What is a used prop worth?

[Mikeski]

Hi Guys,

I have talked to a few folks recently about used or nearly new props for my ski boat. It's interesting that guys wanted over $300 for a used Acme 422 or something very close. I just ordered a brand spanking new Acme 422 from Delta Prop using the Planet Nautique discount that will be shipped to my door for $386 charged to my credit card. What I found to be interesting is that guys seemed to feel the used props were worth more than $250. The risk of getting a prop that has been flexed, possibly has unseen damage, possibly repaired, or has been pitted from normal use is pretty high. There is an active thread on this site where a another PN member bought a "new" prop off ebay and it arrived all polished up as it had obviously been just returned from a repair shop. Most repaired cnc props will not perform nearly as well as a new cnc prop, I have experienced this first hand.

Ironically I sold a "nearly new' Acme 422 to another PN member a couple years ago for $250. I also offered a money back guarantee and my prop was bright and shiny just like it came off the store shelf. I thought this was very fair and still do. Talking to a couple buddies with boats the small consensus was the value of an unmolested used prop like the 422 should be between $200-250. I also see many guys on other websites asking more than I paid for a brand prop.

I guess he moral of the story is: check the price of a new prop before you buy a used prop.

[nyryan2001]

I think a lot of it has to do with what props are in highest demand.

try to find a used 2315 for under $400, good luck....they're $575 new if you can find them in stock. Very hard to find, while a more obscure prop would be Much much less as you suggested.

seems like this guy was confused.... Or perhaps not that motivated to sell. Perhaps he promised his wife he would sell to recoup costs for the new prop and wanted to keep it.

[swankster]

I just talked to Acme and the 2315 is their number one seller.

I agree that two issues would drive the price. Supply and demand and how bad the seller needs the cash. I'm currently selling two. I have an agreement on a 2313 at $450 that has been rebuilt once due to loose rocks at a ramp. New it was $685 but I had to have it and paid a premium. Probably could have got it for $100 to $150 less if I had time. The other is a custom 5 blade that was pricy but there is no demand for it. I'm not willing yet to take a huge loss on it, so I'll wait for the right buyer.

Try finding a deal on the 17" for a new G23; it has a comma in the price!

[Mikeski]

I totally agree the 2315 is worth significantly more, there is more metal and more machine time to cut the larger diameter prop. The difference between a new and used prop should still be significant enough to make the used prop worth buying considering the risk and limit on returnability. The 2315 is about $140 more than the 422 so a good used 2315 using my logic should sell for $400-450 depending on condition. At that point the shipping cost and local tax make the difference between it a good deal or not so good.

Yes the 17" diameter props are going to be another big step in cost but a used one should still sell for no more than 75% of new by my rules.

[TRBenj]

What a prop is worth, of course, like anything else, is what someone is willing to pay for it!

I have bought and sold a lot (15-20) of inboard props over the last few years, so I'm tune with what they're worth. Props in unknown used condition, possible damage, are obviously worth less than new ones. If they've been repaired, they're worth less than a damage free used one. Hand finished props are worth a lot less than the CNC ones.

New prop prices have increased about 15-20% over the last 2-3 years. You used to be able to buy that 422 for $305 from delta. I am guessing the price increase is a result of higher material prices, as props that are only incrementally larger in diameter (13" or 13.25" instead of 12.5") are priced over the $400 mark now.

For an as-new 422, $250 is not an unreasonable price, but it's toward the low end of the spectrum. Something with very little run time, coming from a trusted source, will usually command a little more... $275-300 is about right. That's still 20% less than new. Whether that's a good deal to you or not comes down to personal preference- just like buying a new car vs. one that's a year old that is good as new, but has taken the depreciation hit already.

[swc5150]

I'll tread lightly with my response, since he's not a site sponsor, but Jody Seal is a great resource to talk new and used props.

[DanielC]

I think the real discussion should be what is a dollar worth compared to two or more years ago.

More than a grand for G23 propeller? That is still less than 1% of the boat price.

[TRBenj]

Oh, and one more tidbit regarding used props... I have found that the chance of getting a "dud" are actually pretty low. At least thats been my experienced. Ive bought a number of props from a wide range or sources- CL, ebay, forums like this, etc... and I can only think of one or 2 that didnt perform as they should.

Regarding repaired CNC props, they do command less $$ than a nice, original one, but that doesnt mean they will perform any worse than they did originally. Obviously some hack with a hammer and a grinder could do a lot to wreck a prop, but a capable shop wont. High end shops with expensive measurement equipment can actually improve a prop (even a CNC one) beyond the factory tolerances. Even a good "normal" prop shop with the proper pitch blocks and competent techs are fully capable of returning a prop to original condition. Acme (who farms out their repairs) and Delta both do a fine job of repairing CNC props, in my experience. Ive got a repaired Acme on our Barefoot Nautique and it has no problem pushing the boat to 65.

[Swim]

A weekend on the lake. When I swapped my OJ over to the Acme 422, I stuffed the OJ in a bag with the needed tools to replaced it if needed. That to me is worth more the $300.... believe me, I've had to swim a friends boat almost a mile when he lost a prop due to his wife backing the boat into a log... it's a great workout for someone like me that swims 6 days a week... but it still isn't as much fun as skiing the course.