Prop Life??

[SeniorCoot]

Seems to me that the Tiger props on Mub Buddies etc should last a bit longer. They are supposedly made to be used on a Mud motor hence life in the swamp/ Mud/ Sand etc. I'm going on my third one this year and it gets a bit pricey and $200+ per copy. from what i have heard reworking them is expensive and marginal at best?

 

[Wildfowler]

I've never tried to have someone rebuild a prop, I've just always replaced mine. I lost count after # 5. (probably up to 7 props by now) My first year I bought my Go-Devil, I bought two news props for it during duck season. This was before I figured out how devastating sand was to a mud prop. Since then, I have tried to be a little more cautious, but still have to replace the prop every season.

I have a Go-Devil and have always bought his props. I did try a mud-buddy prop one season and will admit that it did last me a little longer than the Go-devil prop. However, it was about 1 MPH slower than the Go-Devil. (not that it really matters on a longtail) This year I have tried a Hopkins propeller. Like the mudbuddy, it is about 1 mph slower on my 25 kohler, but I expect it to last longer than the Go-Devil prop. Currently getting 17-17.5 mph with just me/dog and gear.

I'll let you know sometime in February how this one lasted.

 

[widgeonusbaldpatus]

just a question for you- how many hours are you running a year?
I just put a tiny tach on my motor this year to see for real how much time I am putting on my GD. Just replaced my prop this year after 3 years of pretty good use- the prop was 7 inches when I replaced it, and I probably could have shaved with it.
-WB

 

[SeniorCoot]

If mine was down to 7" I would sit in one place and lisrten to it spin--I haven't looked at hour meter in a while but I use boat a bit- not like some more than others i suppose- I also thought/heard Go Devil was working on sa new wonder prop?

 

[widgeonusbaldpatus]

well after putting the new prop on- It is like having a new boat!
When I bought my prop- I talked to Warren Coco- It seems that all the new props are cast with the cup on them now versus having the cup put in by hand. Apparently they did some some of computer modeling, and the casts keep all the props consistent.
He told me that with my combo- I needed to go down one pitch from what came originally on the motor. He was right- told me what my revs would be at wot when I first put it on, and what they would come up to after a few hours on the prop.
Pretty cool when the owner comes on and talks motor and boats with ya.

I run mud and sand pretty consistently and will post up at the end of the season with prop diameter and hours if that helps anybody.
-WB

 

[duckoholic]

I found it is a lot cheaper to push a boat through sandy areas... I've replaced 3 props and had 4 rebuilt in the past 2 years / Rebuilding is a waste of time...

When I find myself in sand I now abondon ship and drag my boat...

 

[Califduckdogs]

Does anyone know what ppl are charging to rebuild props?

 

[duckoholic]

I used a local Prop Shop Bad Idea...

 

[CUTTERS DADDY]

Had two old props for my PD32 and took one to prop shop in town and he rebuilt it for $125. Looks good and said he balanced it but haven't had to change my prop out yet so don't know for sure.

 

[Raul G]

The sand/marl here on the lake tore up the prop in minutes. I simply don't run in that anymore or as was said, push the rig through the mess. I bought a Ron Hill (Ca.) prop on ebay two years ago for a whopping $70. It is almost identical to my MB Tiger and ran only 1 mph less on my 27 hp MB Kohler longtail, just like Wildfowler's. My Tiger is three seasons old and very sound despite running it in thick glades "terrain" with only a few nicks and still moving the rig very well. The Hill prop remains as backup.