Why do people wrap their prop?

[jayhanig]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

I wrap my outdrive with a contractor's plastic bag (very heavy duty) because I can't lower my outdrive all of the way without the driveway getting in the way of the skeg. If I did lower it all the way the boat would be angled to collect water rather than to drain out of the bilge. Instead I have the outdrive lowered as much as I can and wrap the bag circumferentially where it meets the transom. No water in the bag when I unwrap it; no critters either. Then there's the matter of the stainless prop: out of sight, out of mind. Doesn't attract thieves.

Between that and my boat cover, my boat rides out the winter out in the driveway on its trailer without any water getting into it and I keep the battery on a tender 24/7 so it's good to go in the spring.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

WOW


If a plastic wrap over the prop is bad because it traps in moisture I can't imagine the damage that would be done if someone was foolish enough to leave their boat moored with the entire outdrive submerged and water sitting in the risers n manifolds. :facepalm:

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

Smoke, I am with you brother. Rain and snow is easy duty for outdrives and gearcases, compared to saltwater...

 

[wgl333]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

I would think you would wrap it cause you don't want a bunch of unwanted baby props running around.

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

For long term storage on a heave duty diesel the manufacturers say to seal the intake and exhaust. So that's what I've always done. But I don't cover the entire prop. I've never been able to afford a stainless one any way.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

I had an old Merc 1000 tower of power in my shop this summer that had about 2 cups worth of grass seed in the #2 cylinder. I managed to suck most of it out with a vac and a hose fitting, followed by compressed air. Some field mouse (or three) had entered through the prop and stuffed it full. As far as I can tell, #2 was the only piston low enough in its travel to allow them access to the cylinder, or maybe it was just less grimy. I don't know. I do know the motor was locked up solid and we couldn't figure out why until we pulled the plugs and saw the seed. So yes, the little buggers can indeed crawl up in there!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

I would think you would wrap it cause you don't want a bunch of unwanted baby props running around.

Best answer so far!

 

[mr 88]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

I was always under the impression that you should always store your I/O in the down position. This prolongs the life of the bellows as they are in there natural straight form vs angled which when left like that with the constant temperature changes may create weak spots in them.Old wives tale or is there truth behind it,not sure but I leave them down if for some really stupid reason I have not removed them for inspection and then install them in the spring

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

I cover mine to keep the water out. Even with the drive tilted all the way down it seems like some could get in there. If we get a couple of feet of snow it will certainly cover the opening in the prop. As it melts this could certainly let water in there that will refreeze.
Have I seen a busted lower unit caused by water getting in thru the prop? Yes. An OMC unit on an old Bayliner. It was professionally winterized which included them covering the prop. Somehow the cover go off the prop during the winter. In the spring the lower case had cracks and bulges in it.

 

[mrmamiller]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

I put my boat away at a local fairground and it is stored inside a building. The boat is put in the buildings by people who are not boaters. This is done AFTER I leave the facility. I have to leave the boat outside and they put it away at their leisure. So, I have to leave the outboard drive up, otherwise untold things may happen as they move the boat about (skeg hits ground in the down position). This year it was raining, so I pulled the props and placed large styrofoam cups over the propshafts and taped them to the lower units, preventing water from entering the lower unit. I topped this off with a plastic bag with the bottom snipped off to allow for condensation drainage (doubtfull, as the sun never hits the boat while in storage). This is the first year for the styrofoam cups and I'll do it again. A slight bit of trimming of the cup allows it to slide on all the way and hug the sides of the lower unit.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

Hey Chinewalker, those mice must be real desperate to want to live inside your Merc's cylinder. Can't you give them proper homes?

 

[ricohman]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

Some large boats like mine can't lower the drive all the way while on the trailer. The bag keeps the lower unit from cracking when it fills with snow and ice.
But at -45 the bag doesn't last long if the wind gets up. Shrink wrap is batter.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

Some large boats like mine can't lower the drive all the way while on the trailer. The bag keeps the lower unit from cracking when it fills with snow and ice.
But at -45 the bag doesn't last long if the wind gets up. Shrink wrap is batter.

That's why I use a contractor's bag: much heavier gauge of plastic.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Why do people wrap their prop?

I would think you would wrap it cause you don't want a bunch of unwanted baby props running around.

:laugh::lol: