I recently had a volvo folding prop fitted while in the water, thought all was ok until in a conversation with a mechanic who said how did we get lock tight onto the locking bolts.
This has caused me a bit of worry and while researching on the net i found a number of videos of divers putting folding props on under water without using lock tight
If the bolts are done up tight do you think i am worring for nothing? Opinions please.
Unless you go astern hard the prop should be hard up on the taper. Normal reversing wont put much load on it.
Maybe i was not clear enough with my question sorry it is the folding blades that i am worried about they have a pin then a locking bolt which is the bit i am worried about
For the short term it should not be an issue (if they were all done up tight enough), just make sure when next out of the water the outermost grub screw is removed to check the inner one is properly set and apply the loc-tite when resetting the outer grub screw.
Chances are there will be plenty of marine growth around the screw area very quickly to keep it all in place as the prop speed/antifoul there would be lacking.
Bornfree-If similar to mine and not the old type Volvo prop which had the small taper fit grub screws, try the following.
Take a 6mm hex key with you underwater and back out the old screws from the hub. The S/S pins retaining the blades should not fall out, unless overly worn. If worried tie a bucket off directly beneath the prop to capture any fallen parts.
Once on top of water,I used the pink plumbers Teflon tape in the interim on the screws.
Obviously wrapping in the correct direction a few turns of the Teflon and then re-attach to the hub until the next haulout will do the trick.
I did try to attach a picture without success, but have a look on my profile.
Best of luck-C.R.
