SS prop looses the polish after 5min into the water.

[silver_power]

Hello to everyone,...
there is something i want to ask you a long time ago...
I use SS at my boat for at least 15 years, and i have changed at least 4 differenet models of SS props. All of them were Mercury.
Every year i polish the propeller before i put the boat in to the water but as soon as i put it in and run it for about 5mins, the prop stops to shine and become a litle rough. Looks like elecrtolysis. If i put the prop out of the water and use some special liquid (i do not what is the exact word in English for this liquid), the propeller become totally new.
I ran always with anode kit but i do not have a mercathode. I just bought it and i will have it installed next year.
My boat has an Alpha One genII drive. I am qurius, because i have seen a lot of SS props to shine in the water, but mine does not!
And something else,....when the prop is shining, and i touch it in to the water, my finger REALLY slips, but after some time of operation (about 5mins) and after the polish is gone, i touch the blades of the prop and my finger does not slip the same. Is normal for the prop to loose it's polish in to the water? I think that maybe then, there is more drug and maybe i loose speed. Do you think that this may happens?
With mercathode will i still have the same problem?

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: SS prop looses the polish after 5min into the water.

I think you may be seeing the results of engine exhaust - I've seen the same thing. There's not really much that can be done about it except clean the prop when you're done boating.

 

[silver_power]

Re: SS prop looses the polish after 5min into the water.

Yes, but why the SS props at the outboard engines are polished for long time?
I do not remember to see a SS prop to an outboard engine to be unpolished....

 

[CharlieB]

Re: SS prop looses the polish after 5min into the water.

Are you using the 'continuity' washer?

See item #74 in the parts view here

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...c=GEAR+HOUSING(PROP+SHAFT)(STANDARD+ROTATION)

Edit:
Note, the parts view shows the position of this washer in the WRONG place, it is put on just AFTER the prop is put on and the star(locks) provide continuity between the prop and the prop washer/nut. This is required to help reduce electrolysis between the dissimilar metals, the prop/washer/nut.
This washer (item 74) belongs between #71 and the prop, item #70 is the thrust washer that goes on just BEFORE the prop.

 

[silver_power]

Re: SS prop looses the polish after 5min into the water.

I definately do not use this part to my drive.
But with Enertia i have the Flo Torque II assembly. So where am i going to put this lockwasher?

 

[CharlieB]

Re: SS prop looses the polish after 5min into the water.

Even when using another style prop hub you still use the thrust washer in front of the prop, then immediately after the prop you place the 'continuity' star washer, the prop nut washer, tabbed lock washer, then nut, same as on a conventional rubber hubbed prop.

The continuity washer provides the electrical path that grounds the dissimilar metals together, to prevent electrolysis from occurring.

 

[puget sounder]

Re: SS prop looses the polish after 5min into the water.

Excuse me for cutting in. But; They don't seem to offer a continuity washer for anything under a 70 hp merc. ? In my case I have a 40 hp merc outboard and want to avoid this problem as I've had It before. My SS prop does not use the torque 11 or any other slip in hub. Is their another option for me? Thanks; Mike