Carver Owners Forum

My starboard drive shaft sheared off. Insurance says it was a mechanical failure so they aren't covering it even though I clearly hit something. I am finally moving forward with the repair but am trying to find a prop that isn't $1700. Any idea where I could find a used or reconditioned prop?
22 X 22RH 1-3/8"

Thanks,
Alan
1993 Carver 350 Aft Cabin

I bought all my spare props on eBay. It may take a while for your size to pop up, do set up a search and notification.
All of them, for my 2807, 4207, pv, and the 3697 were brand me unused.

A shaft doesn't shear off from age. I would put a bit more pressure on the insurance company. You should probably have the mechanic write the quote saying you hit something.

A shaft failure of one that didn't experience an impact is actually not as uncommon as you'd think. They can corrode from the inside out resulting in a cavity within the shaft that slowly enlarges with time. This is a common form of stainless steal corrosion. It sometimes happens with SS prop hubs as well. It usually goes unnoticed because there's very little outward evidence that something bad is going on inside. Usually all you might see is one or more pin holes on the surface and think nothing of it but it's just the tip of the iceberg. Eventually the cavity gets large enough to cause the shaft to snap under load or the prop to break apart underway.

This type of failure leaves a much different tell tale sign than one that fails due to stress alone. A trained eye would be able to tell from the end of the shaft that's left whether the failure was due to stress or the result of corrosion. You'd see half of the cavity in the end of the shaft with the surrounding material looking like it was twisted then torn. I've seen a couple of these, pretty interesting and surprising to see. Both were originally salt water applications, same goes for every prop hub I've seen like this, it's something I look for in SS hubs now if I suspect it's a salt water boat.

I agree, hopefully they got it looked at by someone that can assess fracture failure properly. That is one more reason to fit/lap a prop to the shaft to get full contact area. Fracture failure analysis is quite a science. The previous impact could possibly have been the famous straw.

Also corrosion and electrolysis can play havoc with underwater metals that may have an underlying inclusion.

3 or 4 blades?

I'd also check craigslist.

Even if you get a more expensive one to get you through right now, keep an eye out for a set of spares on Craigslist and Ebay.

I bought my spare set on Craigslist for $300. (YES, a SET).

They aren't a perfect match for the boat, being a three blades instead of my stock 4 blades and they came form a old Chris Craft the owner had already sold but he still had his spares. However, I can't tell much difference in the performance. I've dinged props a couple times mid season and hauling the boat and putting on the 3 blades for the rest of the season is a couple hour job and I never lost days of boating. I gave the main props to the prop shop and let them take their time getting them back to snuff. Before the beginning of the next season I put the stock props back on.

abcoker wrote:Source of the post My starboard drive shaft sheared off. Insurance says it was a mechanical failure so they aren't covering it even though I clearly hit something. I am finally moving forward with the repair but am trying to find a prop that isn't $1700. Any idea where I could find a used or reconditioned prop?
22 X 22RH 1-3/8"

Thanks,
Alan
1993 Carver 350 Aft Cabin

Progressive insurance?

does anyone know how you even figure out what size Prop is required for a 430 CMY with Cummins 6BTA 300 Hp? I currently have 23 x 26 bronze. I have a 1 3/4 shatf but I am uncertain if it is tapered or not? can't seem to find this information anywhere?

If you contact Carver with your hull number, they will tell you what she was shipped with.