Good morning everyone!

 

As spring approaches, I have many projects going on, and some unfinished business with my boat that didn't get taken care of last fall before I put it away. At the time, and all winter, I haven't had the money to even think of a new prop or anything extra. At all...

That said, my summer is super busy with work, my wedding disc jockey business, and fishing. Now that I will have more income to fish what I need done, I have the following issues to take care of:

 

First off, I need a prop for my 1989 Mercury 70hp motor.

On the prop, it says:

48 77344 A4OL 17P

(from what I understand, it is a 13.25 x17 with a 17pitch)

 

I have narrowed it down to here:

http://www.getaprop.com/content-categories/cat-525_590_951/40_140hp_aluminum.html

 

I just want to make sure that I am shopping for the exact prop that I have already. I want to stay with an aluminum prop, and hopefully save as much money as I can. I don't want a piece of junk, but money is a huge factor. The prop I currently have, has the hub built into it. I will likely need a hub kit.

From your experiences, what props are the best for the money? I have seen the power tech ones, but wonder why they are so much cheaper than the other ones.

 

Here is a prop that I found on Ebay, but not 100% positive it will work for my motor...http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercury-48-77344A45-Genuine-13-25-X-17-Pitch-Black-Max-Aluminum-Propeller-Prop-/200901204309?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item2ec6a51955&vxp=mtr

 

I can get the prop frim the dealer for $171, but I'd like to get it cheaper than that of course.

I do have boat insurance, and the deductable is $500. The shaft doesn't appear to be bent, and there is still grease on it (a friend asked if there was) and when I changed the lower unit oil while winterizing it, my friend who really knows his stuff, said that the lower unit oil looked brand new before we changed it, and he said that could be a good sign. I am going to have it tested though, just to be sure.

 

When I hit the rock, or ledge, or whatever it was, I was going less than 5 mph. My trolling motor was completely dead, and I was heading in for the day.

 

Second Question:

I had an issue during the last trip or two that my bilge pump would not automatically come on. My thoughts were that the float switch was stuck, so I'd have to turn the switch on manually up front to get it to pump out any of the small amount of water back there. I noticed my next trips out, that when I would pick up the boat, the bilge pump would be running. My answer was to take the fuse out to make it stop.

Do you think that I just need a new float switch, or are there other factors I am dealing with?

 

 

I know that I had something else too, but it's too early!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

You should be able to get a prop for less than the dealer. That sounds kinda high. Second, can the old prop be repaired? Depending on the damage that should be less than $100. As far as the bilge is concerned, sounds like something is sticking. Take the pump out and clean it first before you replace it. 

You should be able to get the prop repaired for 60-75 bucks. Mine was pretty banged up and now it looks brand new for 75! Im with Sloan, clean the pump first. It could be simple as that. If not, then the bilge pumps are cheap. Even if you buy another prop, get yours repaired. Its good to have a backup.

Thanks for the replies so far guys...

Here is my prop that is damaged:

https://plus.google.com/photos/105927427685564828363/albums/5853371916836410577?authkey=CIrJzfOF2Ir21gE

Wow...that is banged up pretty good

Yes it is...I've been told by some places that it may be rebuildable though.

If it hasn't been repaired before, there is a chance it can be redone. You're probably looking closer to $100 because of the welding involved plus it will have to be recupped.

Good point. I may see what he says, but I want a new prop for regular use.