Waiting until you’re stranded at sea is never the proper way to determine that your boat needs a new propeller! Routine checks and preventative maintenance go a long way towards prolonging the lifespan of your parts as long as possible. However, not every propeller lasts forever, and your next boating excursion may be at stake if you fail to see some tell-tale signs of disaster. Beware these 4 signs that your propeller is in dire need of repairs!
Need for Speed
Have you been wanting to carve through the open waters, leaving other boaters in your wake, but your boat just isn’t keeping up with your demands? As propellers suffer damages, they will accelerate your boat less effectively, making it harder to hit those thrilling top speeds. Slow boating may be indicative of a propeller that is in need of repairs or replacement. For example, stainless steel propellers can add three knots of speed over aluminum propellers.
Visible Signs of Damage
Before taking your boat into the water, make sure to inspect the propeller for any obvious signs of damage. These might include chips, dings, or bent blades. Any of these can compromise the efficacy of your propeller and make boating a struggle. During your cruises, your propeller may make contact with rocks and sandbars without your knowledge and cause these damages, which is why manual inspections are key.
Incorrect Pitch
Propeller pitch is the distance the propeller moves forward in rotation. If your propeller suffers from too much pitch or not enough pitch, it can compromise the functionality and health of your boat. If you have too much pitch, then your propeller is essentially working harder at lower speeds, which can create a lot of stress on boat mechanics. Similarly, if you have not enough pitch, your boat may overextend itself as it tries to catch up, which can create costly, long-term damage.
Changes to Fuel Economy
Boat propellers have a big influence on fuel efficiency. If your propeller has been compromised, then you may find that you have to fill up the gas tank more frequently. Fuel waste can hurt your boating efforts two ways. First, you will have to refill your tank more often, which means you will spend more money. Second, it can restrict how much time you spend out on the water, limiting what should be all-day excursions to adventures that are over after a few hours.
Have you noticed any of these things getting in the way of a perfect day on the water aboard boats in Chicago? Then it may be time to reach out to the experts at Great Lakes Yacht Sales for our wide variety of service departments and boat maintenance! We work closely with local vendors who we trust to take care of your propeller repair needs. Review our services today, then give us a call to request more information about boat repairs – we’re happy to help!
