with the prop.
Save
your money for the next time something *really* needs done to the boat.
Better yet, use the money toward a spare prop and mounting hardware, if
you
don't already carry them on board. Congratulations on keeping an aluminum
prop in such good shape over the last two years. You've obviously been
careful, and perhaps a bit lucky.