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Prop Cost

Discussion in 'Props, Shafts & Seals' started by JadePanama, Jun 21, 2019.

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  1. JadePanama

    JadePanama Member

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    Hey everyone

    I have a 53' Tollycraft. 6v92 TA 550hp with Allison M20 2:1 gearboxes. 17' beam, around 70k lbs.

    I had a diver do routine maintenance / anodes and he called with a report that I have a fair amount of prop damage on both. The worst part is I have no idea where I got it. It is what it is, but working on go forward plan. I figured one option to consider is getting new props, and repairing the old ones for spares. However, i have NO CLUE as to what a prop costs. Even ballpark. I am waiting on information from the divers as to current size etc, but figured this fine group would likely be able to provide a ball park for what new props would cost so I can at least come up with a game plan.

    Appreciate the input.

    Thx - Wade
  2. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    What kind of prop damage? If it's electrolysis you've got additional issues to cure. If they're banged up they can most probably be fixed. You are maybe in the 29x34 3 or 4 blade neighborhood with 2" bore - that's a guess. Bronze? Nibral? Ballpark list price starting around $4,500 each but it depends on who, what, where, and how.
  3. JadePanama

    JadePanama Member

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    thx! thats what i was looking to see. just banged up. no electrolysis issues.
  4. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Are you getting any vibration at speed? Where are you located?

    If you re not getting vibrations it wouldn’t be the first time a diver claims props have dings and oh by the way I can take them to a good prop shop to get them fixed... :). I ve seen guys trying to pull off that scam

    When I repowered my 53 Hatteras MY I got quotes for new bronze 4 blades 28x24 2” shaft at $2500.

    Any decent prop shop should be able to recondition and balance your props... prices vary. I ended up having my existing props repitched and balanced as they were Nibral Forgot the price but a fraction of new ones.

    But again, do a sea trial for vibrations
  5. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    I was going to mention, have the diver take photos. Again what kind of damage are we talking about? Is it some dings that you don't notice when underway?

    Anyway I don't like divers replacing props. I've done it. But I don't like it.
  6. JadePanama

    JadePanama Member

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    hey all. yes he provided photos. one has a good chunk out of it and another a sliver split out and bent. Located in Seattle. I only get a vibration at 2000 rpm+ when I feel like we are really flying along around 17 knots and fairly mild. It was there when we bought it at sea trial and both the surveyor and the engine guy felt it was pretty normal and at haul out props were perfect ...so, i have never given it much thought since. under 1700 rpm its smooth as can be... but the damage is clear on his pics. Done by Emerald City Divers and they have a great reputation. Definitely not a scam. i will work on getting them pulled and repaired. i was hoping the cost was a bit lower but it is what it is :) Thx everyone for your advice.
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Seattle? Land of logs, trash and torpedoes of some kind always in the water?
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Get the real D & P before you order anything.
    I'm a diameter guy. Always looking for more on a displacement hull.
  9. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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  10. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    I also boat in Seattle and wouldn't even think about what props to replace your current set up with until you have had the boat hauled and taken a good look at the condition of your running gear. Once you know that then figure out if your current pops can be repaired or if you need to go with new props. If you do need new props try and figure out what diameter and pitch was used when the boat was delivered and look at something similar or possibly with slightly less pitch as over the years the boat has probably been loaded down with more gear which can take a toll on your engines if not propped correctly for that. We have a number of good prop shops in the Puget Sound from Anacortes to Seattle. I use John at the Prop Shop in Mukilteo which coincidentally is who Pac Blue mentioned above.
  11. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    After you have replaced with new props, see if the old ones can be refurbished enough to keep as back-up emergency spares.
  12. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Wade, Have you had the boat hauled? Did you ever see the bottom? I would haul the boat and inspect the entire bottom, that's some nasty damage to the props. Your big props can take bangs from logs and such..that's a big hit..I would want to see the running gear, the hull, keel etc. with my own eyes. Then size your props and shop around for used of refurbished props. You can find many with little run time on them , used at many prop shops. If money is no problem then, sure get new ones at double the price.
  13. CTdave

    CTdave Senior Member

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    Definitely take them to a reputable prop shop first and get an estimate. I've seen props that in my opinion were absolutely destroyed and they came out like new for a fraction of the price. There are a few sites that sell used props too.
    I sheered off a 3-1/2" shaft and lost a prop three years ago (crack starting at the keyway). Fortunately it exited without hitting anything. I have 34" 5 blade Nibral wheels and a found a two year old set of Veems which cost $18k (plus a new shaft) ouch!
  14. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I
    I hope you the other shaft magnaflux. Same thing happened two me a year ago (retrieved the prop in 22’ of water on Exuma Bank) and when we hauled out the other 3 1/2 “ shaft was cracked too
  15. timvail

    timvail Senior Member

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    Was just wondering. Do the shafts start to crack because of age or because they have had a few bumps along the way?
  16. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    “Bumps” would add stress but in our case i didn’t find any evidence of this having happened in the boat history

    Some folks also believe that installing props under water increase the chances of the prop not being seated properly. Maybe

    One thing I suspect greatly increase stress is heavy handed captains. On sea trial 2 years before,the previous captain accelerated so quickly that we got massive cavitation and vibration. The stress loads on the shaft from massive amount of power are huge
  17. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Short answer is yes to both or any combination there of.

    Shafts will wear over time and should be inspected after every "bump'.
  18. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    For sure. I recall a particular operator whose docking maneuvers involved numerous slams from forward to reverse and vice versa. I was always waiting for something to snap watching it. How about we spend a few secs in neutral, let the RPM's settle down and then GENTLY nudge it where it needs to go. Being nice to your running gear is a good idea.
  19. dsharp

    dsharp Senior Member

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    The cracks will start if the wheel doesn’t slide over the key. When they repair wheels they are placed on a mandrel to hold it in position for the pitch block. For some reason it rolls the corner of the key way slightly on the large side of the bore. Always take a file and dress the key way so the key slides easily through the wheel. Whether you put any type of lube or anti seize product on the shaft is open to debate. Seems like every boat yard has their own thoughts on that. I’ve never been a fan of changing props in the water either unless you just have to. Too many things can go wrong.
  20. JBP

    JBP New Member

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    Brad shares from keyways have an always