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Boat prop lock

Printed From: The BaitShop
Category: Head for the Hills!
Forum Name: Transportation in the Outdoors
Forum Description: Trucks, ATVs, Boats, Snowmobiles....Getting there is half the fun!
URL: http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=26859
Printed Date: 28 March 2024 at 09:32
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Boat prop lock
Posted By: BEAR
Subject: Boat prop lock
Date Posted: 25 May 2020 at 09:17
Got a new SS prop for my boat $700.  We have had SS props stolen from our dock; there is and active SS used prop market.

I'd like and anti-thief protection.  McGard makes a standard lock.  But it has a serious draw-back.  the tab nut lock on the mercruiser outdrive must be taken off.  So a fast start could just spin the nut and prop off.  it has been reported.

any thoughts on a DIY  prop lock??/

thought appreciated.


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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”



Replies:
Posted By: d4570
Date Posted: 25 May 2020 at 13:57
No Idea.
My impeller is SS and no one has ever taken it...
My WB propeller is carbon fiber and again no signs of tampering.
Maybe you need a guard to watch the boat.


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Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box


Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 25 May 2020 at 23:28
I don't know anything about boats, but if I remember right their is a nut that holds the prop on threaded onto a shaft?

If that's right could you get a nut that takes a spanner socket or some different tool to take off? I'm thinking most thieves aren't carrying a whole tool box. Find something they don't have a tool to remove. 

Just a thought
Wing master


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I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.


Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 26 May 2020 at 02:27
Right on Wing.  they usually are at night in a 12 foot rowboat.  they would have a prop nut wrench ($5) and a pair of vise grips.  the vice grops are the tool i need to defeat.  looking for a nut with a cone shap with small spanner hole.  large holes give the vise grips a place to 'bite'.

Really no way to stop them, but like to slow them down.


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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”


Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 27 May 2020 at 00:26
I'm trying to visualize that but I dont think I am getting it. 

For the cost of a prop or two it might be worthwhile to stop by the local high school machine shop class. If you gave them some sort of dementions I bet they would make something for the cost of materials. 

I did that one time years ago and had them make a bracket for a race car I had. 

I found out they like donuts. 

Wing master


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I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.


Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 27 May 2020 at 08:10
There are lock nut type lug nuts for auto lugs. Require spl wrench to remove.?????????????????

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Irish Bird Dog

NRA Life/Endowment

2nd Amendment Supporter


Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 27 May 2020 at 08:33
The wheel locks are McGard units.  The special key idea would work, but McGard did away with the lock wassher.  If a prop 'spins off' in the deep, it is just as bad as stolen!

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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”


Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 27 May 2020 at 14:06
Bear, isn't there a type of lock to install on the outdrive/prop when out of the water. Like the a wheel lock they use when you owe a bunch of parking tickets. Seems I have seen something like that before. 


Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 27 May 2020 at 14:10
Like this one




Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 27 May 2020 at 15:03
That looks super for trailering.  lots of props stolen when traveling in motells near the shore.

But I'd have to get into the water to put it on and hake it off.  My swim platform extends beyond the prop, and my boat is about 38" deep.

but looks good.  thanks for the thoughts all.

keep thinking.


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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”


Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 27 May 2020 at 18:25
Oh, you're leaving it in the water. Man, things are rough when they go in the water to steal props. I don't think I've seen that yet. My parents stay on the St Lawrence river all summer and I'm around the water alot. I'm sure it happens, I've just seen where they were stolen when on the trailer


Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 28 May 2020 at 02:46
I'd rather have it stolen at the dock than spin off 4 miles from the dock.  might just add alarge lup of silicon so wrench can't go on easily.  that would let me use the existing lockinf washer on the nut.

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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”


Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 28 May 2020 at 20:10
Dropping fifty feet of rope on it while it's running seems to work really well. Takes hours to get it off if your lucky.

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...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt!


Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 30 May 2020 at 10:15
let me say, that 50 foot of rope trick does work.  I had to underwater work for a friend, who was a land lubber.

On the prop:  first step is to paint it BLACK. Will look like cheapo  aluminum.  Thieves take a quick look with a flashlight, looking for polished SS.
Painting it today.


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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”


Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 13 June 2020 at 14:53
Got the boat in, ran  18 miles at 75% power.  black prop looks perfect, all paint on and intact.   Will fish tomorrowget more miles on it but looks sucessful.

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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”


Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 13 June 2020 at 15:37
Camouflage....good thinking brer bear. Black is also politically correct....BLACK PROPS MATTER or something like that 🤔

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Irish Bird Dog

NRA Life/Endowment

2nd Amendment Supporter


Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 14 June 2020 at 08:30
good one Gary.

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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”



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