I have always carried an extra prop pin on my Bass Hunter. My thought was if (really when) I break one I can simply replace it on the water and be on my way.

That is not how it went down for me.

Was out fishing Lewisville (put in at Pilot Knoll) and got about 1 mile from the put in. Got in some brush and the prop bogged down, did not want to spin as it was pinned by a large log. Kicked it into reverse...no big deal this has happened 100 times. It will pop free and I will be on my way.

Right away I lost propulsion. Fwd...Reverse... Nothing at all. Pulled up the shaft and the prop was gone. Upon further inspection the pin broke in half. This allowed the motor to spin the prop but not hold the prop securely on the hub. So when I kicked it into reverse the prop being stuck, it just unscrewed itself... bye bye prop.

I carry a paddle but the wind was strong and it did little good. Bass Hunter boats dont paddle well as you guys know. I ended up swimming back to the ramp pulling/pushing my Bass Hunter. Had the water been colder... well that would have been a real issue.

From now on I will be carrying a spare pin AND prop. Learn from my folly guys! ha ha.

Also the NUT is important, some are reverse threaded, so a backup standard nut may not work. If you have any shallow water around rocks on the way out, an aluminum prop spare is much stronger. http://www.youngprops.com/index.html I use a small inflatable and it is possible to launch just about anywhere and sometimes walk back, if you have some backstraps or wheels. I always try to launch from a point that is into the wind or going upstream in rivers, if it is possible for my target area. That way I can coast back and use paddling for steering, if there is a propulsion failure (battery, electrical, prop, etc.). A cell phone can be helpful in an emergency, if you within range of a tower.

OE

I try to do the same Porta as far as fishing up wind whenever possible so just as you said, in case of a failure you can "sail" back.

Just sometimes you roll the bones and take a chance. Also wind shifts. First half of my trip back was ok wind out of the south and at my back. A front was passing and just my luck wind shifted to the west.

Spare prop, pin and nut guys!

Yea, I learned the hard way on the prop loss myself. Never have broken a pin, but when you run reverse the nut ears can get caught in weed/branches which makes the nut easier to unscrew itself. Got caught across the lake by a norther once, and had to very slowly work my way back against the wind, along an out of the way tree protected shore line.

PC

Sorry Dan, but I had to laugh when you said you had to swim pulling your boat. That must have been something How long of a swim was it?

I'm going to have to make a note of that - Spare prop, pin and nut!!!

I agree that is a heartbreaking site.

It was a good way David.

A good 45 mins against the wind and the water was sitting at 60 degrees.

Refreshing to say the least.

You can also reduce the chances of prop loss by using an anti vibration ss hex nut with with nylon backing or liquid thread locker on a ss hex nut to replace the winged prop nut. But you wouldn't be able to remove the winged nut by hand, so would have to carry something like a hollow shaft socket tool. Maybe cut a slot into the shaft end so a screw diver can hold the shaft stationary while the nut is removed (if the pin shears). Some of the newer troll motors are using the hex nut/nylon concept, not sure how easily they are removed.

PC