Propeller fell off - need size and vendor recommendations

Jan 7, 2011
5,185
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
I'm not finding benefits to be worth the cost. Perhaps once I have some longer passages in mind, I'd go with a folding or feathering prop.
I suggested it because they can ship one out in a few days, customized for your boat.

It also happens to be a really nice propeller and has the ability to be adjusted....


Greg
 
Jun 21, 2004
2,653
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
I don’t know the cost of a fixed 3 blade prop. The cost of a 3 blade Volvo folding prop is approximately $2200-2500.
 
Jun 8, 2004
83
Kirie-Elite Elite 37 Niceville, FL
Kiwi 3blade feathering prop. same price as a replacement prop from Beneteau. Per previous post, I'm pretty sure you have a 25mm shaft. Kiwi rep will have all the data to replace your current prop.
 
Jun 21, 2004
2,653
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
I'm not finding benefits to be worth the cost. Perhaps once I have some longer passages in mind, I'd go with a folding or feathering prop.
Any progress with your lost prop? Did you get hauled without a replacement prop?
 
Sep 8, 2024
6
Beneteau 361 New Haven
I ended up ordering from Beneteau. Though it cost double the Michigan prop, they could get it quicker and I know its the right one. The 25mm vs 1 inch came up when ordering elsewhere and the question of tapering also came up, so I sucked it up and paid more for the part from Beneteau.
 
Jan 11, 2014
12,171
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
I ended up ordering from Beneteau. Though it cost double the Michigan prop, they could get it quicker and I know its the right one. The 25mm vs 1 inch came up when ordering elsewhere and the question of tapering also came up, so I sucked it up and paid more for the part from Beneteau.
In the short run the wallet doesn't like your decision, in the long run you will be happy you didn't listen to your wallet on this. :):beer:
 
Sep 8, 2024
6
Beneteau 361 New Haven
In the short run the wallet doesn't like your decision, in the long run you will be happy you didn't listen to your wallet on this. :):beer:
It's a decision I could have made day one, but I shopped around and lost time. We've got a dinghy with a 6hp that will be able to tow, in the right conditions, the boat across the channel into the marina and the marina has a workboat to assist for this very purpose. Apparently several boats are not functioning right now. This apparently happens every winter.
 
Jan 4, 2006
6,950
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
The 25mm vs 1 inch came up when ordering elsewhere and the question of tapering also came up, so I sucked it up and paid more for the part from Beneteau.
And that's going to correct the problem of the damaged shaft taper how ........ ?

 
Sep 8, 2024
6
Beneteau 361 New Haven
It's not damaged that we know of, but one vendor told me that the difference between the 25mm and the inch bore is that the 25mm is tapered and the inch isn't. Basically they said the inch won't work, not only because it's not exactly an inch, but because there's a taper. Thus is has to be custom built. This is what takes 4 months.
 
Jan 4, 2006
6,950
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
It's not damaged that we know of,
Now those are words to live by ................ "that we know of". In other words, an armchair guesstimate as the shaft has neither been seen nor photographed. I guess this means the prop will be hammered on and vibration be damned.

the 25mm is tapered and the inch isn't.
An untapered 1" shaft. A 1 in. prop shaft without a taper ? ? ? And you believed him ? ? ? The taper on a 1 inch shaft and taper on a 25 mm shaft will be of slightly different gradient as one is imperial and the other is metric.

Basically they said the inch won't work, not only because it's not exactly an inch, but because there's a taper. Thus is has to be custom built. This is what takes 4 months.
And you took the word of the most ignorant supplier you could find ?

What I'm getting at here, amongst all the sarcasm, is that you have made no preparation for either the removal nor the replacement of the prop shaft should it be required once you are on the hard.

Do you need to drop the rudder ?
Will the coupling bolts come off ?
Do you have clearance to pull the prop shaft coupling off ?
Do you have room to cut the shaft ?

Looking back through this posting, I see no proof that this is a 25 mm shaft other than what others say that their particular Bene's have. Original owner didn't swap prop shafts for some reason ? Have you measured the shaft within your boat to positively identify its diameter ?


I'd like to be able to get off the mooring and to winter storage using the engine and only have 4-6 weeks to get the new prop on.
Surely you're not serious ? What are your winters like and what would a winter on a mooring be like ? Maybe become familiar with tow boats in your area, just in case.
 
Jun 21, 2004
2,653
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
It's not damaged that we know of.
Once you get the boat in the yard, you will have several months to sort things out. As Ralph mentioned, it would be a good opportunity to remove the shaft and have a machinist check the shaft for any lack of trueness & to lap fit your new prop onto the shaft. Have them verify that you have a 25mm shaft for your own peace of mind. Really shouldn't be too difficult to remove the transmission output coupling and slide the shaft out without dropping the rudder. You can always remove the cutlass bearing to provide a bit more wiggle room to clear the shaft & rudder. Would also be a good time to assess the condition of the cutlass bearing & replace as necessary. If the Volvo shaft seal hasn't been changed yet, change it now. Volvo recommends 5 year replacement interval; I procrastinated & got 15 years out of mine. Also be sure to inspect / replace the shaft seal cooling water nipple that is prone to snapping off because of internal corrosion....that problem has sunk a few boats. Reassemble, check the shaft alignment with the engine & you are good to go!
 
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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,075
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
@StretchCT it has been 6 weeks since you posted about losing your prop. You indicated in your bio that you are new to this sized boat. We are now at the start of the winter weather for you New England sailors.

The info about prop, shaft size, and encouragement to measure what is on your boat to guide your decisions have been shared by the above very knowledgeable sailors. It sounds like you have chosen a path to resolving the problem.

It is time to “Execute! Execute! Execute!”

Get the boat out of the water. Do the measurements to verify your boat system. Do the work and get the boat back in the water before the first freeze. It’s only going to get more unpleasant to do any of this work in the coming months.

Good luck
 
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Jan 19, 2010
1,238
Catalina 34 Casco Bay
You most likely lost it when backing down.. powering forward will push the prop forward. So if you were at a dock on the day that you lost it, it's most likely still there waiting for you ....
 
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Jan 4, 2006
6,950
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
You most likely lost it when backing down
So NOW you tell us where it's sitting.

We were able to sail onto a mooring in New Haven Harbor,
Still have to wonder if the OP used the prop to stop his reverse motion after backing out of his slip. That would have indicated a problem right away.

I suspect he's already made up his mind and doesn't want any further possible facts to interfere with this choice.
Something caused the old prop to become disengaged and that problem is going to remain.
 
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