Can I operate my boat with the propeller being damaged?

Question

I pulled my boat over a crappy road and it took a chunk out of one of the blades on the 3 bladed prop. It is about 2-3 inches long and in the shape of a half moon. It is a mastercraft boat and the propellor is located under the boat. Can driving it like this result in bad things? What should i expect to happen/feel if i were to take it out to the lake like this? thanks!

Answer 1

I wouldn't run your boat.  The vibration of an unbalanced prop will damage other parts of your boat.  It will wipe out your cutlass bearing to start with.  I would replace the prop check the shaft to see it it was still straight.  If you hit something that hard to break your prop there could be more damage.  Dial indicate your shaft.  I have seen where someone hit something so hard it broke the transmission in two.

Answer 2

Like driving your car on a flat tire>It will damage the lower unit>If out in the water you can come home slow with it>

Answer 3

Operating boat with prop in this condition is certainly not recommended. Get the prop fixed or replaced first.

Answer 4

Timmy O is right. You will feel loss of power and possibly vibration in the drive train which will lead to part wear. Best to get it fixed.

Answer 5

you would just lose heaps of power and it might damage the motor being that the propellor is now not balanced. you will probably get heaps of vibration through the boat

Answer 6

I've run mine with prop damage.   Of course you need to avoid the higher speeds.  As long as the vibration is negligable you're probably OK.  If it's an aluminum prop you probably won't have much vibration because it's just not that heavy to start with.

Of course you need to fix it as soon as you can though.

Answer 7

The only Plain and Simple solution...You MUST replace the propeller and check the shaft to make sure you didn't bend it...I might also look at the strut...

Answer 8

NONONONONO. DON'T USE A DAMAGED PROP. IT'S UNBALANCED AND COULD CAUSE THE DRIVE SHAFT TO SELF DISTRUCT. BUY A NEW PROP TODAY.

Answer 9

by running your boat with a damaged, out of balance prop, you may end up damaging your lower unit. replace it.