5 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Boat Props

Propellers are a vital part of your boat because you can’t move in the water without them. But despite having such an integral role, the propellers or props are still one of the boat’s most ignored parts. This is often the case with a lot of boat owners as the propellers aren’t immediately noticeable, and as the saying goes, ‘Out of sight, out of mind.

’ With a damaged boat propeller, your boat’s power, speed, and efficiency will be considerably affected, and that’s something you surely won’t fail to notice.

Therefore, you should always watch for signs that your boat props are about to malfunction completely before the present situation worsens. You must do this as a boat owner because propellers are bound to wear down over time regardless of how careful you are when navigating your boat in the water. With that said, here are the common signs that tell you it’s time to replace your boat props:

1. Reduced Fuel Efficiency

One of the most obvious signs that the boat propeller needs to be replaced is when you notice a sudden and drastic increase in your fuel consumption. This usually happens because the props have a significant influence on the boat’s efficiency. Therefore, even the slightest damage to the propeller eventually leads to increased fuel use. As a result, you won’t be able to stay out in the water for extended periods, and you’ll have to spend more money refueling your boat. In addition, your boat’s overall performance will take a hit, meaning your rides will no longer be as enjoyable or convenient as before.

Reduced fuel efficiency is usually triggered by excessive wear and tear of the blade. It can also be caused by the propeller having too much pitch. The best way to gauge whether your propeller is causing the increased fuel consumption is to use a different prop and compare the results. If you notice a considerable difference in the fuel consumption of the two props, then it’s time to replace your current one. A Volvo Penta prop is a good brand to go with due to its reliability and incredible build, though you can look into other options if you wish.

BS PRO Duo Prop from Getaprop.com

2. Your Boat Is Producing Strange Vibrations

The propeller is highly prone to damage if you often pilot your boat in shallow waters or harsh environments. You need to be cautious when steering your boat over such areas to prevent damage to its more sensitive parts, such as the rudders, shafts, and propellers. If you notice that your boat rides have become bumpy, the propeller might have a dent that prevents you from having a smooth ride.

Therefore, if you ever strike something hard below the water surface and start hearing unfamiliar vibration sounds from underneath your boat, this might be a sign the props have been affected. Should the sounds and vibrations become more evident when you speed up the boat, it’s an obvious sign that the props have been damaged. Due to the increased vibrations, water can’t flow smoothly over the destroyed propellers, thereby placing unnecessary strain on the trim tab hardware, lower unit, and shaft.

It’s easy to ignore the vibrations because they don’t directly impact your boat’s speed. However, they reduce the boat’s safety and comfort, and they might lead to the damage of other boat components.

3. Your Boat Has Gotten Slower

If your boat’s propeller has severely worn down, it becomes harder for it to reach the max revolutions per minute (RPM). This usually happens because there isn’t enough water moving over the damaged propeller. This means it’ll take your boat much longer to reach its maximum cruise speed. You must never ignore this problem as it might eventually destroy the engine’s interior workings, such as the crankshaft, bearings, and pistons.

Your boat’s reduced speed may also be the result if your boat has cheaper aluminum propellers. Because of the soft alloy metal, such props don’t do an effective job pushing back against the water. It would be best to replace them with stainless steel blades that are usually thinner and stronger, which effectively cut through the water.

4. Not Enough Or Too Much Pitch

The prop pitch refers to the distance a propeller would move through the water in order to complete one revolution. This means if your boat’s pitch is 20 inches, it should move by 20 inches each time it rotates through the water. The lower the prop’s pitch, the greater the number of the RPM, while a higher pitch translates to reduced RPM.

If the pitch is very low, the boat will overextend itself as it tries to catch up. Although you might be pleased with the impressive speed at first, this will eventually take a toll on your boat’s engine and result in damage. When the propeller pitch is very high, accelerating your boat becomes a lot harder. Because of this, your boat ends up working a lot harder, albeit at reduced speeds. This ends up placing a lot of stress on the boat’s mechanics such as the gear case components and the engine.

When you experience not enough or too much pitch, it’s an ideal time to have the propellers replaced. This will save you a lot of money eventually as it’ll prevent possible long-term damage to your boat.

5. Bad Visual Signs 

It’s best to inspect your boat props from time to time. Doing this allows you to detect damage such as:

• Corroded blades
• Dents, cracks, or nicks
• Worn-out blades
• Clogged prop hub
  
• Fouling due to algae or wastewater

If you notice such visual signs, that’s enough reason to go ahead and replace the boat propeller immediately. Replacement is especially necessary if the damage is extensive and irreparable rather than minor nicks, dings, or small burrs. While replacing your boat props will be costlier than repairing them, it’s still cheaper than how much you’d have spent if you failed to act accordingly.

Takeaway 

The last thing you want is to be stranded at sea because your boat’s propeller has malfunctioned. Fortunately, a boat’s propeller won’t stop working all of a sudden since it’s more likely to show some signs of wear and tear at a gradual pace. Detailed in this guide are the signs you need to take seriously because they indicate that you need to replace your boat’s props as soon as possible.