underwater/inwater prop change updated!

sluggo · Post by **sluggo** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 1:25 pm

my friend asked me to change his prop (straight shafts) while his boat is in the water. I am a diver, but have never done this while the boat is in the water( or land for that matter). Any hints? we do not have a prop puller, but we do have a #8 hammer! I'll take any quiedence, and if successful, will give a follow up post thanks!!

thanks for all the good advice. I did dive in the water, when I got down there the props looked fine, I felt them and they were smooth as well, no 'dog'ears etc So we decided to do nothing. I did dive to the bottom of the river to check it out, approx 15' found a 'boat' towel that was it. I guess I can log it as a dive!! LOL
sometimes I think I should just use my spare air to check these things out before dragging my dive equipment down there, but I had fun, and no one was hurt.
Now my buddy cant blame it on the props!!

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 1:31 pm

Hammer underwater

little chance it will be of much help.
I would not attempt without a puller underwater.
I always cringe when I hear hammer and prop removal linked together

EM63 · Post by **EM63** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 1:39 pm

ready123 wrote:I would not attempt without a puller underwater.

+1

How deep is the water where you have to work ?? Just a quest of fixing your tools.
--
Greetings - Heiner

sluggo · Post by **sluggo** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 1:53 pm

EM63 wrote:
ready123 wrote:I would not attempt without a puller underwater.
+1

How deep is the water where you have to work ?? Just a quest of fixing your tools.
--
Greetings - Heiner

probably 10 -15'

EM63 · Post by **EM63** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:01 pm

So - forget about this plan. Slip that vessel or pull it in any area where you'll have a base (without waves).

And borrow some prop puller from your marina.
--
Greetings - Heiner

sluggo · Post by **sluggo** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:20 pm

EM63 wrote:So - forget about this plan. Slip that vessel or pull it in any area where you'll have a base (without waves).

And borrow some prop puller from your marina.
--
Greetings - Heiner

that would be nice if we could do that, no trailer for the boat, no prop puller at the marina (or anything else although they do have dock side water and electric beyond that you are on your own!!)

we are on the river so shouldnt be many waves, although we may pull it over to the bank so we can get a grip in the mud!

hmc · Post by **hmc** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:23 pm

YOU NEVER changed a prop before ? and you want to do it in the water ? I would not do it till you become good on land .

jav · Post by **jav** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:44 pm

Depending on shaft size, how long it's been on, even with a puller and on land- this could be VERY difficult.

In the water without a puller.????? Good luck!!!

I do have one request if you try this... Please film the whole experience and post it on here. If by some miracle your able to beat the prop off the shaft without damaging the prop, shaft, strut,cutlass bearing, hull or your body- perhaps we can use the video to help find the key, or nuts that will no doubt be lost.

sluggo · Post by **sluggo** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:12 pm

jav wrote:Depending on shaft size, how long it's been on, even with a puller and on land- this could be VERY difficult.

In the water without a puller.????? Good luck!!!

I do have one request if you try this... Please film the whole experience and post it on here. If by some miracle your able to beat the prop off the shaft without damaging the prop, shaft, strut,cutlass bearing, hull or your body- perhaps we can use the video to help find the key, or nuts that will no doubt be lost.

thanks and may do that, althoug the Ohio river is a little merky for filming!!lol
the good news in, it aint my boat!! so we shall see!!
biggest thing I'll loose is a few hrs of time

Landlocked · Post by **Landlocked** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:47 pm

Reminds me of doing this in the Bahamas one year. My buddy and I were underwater changing props on my father's 54 Bertram. They were heavy enough that it took two of us, standing on the bottom, to put them back onto the shaft. We were finishing up the second one when buddy starts wiggling and dancing around like crazy.

Seems our standing on the bottom had stirred up the creatures and a little jelly fish had found it's way up buddy's swimsuit leg and was trying to get intimate with him.

Probably not too many jellyfish in the river.

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:42 pm

Prop puller only, under water or on hard. +++++ you will need a large breaker bar to turn puller and a block wood to hold prop.

Good luck

myakka · Post by **myakka** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:13 pm

What is your tide swing and is there a narrow creek near by

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:53 pm

funny you post this, and I feel the need to comment. You deff shouldn't try a hammer. I borrowed prop puller, now im buying one. Wife and I have decided to start a small mobile buisness since I hooked up with a Donzi dealer and he is keeping me steady with side work that pays very well for minor paint repair work! I need to get away from my jerk of a boss. We want to move to Key west FL in 3 years or less also. So we, "while I am still working" are going to try this. The ideas keep coming to mind every day. Prop R&I new or for repair was an Idea. We finally got certified in diving last month. We have came up with every thing from pressure washing and detailing,minor paint and fiberglass repair, under/in water bottom cleaning, new interior design (her) Etc... Just an all around minor service marine company. Hit every boat in every port with flyers and see what happens. Prop removal under water, in a slip with the right tools invested. A little bit of time should be profitable. Things like home made work cages to catch falling parts and light weight underwater human support come to mind but anything can be made possible. Also search and recovery of lost items in the h2o. Had a friend/car client pay someone to dive for a prop that fell off after service last year. Guy found it and charged him 400$ Been thinking about it ever since LOL. Thanks for posting this, just tells me that the demand is out there and im not just dreaming something stupid. Think we try it here and if it works good, we will hand it over to my best friend to run. Then reopen in the FL Keys. Just have to find out cost other guys are getting and cut them off, work hard for less and build the reputation. Wont lose anything at all. Use a puller man, you will damage something or get hurt with the hammer, hate to see that happen....

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 9:34 pm

I'm a diver and I've done this before without a puller the first few times. Never again!! Advisable? NO, get a puller and hammer. If you're going to try without a puller, lock the prop and remove the aft nut, loosen the second nut but don't remove it. Get a large ball peen hammer and hit the prop hub between the blades with the ball end, turn and hit hub again between the next two blades and repeat until she loosens up. It is not easy to swing a hammer under water, and you will hit the blades, just a matter of time. If the prop isn't really stuck, it may come off or you may be there for a long time and never get it off. Hit the middle of the hub only and don't be tempted to hit the forward end of the hub in hopes of snapping it back, this is worse for the prop then hitting the center of the hub. Take more than one tank, it will take a while and you will be using much more air than usual.

As a cautionary note, never do this in a marina unless you know for sure the marina's dockside electrical system is absolutely up to par or that generators in boats near by won't suddenly fire up, and that there are no electrical currents in the water...people die swimming in marinas all the time because of this. As well, if you do this or anything else including swimming at anchor, ensure no generator is running. Number one rule for me when swimming at anchorage with friends tied up; no generators running with folks in the water around us. I know the wiring on my boat but don't know anybody else's.

Good luck.

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 9:42 pm

D thanks for that Post! I read something yesterday about this. Most guys say Leave the port for prop removal if done in water. A swap would be the only way to pull it off for customers since it takes a week for a refurbish. Good to know...a little research and a knowledgeable post like this can save a life.