Spare Prop

[Mr. Pike]

How many of you carry a spare prop in your boat? I was thinking of getting a stainless steel for my Mercury 60 hp 4 stroke outboard. They're about twice the price of an aluminum. Is there any place that repairs/welds broken propellers in Bismarck? Looks like Bismarck Prop Works closed.

 

[Sluggo]

Owned a boat for 30 years. Always had a stainless steel prop. No spare.
I was told if I hit something solid enough to bust the SS prop, that I would have much bigger problems than a broken prop.

 

[Ericb]

The Honda dealer ship in Mandan does prop repair now. I haven't heard anyone else's experience there but mine was not good. Several people have recommended sending them off to Big Sky.

 

[Mr. Pike]

The prop on my new motor is a Flo-torq 2. It has a plastic insert that I suppose acts like a shear pin. If you hit something with the motor, it should chew up the plastic piece instead of the prop. If I could find a stainless steel prop that has that design, I might get it. If it's a reasonable price.

 

[Mr. Pike]

Found a stainless steel with the Flo-torq 2 insert. My owners manual says to use the Flo-Torq 3 with steel props.

https://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com/michigan-wheel-apollo-993407

 

[Fester]

Most if not all mercury stainless props can get a flow torque hub in them. Yes the plastic is ment to blow out to REDUCE damage to the prop. I have never damaged a prop before but have seen a number of props where the flow torque has saved the prop but repairs were still needed. An unbalanced prop can destroy the bearings/seals in the lower unit. If you hit something with a stainless or aluminum it's best to have it repaired regardless of the flow torque.

 

[Tymurrey]

I have a stainless 4 blade that I run on my mercury 60hp outboard. I keep the original aluminum in the boat and a floating prop wrench with me all the time. Doesn't take up a ton of space and it's there if i need it. I used to run the aluminum prop the first couple trips to the river each year in case i hit something i would hope to shear a blade than ruin the lower unit. Neither prop i have have the plastic hub.

 

[Wall-eyes]

If Aluminum get spare, if stainless care extra torque hub and also hope got kicker or trolling motor to get home.