I lost my prop....

[HarrisonM]

Boatyarddog - Appreciate our comment....

I just got this boat. It sat for 5+ years with little to no maintenance. I am fixing all kinds of stuff. The diver that cleans the bottom put a new zinc on the prop about 2 months ago. I am pretty sure the zinc and prop are separate, so should not have caused a problem. Due to budget I am going to go with a standard non folding prop. Next year she is going to get pulled out and then I should have budget for a folding prop and will keep this one as a backup.

I really appreciate all the great feed back.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by HarrisonM

At first inspection it seems like the cotter pin gave way then the bolts slowly unscrewed.

Your boat does not use a cotter pin to secure the prop nut.

Originally Posted by HarrisonM

Question - How often should the cotter pin be replaced?

Every time the old pin is removed a fresh one should be installed to replace it.

[fstbttms]

This is the system that French boats use to lock the nut to the shaft (actually the nut is locked to the prop and the prop is locked to the shaft.) And like a copper pin, the locking washer should replaced with a new one every time the old one is removed.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by HarrisonM

Boatyarddog - Appreciate our comment....

I just got this boat. It sat for 5+ years with little to no maintenance. I am fixing all kinds of stuff. The diver that cleans the bottom put a new zinc on the prop about 2 months ago. I am pretty sure the zinc and prop are separate, so should not have caused a problem. Due to budget I am going to go with a standard non folding prop. Next year she is going to get pulled out and then I should have budget for a folding prop and will keep this one as a backup.

I really appreciate all the great feed back.

Your welcome, sorry about the lost prop.
Never cheap, those things.
Sounds like a grand plan.
Any chance your prop setup used two prop nuts?
Cotterpins can sheer off, but dropping out?
Not likely.
There is controversy on tightening lock nuts.
Thin one first, thick on on last, then cotter pin.
Not the other way.
SV Cloud Duster

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

This is the system that French boats use to lock the nut to the shaft (actually the nut is locked to the prop and the prop is locked to the shaft.) And like a copper pin, the locking washer should replaced with a new one every time the old one is removed.

Seems prone to failure.
Any problems with these in your experiences?
SV Cloud Duster

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Boatyarddog

Seems prone to failure.
Any problems with these in your experiences?

Other than them being a PITA to deal with? No.

[C420sailor]

Sorry you lost it. That sucks. Fortunately nothing else got buggered up in the process.

I inspect my stuff annually, but I also haul every fall. If you stay in the water, inspect yourself or use a good diver. I’ve come across divers who tried to turn themselves into mechanics so they can get paid to dive...not the best. I’d rather have a mechanic who learned to dive, if you know what I mean.

[capn_billl]

Originally Posted by jibstay

I also have a 473. I replaced the prop with a Flex-o-fold a couple of years ago. It’s been fantastic! A little less prop walk in reverse and a huge increase in forward speed at the same RPMs.

I kept the original prop as a spare, but my boat is in the Caribbean, so shipping would be ridiculously expensive.

I'm going to second flex-o-fold. Not cheap, but I'm very happy with performance.

[Dooglas]

Originally Posted by Boatyarddog

Not real helpful right?
Smirky comments, NOT the right forum for that.
Sounds like envy to the general poor folk here.

Well, I have to admit that roughly the same thought crossed my mind as kapnd's - though I did keep my comment to myself. I've replaced quite a few props in my checkered career as a sail and power boater. The most recent one was last month . You just bite the bullet and do what you have to do.

[Moby Burton]

I recommend a Featherstream feathering prop. Half the cost of a max prop. I installed a 4 bladed feathering prop and it's one of the best upgrades I made.

[MicHughV]

I'd for a Maxprop...you can get re-conditioned Maxprops for half the price of a new one...In fact, I'd opt for the two blade prop in lieu of 3.....
but, with a Max prop, you can see the pitch to whatever you want....or...just call Maxprop, and they will tell you the optimum dia. and pitch for your boat...
easy peasy....

[sengland]

Have just been through all this myself. I motored for 5 miles on a one bladed prop. LOL
If it were me, assuming you have the same engine, I'd just ask Beneteau then be on the look out for a used one. Loads on eBay.

And that previously mentioned website will help, but there are six criteria you'll need to consider:

1. Pitch, which is the theoretical distance the prop will move your forward after one revolution and every inch of pitch changes the RPM by approximately 150 to 200 RPM.

2. Diameter, measured by doubling a blade length from tip to the center of the bore. For every inch of change in prop diameter the RPM varies by about 500 RPMs

3. Tapered Bore Diameter. 1", 1.25" 1.5" etc. You can buy a smaller bore and probably get it machined out but not too much that it weakens the prop.

4. Cupping. Not sure how that is measured but a lower cup diameter may decrease the top speed by 1 MPH and high cup will provide a slightly higher top speed.

5. Aspect. If you shone a light on the end of the prop, its the proportion of shadow as apposed to non shadowed area within the outer diameter of the prop. So how big each blade is

and lastly
6. what material you want to use.

[Compass790]

[QUOTE=sengland;3478004]Have just been through all this myself. I motored for 5 miles on a one bladed prop. LOL


Good post sengland,
Apologies for thread drift but did the 5 mile motor on 1 blade wreck anything?
Just curious, pretty sure we wont throw a blade again!

[sengland]

Well, when I lifted her out, the skeg was loose so I had the yard sort that out.
Not too bad as I was upgrading from an old 7/8th" shaft to a 1 1/4" SS shaft.
Yes the vibration meant I had to snail along at 1 to 1.5 knots. There was no wind luckily. Or unluckily depending on how you see things lol.
Don't go too big on the prop. I did. Had plenty of speed but motor will stall when your trying to maneuver. On my lil 20hp Yanmar.
I have a YouTube channel called Sailing with Faith, one of the earlier videos shows what it was like. Hope you subscribe :-) You have a much bigger boat than my Irwin 34" but anyway, same thing applies.
Good luck with finding a prop.

[NYSail]

I have a 423. My prop does not have a cotter pin. It has a washer like piece that you bend down 2 opposite edges…… forgot what it is called.

Regarding prop size, when I removed my prop to have it serviced I had them give me a printout on all specs of the prop….. I carry it with my documentation and other items. If I ever loose a prop, I know exactly what to buy.

Good luck!!
Greg

Originally Posted by HarrisonM

At first inspection it seems like the cotter pin gave way then the bolts slowly unscrewed.

Question - How often should the cotter pin be replaced?