Technical Guide for an Underwater Propeller Repair
A propeller is an important part of the boat. It increases
the overall performance and extends the engine lifetime. Normally, a propeller
damages when they hit an obstacle. Whenever you take the boat out on the water
carry a spare propeller with their required tools. The boaters must learn the
basics of the propeller and able to replace the propeller in case of emergency.
A certified propeller repair technician has the ability to work with design,
manufacturing, developing, testing and support.
Propeller Hub
The general defect occurred from a
propeller hub is slipping. Using a slipping hub affects the rotation speed of
propeller and simultaneously the speed of the boat decreases. To repair the
hub, look for deviations and fit in the same line where the propeller housing
ends.
Diameter - The diameter of the hub
varies from 0.20 to 0.25 inch and it is bolted with the tailshaft present at
the flanged end.
Level of oil - To prevent the
leakage of water into the hub, it is filled with pressurised oil. Therefore the
pressure occurs inside the hub is higher than outside. The oil level should be
constantly noted and when decreases it should be refilled. The pressurised oil saved
in the gravity tank located above the water line.
Propeller Balance
After finishing all repairing
works, propeller balancing is must and it should be done only by a certified
technician. It will reduce or completely eliminates the vibration occurs in the
propeller. If the propeller is not balanced properly, it will put the engine
and the propeller at risk. Propeller balancing is of two steps.
Horizontal balancing - To obtain
horizontal balance, a coaxial hole is drilled at the end of the blades. The
lead is added from one end through these holes and joined in the other end. The
size of the hole in both ends should be the same.
Vertical balancing - To obtain
vertical balance, an eccentric hole is drilled near the external blade surface.
The size of the hole can be a maximum of 1 inch in diameter.
Repairing a Propeller at Emergency Situations
When a propeller hits an obstacle
and the boat stop running, the old propeller must be replaced with a spare
propeller. For that, carefully loosen the nuts using the screwdriver and remove
the old propeller. Place the new spare propeller by reversing the same process
and recheck all the nuts fitted and tightened. This process is only for
emergency purposes to get back the boat immediately to the nearest shore. When
reached the shore, get help from some technician to repair it completely.
Repairing a boat propeller with a
certified technician can save time and cost low. They will do their job better
because they are already undergone and experienced similar or the same problems
and have special tools to work in the task. Repairing yourself, the propeller
may ends in the same repair again and one needs to spend extra cost to get
repaired it again.
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