BigBendFishing.Net

So, I found one of the many rocks in the Rock Garden yesterday afternoon. Luckily, I was going slow enough that there was not damage to my lower unit but the rock did take a chunk out of one of the blades on my prop and dinged another blade. Is this something that can be repaired or am I looking at buying a new prop? If repair, who do you recommend? If buying new, where can I find a new prop?

Stainless or Aluminum

Gator Props in Perry can repair it.

Jumptrout51 wrote:Gator Props in Perry can repair it.

Gotta number for dem?

850-584-2767.
Turn at the Winn Dixie on the Warrior road. About 3 or 4 miles down.

Sir reel wrote:Stainless or Aluminum

Pretty sure it's stainless but, honestly, I'm not sure how to tell the difference.

I'm not sure how to tell the difference.

If it was painted then most likely aluminum. If bright finish, then stainless. Aluminum much softer than Stainless. Aluminum can be repaired once perhaps twice but is cheaper to replace than Stainless which is more expensive both to repair and replace but will withstand a harder hit than aluminum. If we're not careful...we'll end up starting a discussion on which is the best and why..which I'd rather not get into.

Vitz wrote:

Sir reel wrote:Stainless or Aluminum

Pretty sure it's stainless but, honestly, I'm not sure how to tell the difference.

If you just took out a hunk I would say probably aluminum as SS will normally just be bent to heck. If it knocked the whole blade off, then it be aluminum.

Sir reel wrote:

I'm not sure how to tell the difference.

If it was painted then most likely aluminum. If bright finish, then stainless. Aluminum much softer than Stainless. Aluminum can be repaired once perhaps twice but is cheaper to replace than Stainless which is more expensive both to repair and replace but will withstand a harder hit than aluminum. If we're not careful...we'll end up starting a discussion on which is the best and why..which I'd rather not get into.

Well, it was painted black but most of it is now bright, shiny metal where the paint has been scoured away. From the reply below yours, I'd say it's stainless because the "chunk" that was taken out was really a just a chunk that was bent back. It's still attached to the blade just bent back. The other blade just has a dent.

If it was painted, I believe your the proud owner of an aluminum prop. Once you've removed the paint, aluminum will also be shiny but not like stainless. Also, based on your description of the incident,

Luckily, I was going slow enough that there was not damage to my lower unit

it leads me to believe that your prop is aluminum. If you were going slow IE idle speed and you hit with a stainless, you'd probably not have any damage to the prop at all. (hands clasp in prayer) The aluminum will bend or sustain damage much more easily than stainless. The trade off is that even though stainless will take more of a hit than aluminum, the force of the blow will be transferred to the propshaft and lower unit more with stainless than aluminum. (Said I wasn't gonna get into this! )

I knew you couldn't stand it.

Good afternoon said the pot to the skillet....

And in conclusion, Gator Props in Perry does a fine job, from what I've heard. The folks at the Econfina store recommnd them and they see a lot of prop damage.
Give 'em a call and let us know how it all works out for you.

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I'll give Gator Props a call. Anybody aware of any place closer to Tallahassee for the repair than Perry? Don't want to drive the hour there and back twice if I don't have too. Thanks.

Vitz wrote:Thanks for all the replies. I guess I'll give Gator Props a call. Anybody aware of any place closer to Tallahassee for the repair than Perry? Don't want to drive the hour there and back twice if I don't have too. Thanks.

If you have to drive an hour there and back may be cheaper and easier to get a new one. I'd check on that first.