| The Boat propeller combines many important | | | | weight. If one blade is thicker than the other, |
| functions in a boat. It combines the functions of | | | | thickness should be removed by using a hard block |
| transmission, wheels and tires when equated with a | | | | of wood and 320 grit sandpaper. The thickness of |
| car. Boat prop balancing is very important to extend | | | | the blade from the top to bottom should also be the |
| the life of the propeller and the engine and to cut | | | | same. Placing blades side by side on the prop balancer |
| down the noise of the engine. | | | | will give an indication as to which blade is thicker. The |
| To balance a boat prop, one needs leather gloves, | | | | thicker blade will come down the side of the balance. |
| goggles, a respirator, modeling clay, a good boat | | | | The spin balance should be corrected as a next step. |
| propeller balancer, metal file, a green carbide wheel, | | | | The prop should be placed on the balance with a |
| fine sandpaper or sanding drum, 320 grit sandpaper, | | | | stroboscope. The prop should be spun to see if there |
| block of wood, stroboscope, oiled sandpaper and | | | | are any irregularities in the spinning cycle. Heavier |
| propeller polishing compound. | | | | blades will be on the outer side of the wobble and |
| The first step in boat prop balancing is to protect | | | | this will indicate that the spinning is not balanced. |
| oneself before starting the process. Gloves, goggles | | | | Reducing the weight of the blade to match the |
| and a respirator should be worn. | | | | others using oiled sandpaper till it is smooth will |
| The second step is to correct the dimensional | | | | correct the spinning balance of a prop. Repeat the |
| balance of the propeller. This is done by making the | | | | spinning till there is no wobble and the prop spins |
| blades of the propellers the same size. To do this the | | | | correctly in a circle. |
| blades should be pressed into modeling clay to get a | | | | The last step in boat prop balancing is to polish the |
| mold of the exact size. Using a metal file or a carbide | | | | prop. The prop should be polished to a high shine |
| wheel all the blades should be filed to fit the mold. | | | | using a good wax based polishing compound. This will |
| After the correct size is achieved, the edge should | | | | increase its water resistance and will remove any grit |
| be made smooth using a sanding drum or sandpaper. | | | | or metal bits left by the process of filing and sanding. |
| A smooth angle should lead to the trail edge of the | | | | They also have a smoother surface after a coat or |
| blade. | | | | two of polish when they grip the water. |
| The next step in boat prop balancing is to achieve | | | | Boat prop balancing should be periodically performed |
| static balancing of the propeller. For accurate results, | | | | to improve performance and for reducing the wear |
| a propeller balancer should be used. Static balancing is | | | | and tear of the equipment. A well balanced boat prop |
| making sure that all the blades are of the same | | | | is absolutely essential for racing or speed boating. |