Cord

OK, lets get this straightened out. There are two "Hill" propeller manufacturers. The Chad and Ron Hills are a father-son business. Ron started the business then gave it over to his son Chad. Chad was building props for a while, but has gotten out. Ron is now casting them, but he doesn't offer any rework services. He also does not offer exchanges. I had one of Ron's later props, and although it looked OK, I really wish I had a way to check the pitches. I had a suspicion that they would have varied between the blades. Ron can be a little eclectic at times and I've heard that he has a way with the bottle.

Bronson-Hill is a whole another company. Back when Chad Hill was building props, I know that there was quite a bit of rivalry between the two. I also had a prop that was labbed by Bronson-Hill. I really don't recall anything abnormal about their work, so I would say that it was acceptable. If I recall correctly, they laser etch the prop hub with their name.

Marginmn

Ok, I started this thread and here is my experience with Chad Hill Propeller.

In the spring of last year I had the misfortune of buying a 4 blade prop from Chad Hill propellers. Upon testing it on my boat it didn't give near the performance of my Bravo 1 so I sent it back and asked for a refund.

Instead of refunding my money Hill insisted on sending me another prop so I waited, and waited, and waited, for the new prop that they promised would ship next week, next week - always next week.

After about 4 months of broken promises Hill then stopped returning my phone calls altogether. I then took steps to get my credit card company to demand a refund of the $500+ that Chad Hill propellers had charged to my card.

Well, as soon as my credit card company began the refund process against Hill they quickly shipped out something that resembled a propeller in a box marked "as of this date Chad Hill propellers has ceased operations and is going out of business".

Fearing the worst, I decided to have the prop inspected by a professional before I tested it on my boat. I sent the prop to Precision Propellers here in Indy and it was a good thing I did. I was told that the blades were so unbalanced that vibrations would likely break my drive if I tried to run it on my boat, and that there was NO way the prop could ever be made to work, and that no one who knew anything about propellers could possibly have expected it to work.

It appeared to me that the swell guys at Chad Hill propellers had simply thrown together this piece of junk propeller in order to stall my credit card company to buy time while they were in the process of going out of business.

Sure enough, when I tired to contact them regarding their POS prop they didn't answer the phone or return my calls and emails. Soon afterward their phones were disconnected.

So, if you happen to see Chad Hill, or any of the Hills connected with Chad Hill propellers, please tell them for me that IMO they conducted business with me like a bunch slimy slugs and that they still owe me $550 bucks.

And just now after conducting a Google search of Chad Hill Propeller I see that they have a new web site up and running and it looks like they are back in business.

Funny thing though - I can't find a phone number anywhere on the site. I guess that's one way to cut down on those annoying customer complaints!

If you are brave enough to do business with these guys I sure hope you have better luck than I did.

mmwalters

Ok heres the deal Bronson hill propellers was Ron Hill propellers. Was sold to the Bronsons. Ron stayed on for a while. My guess is he had a no compation clause in the sales contract, hense Chad Hill propellers

mmwalters

Ok heres the deal Bronson hill propellers was Ron Hill propellers. Was sold to the Bronsons. Ron stayed on for a while. My guess is he had a no competition clause in the sales contract, hence Chad Hill propellers. Maybe clause expired by now.