Spare Prop?

B

Bill3558

New member
I was talking to a guy this weekend who "spun" his prop and had to go overboard while well offshore to replace it with his spare.

I don't carry a spare and wonder how many of you fellow Brats do. Am I being irresponsible? There are no rocks here and never had a problem, but now I am wondering if I am pushing my luck.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.
 
We have always tried to keep a spare with us. There is always the chance of impact with debris in the water such as wood or kelp beds taking out a weak prop, etc.....
 
I always carry a spare. Normally we run a stainless prop, with an aluminum prop as the spare. It is of a different diameter/pitch so that I can use it at higher altitudes as the primary...

On Edit: We also carry a spare prop nut, washer and lots of cotter pins...
 
Are you kidding? With all the lobster pot floats here in Maine a spare is not an option. I have changed props in open water from the swim step several times. Always have spare nut, washer and cotter pin. Honda seems to have a nut size different from all others so check your wrench/socket.
 
Bill3558, the answer is: you're being irresponsible.

A spare prop is cheap and can save your aft section if you lose the main prop. They're easy to change. Especially if you practice on dry land.

Boris
 
I change props using my inflatable. Don't have to worry about falling off the swim step, dropping tools, washers, cotter pins, or props as much.
 
Bill,

We carry a Pihrana composite spare prop. I have a set of RH and LH rotating blades, so it will fit either engine. The kit also includes a floating wrench and spare nut, washers and cotter pins.

Having gone to this trouble, I will probably never need it, but who knows? :shock:
 
Dreamer":2g4kn0ve said:
We carry a Pihrana composite spare prop. I have a set of RH and LH rotating blades, so it will fit either engine. The kit also includes a floating wrench and spare nut, washers and cotter pins.
Click to expand...
Roger, you have Hondas BF150s, yes?

Might you know the model number of your Piranha kit?
---
mike
 
I carry a spare along with a prop wrench, nut, washer, and cotter pin. With all the logs and other floating debris in our area, it's cheap insurance.
 
I have a spare aboard, as it is so easy to whack a prop on debris or the planet on our shallow water explorations. I like aluminum props as they will give and save your expensive!! drive train, a ss prop will likely survive a hit and your drive train folds like ouch.
 
We run a stainless prop in areas where sand and mud are the typical bottom content ( New Jersey /Florida). We put an aluminum prop on in rocky or debris likely places such as Maine. Stainless props can chew through a sand bar with little effect on the prop. Aluminum isn't as tough and can be damaged digging through sand. Everyone has there own ideas about things. One of each is the way we roll. :)
D.D.
 
And once again I benefit from reading these posts. One of my first spare/emergency parts after acquiring my C-Dory was a spare aluminum prop. I have a prop nut wrench and cotter pins aboard but after reading these posts I realize that I do not have a spare nut and washers. They are on my winter to do lists now! Thanks.
 
No one has mentioned it yet but it is important to remove your prop and clean and grease the prop shaft at least once a year. Otherwise you may not be able to remove it while on the water and make use of your spare. Another thing to watch out for if changing the prop on the water is that the thrust washer can sometimes stick to the prop and fall into the drink as you slide the prop off the shaft-I only have experience with Hondas-other brands may be different.
 
A bent aluminum prop can often be hammered out and filed to be usable--If badly out of balance, only use at low speeds. But it does not take the place of a spare prop.

We like to carry the spares in lower pitch than the primary (SS) prop. That way if you drop 2" and 4" in pitch, you also will have props for 3700 feet (Powell) and 7,000 feet (Yellowstone, Tahoe etc).
 
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