Why You Should Check Your Boat Propeller

When we get our boats ready for the 2014 boating season, there are plenty of things that we will check first before the boat propeller. However, few things are more important on your boat than the propeller and how well it will stand up for the upcoming season.

Check your Propeller

Before putting your boat back in the water, it is important to do a visual check of the propeller. Look for any dings or scratches on the propeller that may have been caused from striking objects under the water or that were resting on the surface of the water. Even if you don’t see anything visually wrong with your propeller, you should have its props rebalanced on a regular basis – based on the size of your boat and the propeller manufacturer’s instructions.

Why It’s Important to Repair your Propeller

While your boat’s propeller may appear to run fine with a tiny dent or ding, the propeller is making small unnecessary vibrations on your boat that can cause early wear on your gears and bearings in your outdrive or lower units. Unbalanced props  can do the same kind of damage from unnecessary vibrations, and they can become unbalanced even if your propeller doesn’t hit anything.

How Can I Repair it?

If you don’t have experience with boat repairs yourself, and if you don’t have the necessary equipment, it is best to leave it up to a professional. Trying to repair it yourself may amplify the ding or dent, or lead to additional damage to other parts of the outboard engine. Take some photos of the propeller and bring them into a propeller service and repair shop like Steve’s Custom Props. They can identify the make and model of your propeller and reference molds to repair your propeller back into top performance shape.

Protecting your Boat from the Dock

While docks keep our boats in one place, they aren't always friendly to our boats. On a wavy or windy day, your boat can be knocking and scraping up against a dock or a public dock and doing significant damage. It can all be easily avoided however if you have the proper equipment to prevent dock damage. We’ve highlighted a few items that your boat should be equipped with to ensure that you don’t run into that problem.

Boat Fenders

These are likely the most important protective gear that your boat should have. They act as cushions attached to your boat that you can throw over the side where you would expect your boat to bump into a dock or another hard place. of your boat assist One of the most important and basic parts of your boat’s protective equipment are your fenders, so when should you always use your boat’s fenders?

• Pulling Alongside a Dock - As you approach a dock, you should be sure that your fenders are out and properly in place.
• Rafting with Other Boats - If you’re frequently joining boat parties on the sandbar, you’ll definitely want to make sure that your fenders are in place so you don't do any damage.

One Inch per Five Foot Rule

Boat fenders come in all shapes and sizes, and you may not know what size to get for your boat. A common rule of thumb used to determine the proper size fender for your boat by following the 1 inch per five foot rule. For example, if you have a boat that is 20 feet in length, you should use fenders that are four inches in diameter at a minimum.

Fleece Fender Covers

If you want to ensure your boat fender covers last as long as possible and does as little damage to your boat, you should consider also getting a fleece cover for your fender. Sites like Maine Coast Marine Products offer customizable fender covers that help protect your boat’s gelcoat, awlgrip paint, boot stripe and the fenders themselves.

Rub Rail

Your boat may already be equipped with proper rub rails, or your boat may not be appropriate to use rub rails, but you can easily install a rub rail along the side of your boat to protect it from nicks and scratches from being attached to a dock. Even if your boat has a rub rail, you may consider upgrading to a new higher quality one during the off season.

Vertical Dock Poles

If you park your boat alongside your dock on a frequent basis, and your boat rail rides above the dock, you’ll likely find that your boat fenders have to do all the work in protecting your boat from damage from the dock. You can solve that problem by adding a few vertical poles with a protective vinyl material or cushion that are attached to the dock. There are many ways to go about doing that - Cottage Life put together a nice video on one easy DIY method.