[zyanni]

Just got Initiated to the Grounding Society of Chesapeake Bay! I have a Mercruiser 1995 4.3lx Alpha drive with 3 blade Alum Prop. Hit the mud at cruising speed. Got off easily by moving weight forward. No Apparent damage to the outdrive.Polished the outside tips of the blade and skeg. When I checked the prop it had a small nick on one blade and what looked like an old fracture at the very tip of the same blade about two inches long. I flattened the nick with a vise grip but am worried the small fracture will break off at speed. Can I run this prop till I get a replacement or repair? Can't see what the model of the stock prop is. Any suggestions on prop size and pitch? Will do mostly short cruising around the creeks and Bay so I am not concerned with speed. (Just economy) ... Engine serial #= OF594770, Drive Serial #= OF525556 Thanks for your help!

[Don S]

Moving to prop forum

[danfrompgh]

You could use it as is, but I would'nt. Did similiar damage last year and blade actually was bent slightly causing a vibration in the drive, never a good thing. If you are unsure of what you have try the marine store at this site,the prop wizard gets you in the ballpark. Al props are fairly cheap to replace.

[zyanni]

Thanks ! Will Do