Re: Evinrude 9.5hp plastic prop?
I was mostly concerned whether or not the Lexan prop was meant to be a full time prop or just a temporary spare prop like the one piece composite props you can buy for larger motors to save weight in the boat. When I bought my 19' boat it came with a graphite composite prop which was in a plastic tub, the papers with it said it was only to be used at low speed in emergencies and not to exceed 3000 rpm. I dumped it on eBay and got myself a duplicate aluminum prop to carry.
I've got a 1990 3hp and a 1978 6hp with plastic props, but all of my 9 1/2hp motors have always had aluminum props. My 1973 9 1/2hp Evinrude came new with a three blade aluminum prop and it's still on it today. It was bought new by a neighbor who sold it to me when it was only 5 years old, as far as I know its never been changed.
What I've been contemplating is whether this thing is really a super low hours original motor or a super nice restoration job. The paint and decals look original, there's almost no exhaust residue in the lower port, and the carb had no odor of gasoline at all. The prop is completely unmarked, the spark plugs appear brand new, and the paint on the power head is minty perfect. Even the wiring and light colored plastic looks new. I bought it for less than what the prop would sell for at the dealer.
It even came with a super clean 3 gallon metal OMC fuel tank, and four round, red white and blue pop top cans of OMC oil. I think I'll keep the cans unopened and just run modern oil but its neat to see something so original. It even came with a factory service manual, parts list, and owner's manual.
I've always liked these little motors, simple, light, and reliable.