Prop Swap - Whooo: Details, Details....a DIY Newbie Adventure

[LaurencetheAdventurer]

So I completed my first prop swap this weekend. Matching prop - will send damaged one for repairs and then have a spare.

There were a few details about this DIY that I have never seen mentioned - so sharing. I should preface that since my Benny is 5 hours away where the typical temperature is 100 plus degrees and my Benny is stored in the lake full time in the summer - figured best to just find a nice calm beach to do the work given how "EASY" it is. I downloaded and read a few installation sheets, including one that came with the new Enertia and ones found on various Mercury sites. I should have spent time on YoutTube! and will follow up with that, but for us Newbies:

1) Have a full set of proper instructions for the prop and correct hub (multiple washers in specific order).
2) You need two types of grease. This was only noted on 1 of the several sets of instructions that I had.
3) You might not be able to get the old hub out, good thing I had a spare. I also noted the coved washer was not flat - probably best to keep a spare or two.
4) Tools: Socket, rubber mallet, dowel or other rod to knock out the old hub, some 2x4's to raise the prop up to knock out the hub, 2x4 or clip to secure prop and torque wrench (though I have read many skip this, especially those with a bit of experience with torqueing down nuts - not much force needed to loosen nut).
4.1) Holding the Prop - most suggest a 2x4, I had a fancy $5 clip - but it took me a good 15 minutes to figure out it went on the Ventilation Plate, not the prop - LOL.
5) I do suggest having a spare hub along with the spare prop. I also suggesting ordering extra coved washers (they re-tension the nut).

Now the interesting part was that the replacement hub (OEM) did not fit the same. It sat about a 1/16th of an inch higher than the original - the end of the hub where the nut is attached was 1/16 (est) lower from the lip (original at 1/32 (est) below prop lip) and the top (engine side) sat an extra 1/16th higher off the prop lip (original was a 1/32 gap between hub and prop seat). Of course I really whacked that hub a few times - it was not going any further. I stopped about a dozen times to check for slip / wobbles - none - so enjoyed the rest of the weekend not worrying about it. Of course for a newbie - this was a big disconcerting. I have yet to remove the old hub to further compare.

After I re-installed the new prop/hub - the rear of the prop was still inset / covered by the lower housing, Once I do get the original hub out, I will compare it with the additional spare HUB I have to see if there are any size variances noted and report back (the first one I ordered was backordered, so did a second next day delivery from another company resulting in two).

Bottom line - it was any easy project, but be sure to have the right set of tools, grease, wood blocks, punch rod, and be aware the hub might not fit exactly and probably best to find a few YouTube videos!!!

A prior comment noted my SS Enertia was an unusual color. I noted that after just one in the water the bright SS Prop turned a dull aluminum color - is this not typical?
And, I noted the new prop did not really improve the performance vs the damaged prop - that was very interesting - though I suspect the prop imbalance of the damaged prop would have eventually lead to some issues.

After all - we do want to maximize lake time!!!!!

 

[BigKahuna]

Good job Laurence! When we first put our boat on the lift I wanted to put a prop lock on our Enertia just in case. So I got the tools and the grease out and took the prop off cleaned the shaft and spindle then greased it up and reinstalled it with the prop lock.

 

[Vikingstaff]

A prior comment noted my SS Enertia was an unusual color. I noted that after just one in the water the bright SS Prop turned a dull aluminum color - is this not typical?

I cannot speak for others, but our SS Enertia looks brand new and stainless steel in color on our 2017 Bennington. Original prop, so 6 years old now. When not in use on the water, it spent its first 2 years on a lift, and the past 4 on sea legs, so the prop never sat in the water 24/7. I guess I just assumed all SS props always remained SS in color…?

 

[Michiman]

A prior comment noted my SS Enertia was an unusual color. I noted that after just one in the water the bright SS Prop turned a dull aluminum color - is this not typical?

LTA, no, in my experience the discoloration of a SS prop is not normal. This is what mine looks like after six years.

 

[LaurencetheAdventurer]

Prop Color:
So I found a few threads that others with SS Props at Lake Havasu all turn grey due to the heavy mineral content for boats left in the water. I will have to look a bit more closely at my next visit - but just one day in the lake and mine went from SHINNY to Dull, my original prop was a chalky grey - consistent with the experience of others - ANY OTHER HAVASU MEMBERS with the same issue?

Prop Hub:
Ok, with a couple of 2x4's, a heavy steel bar and giant wrench (my big hammer was at the lake), I was able to un-seat the hub. Once it moved about 1/2 inch, it slid out no issues, but that first 1/2 inch really required a few big heavy whacks. This would not have been a realistic task on the lake with no solid surfaces! From the pictures below you can see the original prop/hub offset, the offset was 1/32 to 1/16" more on the new hub.

 

[rbtnt]

In our river we get a calcium/mineral build up on SS props. I soak mine in a tub of vinegar for 24-28 hours and it wipes right off and looks new. It also puts a coating on, or reacts with the SS so it does not get the buildup as fast.

 

[BigKahuna]

Prop Color:
So I found a few threads that others with SS Props at Lake Havasu all turn grey due to the heavy mineral content for boats left in the water. I will have to look a bit more closely at my next visit - but just one day in the lake and mine went from SHINNY to Dull, my original prop was a chalky grey - consistent with the experience of others - ANY OTHER HAVASU MEMBERS with the same issue?

Prop Hub:
Ok, with a couple of 2x4's, a heavy steel bar and giant wrench (my big hammer was at the lake), I was able to un-seat the hub. Once it moved about 1/2 inch, it slid out no issues, but that first 1/2 inch really required a few big heavy whacks. This would not have been a realistic task on the lake with no solid surfaces! From the pictures below you can see the original prop/hub offset, the offset was 1/32 to 1/16" more on the new hub.

Can you tilt your motor up far enough where the prop is out of the water when you store it?!?

 

[LaurencetheAdventurer]

Can you tilt your motor up far enough where the prop is out of the water when you store it?!?

Yes, but that just provides for a bigger target to hit - our Marina Dock was build for Max 23 foot boats - so you see all these tritoons sticking out about 4 plus feet past the dock forks. I am ok with a dull looking prop as long it makes the Benny GO!