Polishing & Balancing Props
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Polishing & Balancing Props
I have read that polishing and balancing stainless props can improve performance. I have a 496 Mag, Bravo III with satin finished props. I like to get them polished and balanced. Will I see any speed improvement?
#4
Registered
My 260 Chap has a 496 MAG and a Bravo III. Bravo III props are notoriously out of balance from the factory. I sent mine to Brett at Bblades and had him balance them, polish them (for looks and ease of cleaning), and verify/true the pitch across all the blades. He also ever so slightly worked each blade edge. My cruise RPM dropped slightly and I picked up 50 RPM on the top end (which I needed) and 1 MPH at WOT. My goals were to make sure the props were properly balanced, make them look better, not lose efficiency at cruise, and gain a few RPM at WOT. Brett nailed my requests exactly. The extra MPH at WOT was just a bonus.
Last edited by Knot 4 Me; 10-22-2008 at 01:59 PM.
#5
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My 260 Chap has a 496 MAG and a Bravo III. Bravo III props are notoriously out of balance from the factory. I sent mine to Brett at Bblades and had him balance them, polish them (for looks and ease of cleaning), and verify/true the pitch across all the blades. He also ever so slightly worked each blade edge. My cruise RPM dropped slightly and I picked up 50 RPM on the top end (which I needed) and 1 MPH at WOT. My goals were to make sure the props were properly balanced, make them look better, not lose efficiency at cruise, and gain a few RPM at WOT. Brett nailed my requests exactly. The extra MPH at WOT was just a bonus.
#8
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: linwood, nj
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know if the outcome would be the same as on a BB or SB but with my previous boat which had a 300x on it, I picked up 300 rpm after having the prop balanced.
It was a custom prop so maybe it was just so off to begin with. Nevertheless, I've bought brand new, non labbed finished props from Merc that needed balancing almost everytime.
It was a custom prop so maybe it was just so off to begin with. Nevertheless, I've bought brand new, non labbed finished props from Merc that needed balancing almost everytime.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MESABALANCING
General Boating Discussion
11
07-13-2004 02:49 PM