Pitting on bronze prop

[Jeckjc2]

Have a 14 year old bronze prop that's used in saltwater but dry docked. Notices some pitting around base and wondered if I should be concerned? Can it be filled or welded. Attaching pi. Thanks!

 

[Sea Rider]

It could be welded and polished to a smooth finish afterwords. Don't know if pitting will inballance prop at wot ?

Happy Boating

 

[Frank Acampora]

That pitting appears to be at the base of the blade where loads are greatest. It also appears to be deep. Have a professional look at it.

Bronze props are not "welded" in the traditional iron welding sense. They are brazed and this repair is just as strong as the original prop. In fact, in the old days repair of auto body panels was done by brazing. The joint was strong and the lower head used meant less distortion of sheet metal.

 

[Loughie]

Don't weld it as welding will weaken the blade, it is cavitation erosion caused by a bad design prop or something in front of the prop causing it to cavitate. Bogging it will do nothing, the bog will just get eroded out nearly straight away, it is strange that it only started now. Maybe the wrong tilt on the engine.