cracked prop on a 29 fever
 

Looking for two new props. I was getting the boat ready and while cleaning up the residue on the props, I figure I would do a dye penetrant on them. Sure enough there is a crack starting on the leading edge about half way down on a blade about a half an inch long. Well there is no name on them so I have no idea what make they are. The only markings are. HC-CL26R 0-IV near the splines and HE22791 , LP1102 on the outside of the hub. Any thoughts on two replacements? Looking more for top end speed. Running twin 454s 385 hp each Bravo 1 drives, 15 spline, 4 blade. Thanks Mark

Where did you get the Dye Pen stuff?

Call or email Fountain and get your original test report. It will show what props the boat came with, and they are usually pretty close to what you would use for the best top speed.

prop make
 

That's a hydromotive quad 4, 26" pitch, right hand. I had a pair on my old scarab and they did the same thing, after I tried to have them repaired locally I found out Hydromotive would have replaced them under warranty.

Reply to the first three
 

-Well the dye penetrant I use at work. I do NDI on aircraft.

-That is great about the warranty on the props I will look into that and let you know.

-I had not thought about asking Fountain about prop size only because I feel the boat runs pretty darn good with the old ones. But I may call them anyway.

Thanks guys.

The "HE22791" means that the prop was labbed by Hydromotive Engineering, and the 22791 is the file number for that work order, if I remember correctly. Usually, labbing the prop voids any warranty, even if it was done by Hydromotive to one of their own props. In mid-late 90's Fountain mostly used Hydromotive props. Early 90's to ~ 1996ish they used Mach Sterndriver props. Changed to Bravos in early 2000's when X-dim continued to go up (and also when Mercury/Brunswick had a big chunk of Fountain's stock/ownership).

I lost a blade last year and a upper case and a lower shortie at the same time.

Hey Bob Thanks thats good info. I talked to a guy at "Hydro" and replacements without lab are 1400 delivered. With lab about 2000. But I am not sure if I want to go back to that well and drink. Even thou they may be the original props and stood the test of time. So I am still curious what other people are running with the similar set-up that I have?

Stick with the hydromotives for top speed and lab finish them for a little more speed. You can buy on ebay and save considerably.

Hydromotives Quad 4s run nicely for top speed on these boats. You can buy them on ebay to save and then lab finish for top performance. $350-450 a set.then lab finish both at Hydromotive for $600 and you are good to go Fountain set up these boats for hydromotive props so I don't believe any other props are a first choice. I am very happy with mine.

have a prop guy as a buddy and he does wonders with SS props. May be worthwhile to have a prop guy look at it first

I can say from experiance do not repair it that noncence cost me upper and lower case .
Rich

not saying your wrong. But if a weld is done right its actually stronger than the original. Talked to my friend last night about what you said, he said you need to know when and when not to fix SS specially when its cracked and what application its on.

Got me wondering about this last night, have to wonder how many props if you put dye penetrant on it would should cracks? If so there has to be some tolerances in props that allow it operate with minimal cracking

I had stress cracks at the base of by hydromotive props on my 42, broke the ear off one prop. Took the "good prop" to my prop guy in Dallas and he said he would not touch it I needed new props. I did not try any warranty I did not think there was any. :(

So after talking to the folks at "Hydro" They give a one year warranty on standard props. Once they lab them it voids any warranty. So I found this guy Tim selling a used pair of props off of his 35 in the classified section. Waiting on the UPS truck. Hope they are as nice as they look in all the pictures. Won't hit 79 because they are not labbed but I don't normally run WOT anyway. The price was right too.

props is route , should be there soon .

Hey Tim: Nice lookin boat. Teresa called me and said they were delivered this morning. Going to try to get them on this evening and get out tommorrow. Thanks buddy maybe we can catch up with one another at a run sometime. Mark

come on down to the thunder run , it is a really good time . I have several frends that will be there pluss alot of the regulars from cumberland will be there .

I know the person who labs the props for hydro if you want his number

Is his name Mark? Has a shop east of Indy?

Yes it is Shelbyville In. Nice guy