New Boat - dinged prop - RPM difference

[Shallow Minded]

Had a prop question and was hoping somebody might have some insight. My new-to-me 38 Scarab is running labbed 30P Merc 4-blades and one of them has a pretty decent ding in it. You can't really feel any vibration, but there is a 100-200 RPM difference at WOT.

My plan was to just run it this season and have them tuned this fall when I have a better idea of performance #'s, etc. Will doing so risk damaging anything else? The boat has extension boxes and I'd hate for the unbalanced prop to cause damage or premature wear further up the drive somewhere.

Thanks for any thoughts. Oh, and BBlades, the boat is from the Green Bay area, you may even know it (it came from Shipyard Marine.) Thanks again... Quint

[John P]

If you feel it fix it!

[Griff]

I doubt you will hurt anything in the ext box. It could hurt the drive if its causing any vibration. I have also done a quicky repair with a propane torch and hammer and block of wood to get it close. I know BBlades is running about a 3 week turn around time right now.

BTW, do you know about the maintenance/greasing needed inside the boxes???? Several zerks that should be greased every 25 or so hours.

[J.T.]

I would do as Griff said and at least try to
staighten out the ding.

Stellings boxes eliminate the rubber coupler
that is used on standard installations,
the drivetrain now is more sensitive to
vibration issues...anything you can do to eliminate
vibration will be beneficial to the drives.

As I recall, there are 4 grease fittings inside the box.

2 at the u-joints at each end, 1 on the slip joint,
and 1 at the carrier bearing.

[Shallow Minded]

Thanks for the input guys, really appreciate it. It has been somewhat repaired and isn't terrible, but with this being my new baby, I might see what I can do between the Harbor Hop and Memorial Day. Upper Hand has a lead on a local guy he uses...

Also, thanks for the heads-up on the boxes. I guess the previous owner didn't realize this and actually had some problems. As a result, the entire boxes were replaced last fall! Other than the grease zerks, anything special that needs to be done to maintain extension boxes?

[csheldon]

[QUOTE=Griff]I know BBlades is running about a 3 week turn around time right now.QUOTE]



I have a cousin who has a prop shop in Texas.

http://www.coastalpropeller.com

[Griff]

Thanks for the input guys, really appreciate it. It has been somewhat repaired and isn't terrible, but with this being my new baby, I might see what I can do between the Harbor Hop and Memorial Day. Upper Hand has a lead on a local guy he uses...

Also, thanks for the heads-up on the boxes. I guess the previous owner didn't realize this and actually had some problems. As a result, the entire boxes were replaced last fall! Other than the grease zerks, anything special that needs to be done to maintain extension boxes?

Nope, nothing else other than keeping them greased. Just pull the side covers off to do it and have a grease gun with a flexible hose.

[bbladesprops]

We are backed up about 2.5 weeks.

My only caution is dealing with prop shops who don't understand Lab Finishing.

We know the Mercury specs. like the back of our hands. My partner and I have been Labbing and repairing Mercury Labbed props at Mercury Racing and BBLADES since the day they were first Labbed. If you don't send them here, question the shop you go to about their Lab and Merc Labbed propeller experience.

Brett