Well I am feeling a lot better about things from all your advice. I
also went to see my Mercury service shop today and he talked me into
sticking with the aluminum, so I ended up buying the same prop that I
had..setting me back about $300cdn. His argument was that if i had
done the same thing with a stainless prop, i would likely be paying him
a ton more to check the leg and possibly more due to the shock since
they have little give when they hit something.

He also confirmed that I should not worry about a small bend in the
bottom fin of the leg (can't remember the name he used for it) unless I
was having steering problems.

Thanks again everyone!


Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
On 21 Aug 2006 10:14:44 -0700, "Mike T" wrote:

Thanks for the advice guys...I have memorized the lake charts, but they
failed to include the massive boulders on the bottom in this spot...and
I had just turned my depth sounder on as I was coming into this area
that was new to me, but it was just a second too late. Water is really
low this year, so it is not normally a dangerous area.

It's always a good idea to scope out the area slowly anyway. There
are areas of a local lake I've fished for over 30 years that I
recently discovered are a hell of a lot shallower that I first
thought. :)

The prop I am using right now is a borrowed stainless 4 blade 21P
(previous was 2 blade with 23P) and I think I am in love...sure notice
the power difference and it has made me want an SS prop, other than the
thought of having to replace it if I do this again. I don't really
notice a steering difference with the bent fin. Should I be repainting
over the scratches that were made?

I hope you mean a 3 blade, 23 - I don't think I've ever seen a two
blade.

Know what you mean about the four blade though - makes one hell of a
difference huh?