Boat Maintenance: Tore-up prop

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	Name:	Jim120 -
	Subject:	Tore-up prop
	Date:	8/31/2008 3:19:22 PM

Well, as usual in such cases my confusion obviously is about to increase before it begins to decrease. I "ASSumed" I'd get a prop just like the one I have and that would be it, but it's a lot more, uh, interesting than that. Forgive me, it's the first time I've investigated the topic of props.

My engine is a Mercury Mercruiser AlphaOne 4.3L 190 HP sterndrive. It's in a used 19' Tahoe Fish & Ski I bought this year. I think it was bought by the original owner in 2006. We bought from them.

The prop has "832834A45P23 Mercury" stamped on it. Overtons has no listing at all (even after I drop the P23 and Mercury) for that S/N but I get hits with Google and likewise as I start zeroing in on places like iboats.com I also find it. The odd thing is that Mercury's equipment listings say this is only for 2004 and earlier engines. It's an aluminum prop.

As I winnow my way through various "prop finders" I also see I could apparently in theory buy any of a large number of brands of prop, ranging in price from about $110 way up about $675. I gather one big difference is aluminum vs stainless steel. I can't afford a $600 prop, so that decision is easy. Looks like about $180 is the going rate for buying a new aluminum prop just like the one I have.

However, the "pitch" issue relates to how you use the boat (though in real life I am not sure how much difference it makes.) And also I apparently have the option of a 4-blade prop vs the existing 3-blade prop. Only the future will tell exactly how we use this boat over its life, but I do have two 13/16 year old daughters who like to get pulled on boards and skis etc, unlike the previous owners who were a retired couple. Top speed is not important top us (in fact, this boat is too darn small to run at its top dangerous-feeling 50+ speed on this lake and I am perfectly happy cruising at 25-35 mph.)

So what do you guys think? (Assuming I replace rather than repair.)