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Skipping Boat Propeller Repair Will Leave You Grounded

Your boat’s propeller is literally and figuratively the driving force that allows your vessel to begin any voyage. Yes, there are other essential components involved, a properly running engine, a sturdy hull, the steady hand of a seasoned captain among them, but without a functioning propeller, your boat is grounded. Imagine a competitive cyclist, he trains to ensure his peak physicality, invests in top of the line tires and equipment, but if his pedals fail, he is rendered immobile. Your boat’s propeller will affect many aspects of overall performance, therefore properly maintaining it is critical. Whether boat propeller repair or full replacement is needed, seeking the guidance of professionals is worthwhile.

How to Know if Propeller Repairs are Needed?

Will I know when my boat’s propeller needs repairing? Sometimes, the answer is obvious, other times, not so much. A flat that is torn up falls under the obvious category (damaged or misshapen blades, missing chunks of metal). If damage is visible, then boat propeller repair is urgently needed.

Other non-obvious signs that repair is needed are worn propeller blades. The reason this falls into the non-obvious group is that if the blades are wearing evenly, the damage won’t be so easy to spot. Look for worn paint, unrounded tips or blunt tips.

Previous bad repairs are another concern. Signs of previous repairs may include fresh paint, small imperfections in the blade tip and stamps of repair numbers. Finding these are more difficult on inboard motors.

How well your boat is running may also point to propeller issues. If you notice your boat failing to reach optimal speed or struggle with towing recreational toys, these could be symptoms as well. Using more fuel than normal is an additional indicator that repair is needed.

Small cracks may seem benign but can lead to larger, more damaging ones if not addressed. The same can be said of corrosion. Salt water can eat away at metal propellers. Without proper maintenance it will leave holes and indentations that will render the propeller useless and require a replacement.

Ask the Experts

Understanding boat propeller repair is not always cut and dry. Seeking advice from the knowledgeable independent contractors at Pensacola Shipyard can help you know if repairs are needed and how urgent they may be. As most do not perform propeller work on-site, they can recommend and send yours to a reputable shop to have the work done.

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Not All Repairs are Equal

Not all vessel propellers are the same and repairs on some are more complicated than others. Cavitation can be catastrophic to your propeller. Pressure changes create tiny bubbles on the blade that when popped chip away and weaken the propeller. Cavitation can result in having to replace the propeller entirely. Additionally, if you have an outboard or sterndrive propeller, skeg repair is a serious matter. A bent or otherwise damaged skeg will adversely affect the steering and directional stability of your vessel. Sometimes it may be repaired by welding, but only in expert hands.

Regular Inspection, Maintenance and Repair

Your boat’s propeller is essential. Without it, your vessel is grounded, dead in the water. Regular inspection, maintenance and repair are vital to ensure your boating voyages are safe and enjoyable. Like the boats to which they are attached, propellers and their repairs are diverse. From inboard, outboard and stern props, skeg and cavitation issues, the list of possibilities is wide-ranging and often unclear. Knowing when to repair versus replace can be stressful and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Our contractors at Pensacola Shipyard can help you assess, make the right decisions and even offer guidance in where to send your propeller work to be completed. If you possess the expertise to do it yourself, we have the perfect workspaces for any job big or small.

Contact Pensacola Shipyard today, and let us help make caring for your boat less stressful so you can spend more time enjoying it.

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