Ran my boat in Atlantic City water and nailed a floater at 80mph. The prop faired pretty well with leading edge nicks but one blade tip is bent on a 30* angle. Who should I have do this? Hydromotive, Hill? I want to have it lab finished while I'm at it too. Will lab finishing still make this prop act like the 30p I know and love? Will I be suprised to find more speed and mid range with a sharper, lighter and thinner prop? Please let me know so I dont make major mistake. Thanks guys!

Due to blade breakage problems, I would not recommend labbing the prop. As to repairing the prop, I'd be strongly tempted to send it back to Hydromotive.

Labbing can make a prop that weak?

When the leading edges are thinned, there is a higher chance of developing stress cracks, starting at the leading edge. I just got a new Q-IV and the information supplied by with the prop, from Hydro, regarding labbing, was quite informative.

Yes. You are removing material from the blades so they are thinner. The merc props are made from a different type of stainless which is a bit more flexible than the Hydromtives. The Hydros seem to work harden easier and can actually fail rather dramatically. When I was at the prop shop a couple of weeks ago he had at least a dozen props that had cracked just from fatigue.

Baja2x105,
I'll let you in on a secret, Hydromotive does not repair their own props in house. I believe that they are sent to Precision Propellor in Indiana (Not positive on the name). I sent my prop to be refinished at Hydromotive and it came back with a yellow invoice with the name and address blacked out in marker. I can still see the print and I believe that is the name of the repair shop they use to refurb their props. I think it will save you a little money to just send it directly. I will work on getting the name and address to you after I get home tonight! I think it cost me $130 to send the prop to Hydromotive and I think that Hydromotive marks up their price as well. Send me a PM to remind me to get the name and address if you are interested!

I too send my props to Hydromotive for repair and they did send them out, but I could not read the info on the "yellow" sheet. My props did come back in great condition. I too would like to know who they use.
I was told by many people to NOT lab finish the Hydromotives, it makes them a time bomb as to early failure.

I'll take a look at my yellow repair order sheet to see if I can make out the name and address to where Hydromotive sends their props to be repaired....I'll post later this evening!!

Thanks for the info on labbing. Although it's a real bummer that I can't go out and blow another $175.00. I did some searching and a place called York in CA. will be reconditioning my Hydro. He also said no to labbing a Hydro. One week down time is easy to live with also. Can't wait to spin the 24p again-OFF with the blower belt Will let you guys know how the 30p looks when I get it back. Cya!

FYI,
Hydromotive sends their repair work to:

Precision Propellor Inc.
2427 North Ritter Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46218


Hydromotive's Address is:
Hydromotive Engineering Company
9261 Ravenna Road, B-1
Twinsburg, OH 44087
(330)425-4266

Hydro charged me $135 to have the prop cleaned up, polished, and reconditioned back to stock specs. Then I was charged $17.93 for "freight to customer" for a total of $152.93

Hope this helps,
Dave