So I took my new prop out and promptly hit it on a rock. I was fishing a lake that is fairly deep and I know to only have rocks right near the landing. Well, normally I use the trolling motor to get out deep and then start the big motor.

Well, my fishing partner got stuck and a nearby neighbor came out and started talking to us. Well, after saying goodbye we were in a bit of a hurry to get back to the landing and of course instead of using the trolling motor I start up the big motor and move about 5 feet before I hit a rock.

Goodbye brand new prop.

I've attached pictures. It seems to run fine at all speeds.

Do I need a new prop, fix this one, or is it fine?

It's definitely not fine. A prop shop can repair it, or buy a new one, but don't run that one until it's repaired or replaced. The out of balance condition it will cause can damage your LU or actually cause the prop shaft to break.

Agreed, definitely not fine! It looks like it can be repaired, or you can buy another new one.

I too think I would get a new prop. You could try balancing it yourself, but I think you would end up with a chip chop prop, better suited to be an anchor.

It's definitely not fine. A prop shop can repair it, or buy a new one, but don't run that one until it's repaired or replaced. The out of balance condition it will cause can damage your LU or actually cause the prop shaft to break.

Way2slow is exactly right.  Do not run it.  Fix or replace.

easy fix

Price/Time/Effort to get it repaired considered you are almost always better off buying new online when dealing with aluminum props.

Buy a new one (check out the Spitfire series), then get that one repaired and keep it onboard as a spare.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

Buy a new one (check out the Spitfire series), then get that one repaired and keep it onboard as a spare.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

This

 

 

props can repaired a couple times before replacing. The cost to repair shouldn't be more than half the cost of new

I have a 13 Pitch Spitfire off of my old 40EFI Merc thats basically new if its something you could use.

That's not a nick or a scratch.  Definitely needs a repair and/or replacement.

Buy a new one (check out the Spitfire series), then get that one repaired and keep it onboard as a spare.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

 

 

 

Why the Spitfire series?

Take a look at Phil's propellers (online) , he is the go to prop repairman and also has great prices.

Your prop is aluminum and easy to weld and restore, you need to determine is shipping etc cost are worth it to you. You can email your photo's to Phil's for an honest evaluation.

Tom

Why the Spitfire series?

 

The Spitfire is a neat prop that offers the benefits of a four-blade prop with hardly any loss of top speed.  On my Tracker Pro170's 40HP Merc, I get excellent hole-shot, hold, and fuel economy at the loss of only 1.6 MPH of top-end speed over the stock three-blade prop.  I think Mercury ships most of the new small-to-mid-size engines with Spitfire props as standard equipment now.

 

The price is a bit higher than a stock three-blade aluminum prop, but much less than a stainless steel prop.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

The Spitfire is a neat prop that offers the benefits of a four-blade prop with hardly any loss of top speed.  On my Tracker Pro170's 40HP Merc, I get excellent hole-shot, hold, and fuel economy at the loss of only 1.6 MPH of top-end speed over the stock three-blade prop.  I think Mercury ships most of the new small-to-mid-size engines with Spitfire props as standard equipment now.

 

The price is a bit higher than a stock three-blade aluminum prop, but much less than a stainless steel prop.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

 

 

 

 

Ok. What are the benefits of a 4 blade prop?

The more blades a prop has the easier it is for the outboard engine to gain rpm/torque, like a bicycle using lower gears to get started. The grade off is losing top end speed after the boat is running on a plane, you can't shift into a higher gear. You can achieve similar results by reducing prop pitch. Unless your boat is having a problem getting on plane due to weight etc, no reason to go with a 4 blade prop.

Tom

Ok. What are the benefits of a 4 blade prop?

 

...excellent hole-shot, hold, and fuel economy...

 

 

Tight lines,

Bob

Take it to Formula Propeller in Rogers,MN if you want to go with a local outfit for repair.

Look for a good local prop shop.  That type of damage is easy to fix for a good prop shop.  Here in Baltimore MD. our local shop would charge about $75 to fix that.  

A four blade prop is smoother than a three blade.  It might not be as noticeable on an outboard, but it sure was on my 38 foot lobster boat.

 

The reason is simple.  With a three blade, during rotation, there are times when there are two blades on one side of the skeg and then it switches to two blades on the opposite side of the skeg.  It will not be as noticeable on smaller props but when you get to relatively slow turning 30 inch props harmonics become a factor.  At certain speeds, the boat would shimmy at the stern.  When I switched to a four blade prop, the difference was dramatic.  No more shimmy.  It was amazing how quiet it was as well.  The old three blade, which was refurbished every year, created a rumble in the boat.  The four blade put an end to that as well.

4 blades are pretty common on Great Lakes walleye rigs