How to reinstall prop?

[Steve, Catalina 36 "Uptown Girl"]

I removed the 3 bladed prop from my Catalina 36 with the aid of a prop puller. When I went to reinstall it I found that it would not go back on easliy. I inserted the key into the grove in the shaft and then aligned the keyway in the prop with the key and pushed the prop onto the shaft.I hate trying to force anything so rather than pounding it back on with a block of wood and a hammer I would appreciate advice as to what is the correct method to seat the prop back onto the shaft. Steve Catalina 36 "Uptown Girl"

 

[Claude L. Auger]

Putting prop back on

Assuming you have a tapered shaft, Make sure your key and keyway are very clean. Use some light sand paper to be sure that key fits in key way properly, both on shaft and on prop. Put a little bit of dishwashe soap on inside area of prop (not in key way). Install key in shaft keyway and line up prop. Push firmly on prop as far at it will go. You should be past the threads. Put nut back on and using a large Crescent wrench, tighten nut.Use a lenght of 2 X 4 on strutter and shaft to prevent prop from turning. It should bring the prop as far back on shaft as it will go. When nut is tight, install second one (if you have 2) bringing it tight against the first. Line up hole in nut with hole in shaft, install cutter pin (make sure it is stainless). Good Luck

 

[Steve, Catalina 36 "Uptown Girl"]

Thanks Claude!

Claude:Thanks for the detailed instructions on how to reinstall the prop. They worked perfectly! The boat goes back in the water tomorrow with 1" less pitch on the prop. hopefully I will now be able to reach the rated RPM.Steve