prop replacement

[knotflying]

Well, so much for our protective skeg thread. I got pushed by the wind up against a rock underwater and dinged the prop. I carry a spare, so I pulled the boat and pulled the prop. My question is on the re-installation. I got it back as far on the shaft as I could. I tightened the retaining bolt and then tapped around the perimeter with a hammer and block of wood and continued to tighten the bolt. I can't snug it up anymore, but it does not seem to be as far back on the shaft as the original. Does anyone have any comments or advice?

Thanks,
Mike Rizzo

PS. I used the Pro Pull 103 Prop Puller and it worked great.

 

[GulfSailor]

Well, so much for our protective skeg thread. I got pushed by the wind up against a rock underwater and dinged the prop. I carry a spare, so I pulled the boat and pulled the prop. My question is on the re-installation. I got it back as far on the shaft as I could. I tightened the retaining bolt and then tapped around the perimeter with a hammer and block of wood and continued to tighten the bolt. I can't snug it up anymore, but it does not seem to be as far back on the shaft as the original. Does anyone have any comments or advice?

Thanks,
Mike Rizzo

PS. I used the Pro Pull 103 Prop Puller and it worked great.

Yes, take the prop back off. Now look carefully at the shaft and see if there are witness marks made by the original prop indicating its position on the shaft. Replace the original prop and see if it returns to its original position, making sure the key is properly located in both the shaft and the prop.
When it's back in its original position, mark the shaft with a Sharpie pressed tightly against each end of the prop.
Remove the prop, and taking care with the locating key, refit the new prop.
When you look at its position you'll be able to see exactly how it's positioned in relation to the original.
If there is any discrepancy, first measure the distance between both faces an both props to see it they're the same length.
If they are equal then it's possible that the taper in the bore of the new prop doesn't match that of the shaft.
However, if you're lucky you'll find that it was just your imagination playing tricks on you, and that the replacement prop is positioned exactly where the old one was.