Prop Replacement Advice

[FWA]

I've been putting off getting the prop on my Honda 135hp replaced. I/the boat (Lund 1800 Fisherman) ate some rocks on Pool 4 last October. I'm very new to boating and boats, in general, so any and all advice is very much appreciated!

Here are my questions:

1. In general, how much would getting a new prop cost at a marine shop (ordered + installed)?

After searching on the net, I've found some places selling new props. I'm thinking of just buying a new prop + hub kit and doing it myself. I've worked under the hood of my car (a little beyond oil changes), so I have plenty of tools and feel somewhat comfortable working on the outboard. However, I'm confused about diameter and pitch. The boat is at my brother's house, so I can't check on the actual specs right now. From what I can remember from last fall, the boat's max speed ~ 38 mph and WOT was around ~5500 rpm's.

2. Should I get a prop with larger/smaller diameter and larger/smaller pitch?

3. Is it worth it to order a service manual? (Honda Marine sells them through helminc.com for $115, and I'm leaning towards ordering one anyways.)

4. How tough of a job is this and how long would it take?

Again, any advice or suggestions (people, shops, or online retailers) is appreciated. Thanks!

[Wade Joseph]

Replacing the prop is easy. Its a cotter pin and the prop nut. Make sure you do not loose the washers or spacers if there are any. Also insure you put them back on the way they come off. As far as size goes, it depends on what your trying to achieve. If you were happy with the performance with the prop it had, then just replace it with the same diameter and pitch. The diameter is something that you cannot change too much as the motor will only allow for a certain max dia. Addtionally, if you tore it up on the rocks, I'd have it checked by the shop to insure you didn't damage the gears or bend the prop shaft. If this is bent and you don't get it fixed, it will tear up the entire lower unit.

One last thing. You do not want to exceed the max rpm for the motor. For every inch of pitch you go down, the engine will run approx 200 rpms faster, every inch you go up will slow it down approx 200 rpm.

Hope this helps.

[Northlander]

Call Jay Soderbloom and ask him all your questions. While your on the line buy a new prop from him if needed. His prices are very hard to beat and great/fast service.

He is a site sponsor and knows his stuff. www.soderbloom.com

[logon648]

FWA

This will give you some general Information about propellers and how they work. Click on this link then on propellers 101

http://www.soderbloom.com/propellers.html

[FWA]

Thanks for the site info and advice... I will get the boat & motor in for a check!