where/how to store spare prop?

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zimm

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My boat came with the origional prop as a spare- what's the best way to keep it in the boat? I'm thinking in one of the storage areas under the cabin cushions. How do I keep the prop from doing any damage? I'm thinking about wrapping a couple towels around it, then storing enough of those orange life jackets in there to keep it from moving.

I also bought a yamaha floating prop wrench so I can change it while on the water if needed.
 
That's where I keep mine with just a towel under it.

Have you ever tried to change a prop while in the water? Better have an inflatable raft and a pair of tether lines aboard.
 
Doc Stressor said:
That's where I keep mine with just a towel under it.

Have you ever tried to change a prop while in the water? Better have an inflatable raft and a pair of tether lines aboard.
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No, not yet. I did a few prop changes dockside on my old boat. It's more of an emergency measure to get back home if I lose a blade in the river. LOTS of junk in the Potomac river. Big thing is not drop anything and to stay afloat holding the prop.
 
It's more of an emergency measure to get back home if I lose a blade in the river.

Isn't that what SeaTow is for, to get you home? :uhm
 
I keep mine under the port side jump seat. I have it slid down beside the battery on that side. I'm not sure how much room you have in there, but my prop fits right beside a group 27 battery and box. I like to keep things like that as far aft as possible. Has less of a chance of bouncing around in there.
 
Curmudgeon said:
It's more of an emergency measure to get back home if I lose a blade in the river.

Isn't that what SeaTow is for, to get you home? :uhm
Click to expand...

Sure, but sea tow has a few hour wait and the day of boating is over. Rather have a spare prop. Like having a spare tire....
 
I keep mine wrapped in a towel and stowed under the port side cabin compartment. I also have Sea Tow. You need to have a spare set of prop washers, nut, cotter pin and of course a prop wrench too.
 
Threads like this have had me think about prop storage boxes. Basically a box built out of starboard that can be mounted somewhere out of the way that you can securely store your prop in to keep it safe and secure. Any interest in something like that?
 
Don't know where to mount a whole box. Yamaha makes a soft "prop case" that looks like a cone shaped soft sided cooler. That would do the trick and it's about $45.

What would be cool is a prop "mount". Like a prop shaft and you can bolt to something and hang the prop on it. The prop doesn't need to be covered, just kept from bouncing around and damaging stuff.
 
either a yami prop bag or "hardline" marine's prop bag. (i bought a pair of yami's for the spare wheels that i stashed at the fore peak locker in the cuddy where the hot water tank is also mounted--rarely do i venture to look in that storage spot).
the yami bag are very nice, snug fit, well made, and well padded, albeit a little expensive.
if i remember correct, the bag also has a small pocket where you can keep parts like washers, cotter pins, etc for that prop change. IMO, short of having a walkable engine bay (large inboard boat) and storage space for a wall mount spot for the wheels, these bags will secure your wheels and keep them from scratching and banging each other or whatever they are stored next to. A one time worthy investment.
check out a few options on eBay which may save a few bucks.
 
Someone from the Whaler (continuous wave) web site recommended storing a spare prop in an old cooler, like an igloo playmate. That also leaves room for prop hardware and a few tools while protecting the prop and things it may bump into.
 
Rather have a spare prop. Like having a spare tire....

Only if you can get the flat tire off and the spare on. You night want to try it, I did and found out you can apply little, if any, leverage on a wrench, cotter pin, or prop nut when in the water suspended under a PFD. A whole different animal than at the dock or standing on the sand ... :wink:
 
I keep a short piece of 2X4 in my rear bilge to wedge between a prop blade and the torque fin. You need to have some means of holding the prop in place when you remove the nut. Putting the engine in gear won't do it.

As long as you're in a river or lake, you can usually limp to shore with a twisted prop and do the change standing in shallow water. I've done that in lakes before. Offshore is a whole 'nuther thing. :cry:
 
Doc Stressor said:
I keep a short piece of 2X4 in my rear bilge to wedge between a prop blade and the torque fin. You need to have some means of holding the prop in place when you remove the nut. Putting the engine in gear won't do it.

As long as you're in a river or lake, you can usually limp to shore with a twisted prop and do the change standing in shallow water. I've done that in lakes before. Offshore is a whole 'nuther thing. :cry:
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I didn't think of the engine not holding in gear. I've only had big block chevy marine motors before- they hold in gear....
 
Well the Yamaha prop bag showed up today. It's a hardline brand with a yamaha part number sticker slapped on the tag. :doh

Easier to just buy a hardline online. Anyway, it fits well and now I can keep the prop under the bench in the cabin.
 
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