Bravo prop? Dime a dozen

Doesnt sound very committed, does he?

blow a engine?maybe,,,bad prop?boating a hour later....

Thanks for the responses. Glad to hear that it can be fixed. I've never had to get props fixed like this before so I wasnt sure how easy or impossible it would be. Or expensive. I'll be making some calls today. It's also nice to know that I wont be without props for weeks or months.

A dedicated boater (or addicted one) would have a spare set for just these emergencies. Last year I had to run my 26s for a week while my new 28 was on order. I didn't crack a blade, I slung the whole thing off! Good luck, and get you a spare set!! (RH & LH)

Unfortunately I havent got around to getting a spare set for this boat. It is on the to do list along with a few other things. It's not as much of a question about dedication as it is finances.

Ok c'mon baller. One good detail and a set of props is there in a week!

That looks somewhat easy to repair. Bblades!

I understand the financial end of this but this is sound and important advice. You don't need Lab Finished props for back ups. You don't even necessarily need the same model or pitch. But something to get you on or off the water when this happens is a really good idea.


Now for the fix it question. Back in my Mercury Racing days, we would not fix large or multiple cracks in props. In fact, we would rarely fix any cracks There were many reasons for that decision and I can tell you they weren't all financially driven.. Since I began BBLADES we have opted to repair propeller cracks per my decision. I base the answer on a bunch of variables.
So, most cracks can be fixed. How long will they last and will they perform properly is the next question. Ok, is the prop a favorite race Labbed prop that will be raced, is the customer planning on selling the prop? Also, what is the HP to weight ratio as this should to be considered too.
Of course many prop shops will simply want to make the money by doing the repair. I don't look at it that way. If a blade has multiple cracks like the one in the picture, chances are the casting will generate another crack at some point. Also, the fact that the prop is beginning to separate creates another issue as far as blade memory. The metal is fatigued into a geometry it's not supposed to have due to centrifugal force. Straightening the blade with heat prior to welding is mandatory, but there is potential the blade will try to separate again.
Also, welding cracks actually hardens the metal at the weld. It also softens (anneals) the metal along the edges of the weld. This is a potential spot for a new failure. These props are not heat treated. In order to create uniform hardness's after the weld would require heat treating. This is not cost effective.

Ok, that is all the bad news. The good news is we are pretty darn good at welding props. We use the correct rod, heat and have decades of experience. There are no guarantees the prop will hold up for a specific time frame. We mark the blade with a stamped "X" so you can monitor it. We put a disclaimer on the invoice stating we do not recommend selling or racing the propeller.

Looking at the picture suggests we can do what you wish. Fix the cracks. Once I have the prop in my hands, I might decide otherwise. Sometimes it is better to say no than to have you call me back in 2 weeks upset that a new crack has formed. I wish cracks didn't form at all. Truth is, most cracks occur due to internal casting flaws like porosity and cold rolls.

One other thing, we can not fix the prop the day it arrives. We are a little more busy that that. Our current lead time is 2 weeks.
Thank you for calling us and I hope we can help you.

Brett

Sure wish I only messed up a prop this year I have had my rig for 5 months. Blew one drive, one 525 efi engine, two tires, one new prop, new stereo, new gps, etc. But hey, I can run this weekend if someone chips in on gas (jk)

Put in perspective things could always be worse. I am glad that I did not blow a drive or have a motor lock up, etc... I also understand all the associated issues with doing a repair then running the prop. My mindset is that if one blade cracked, how far behind could the other blades be?? How long till another one cracks. The thought process is to replace these props with new ones to be used as my primary props then hang on to these two as backups. Although, I could get through the rest of the season here in Pittsburgh with these after being repaired because the water conditions are not rough and I'm never too far from the dock. Therefore, not really running the boat that hard other than a few short runs. In hind sight, I wish that I would have gotten a backup set by now, but other things on the boat have been more pressing.