Can a prop go bad from age?

ronboonville · Jun 22, 2013

35 hp gale, replaced the prop in 1987 and quit using boat till just recently. It just won't get on plane like it used to. Full tune up last fall. so do they just go bad with age? same boat. I put on a few pounds since then!

steelespike · Jun 22, 2013

Re: Can a prop go bad from age?

Did it run right with the new prop in 87? Was the new prop the same pitch?Was the boat in dry storage?
Props don't change from simple age except for the hub occasionally dry out and failed hub will let the motor rev but the boat may actually slow. If the coils haven't been replaced very likely it is running on one cylinder. Not unusual not to know it was one cylinder
but for the lack of power.
If the fuel system hasn't been rebuilt it may not be developing full power.

ronboonville · Jun 22, 2013

Re: Can a prop go bad from age?

ran great in '87 with that prop. not in dry storage, left outside. new coils, points, fuel pump, carb rebuild and impeller. runs good just 1/2 throttle and full throttle are about the same. new plugs and wires, and synched.

90stingray · Jun 22, 2013

Re: Can a prop go bad from age?

Left outside? .... Since 1987? Was it covered the entire time?.... prolly not so I am guessing there is some water built up in the hull and foam that is weighting you down...

foodfisher · Jun 22, 2013

Re: Can a prop go bad from age?

If they go bad from age it's because the rubber died and it's spun or a blade fell off.

steelespike · Jun 23, 2013

Re: Can a prop go bad from age?

I'll second the possibility of water in the foam under the floor.
"half throttle the same as full throttle" Before anything pull one plug wire at a time and see if it will run.

ronboonville · Jun 23, 2013

Re: Can a prop go bad from age?

Don't think it is the foam, gutted boat and let it sit under carport for 3 months. Put in new floor and decks. Running on both cylinders. I think I may have found the obvious. I need to tuck in the motor and raise it a little. Look at the photos, I have the tilt pin in the wrong place and need to move it. The cav plate is 3 inches lower than hull but can only raise it a little.

jestor68 · Jun 23, 2013

Re: Can a prop go bad from age?

If the motor is mounted in the same manner as it was when it used to perform better, why would that be the problem?

I can't think any reason a prop would go bad from sitting.

jestor68 · Jun 23, 2013

Re: Can a prop go bad from age?

I put on a few pounds since then![/QUOTE] Maybe that might be a factor? :facepalm:

Outsider · Jun 23, 2013

Re: Can a prop go bad from age?

I don't see how that motor would ever run right with that, or any other prop. It's a long shaft on a short transom ...

steelespike · Jun 24, 2013

Re: Can a prop go bad from age?

If you can find the parts you can turn it into a short shaft motor.Its possible all you would need is a short driveshaft.
If they just extended the water tube and the shift rod.

ronboonville · Jun 24, 2013

Re: Can a prop go bad from age?

Transom is 21 inches. thought that was for a long shaft. Thanks for the input though.

Can a prop go bad from age?

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