Prop hangs lower than trailer prop guard

[nukemustang]

When I was swapping props, I noticed that my props (both the 13.5" I replaced and 14.5" new one) actually project down lower than the rear prop guard on the trailer. There is probably about 10-12 inches that the prop is in front of the prop guard. Does anyone else's trailer set up similar?

I image as I back the trailer down the boat begins to float, and the prop clears the guard, but it is something I never really noticed until last night.

Thanks!

[Tallredrider]

Take a picture. I have not seen any boats that do that. It means that if you have a very shallow ramp and try to power load or unload, you are going to hit the guard. Not good.

Clarify what you mean by '10-12 inches in front' of the prop guard. Your rudder should be protected by the prop guard too, and not exposed to the road, meaning it is normal for the prop to be in front of the guard, but it should be able to clear the prop without floating above the bunks as the boat moves forward on the trailer.

[nukemustang]

As soon as I get home I will. Right now the rudder blade is directly above the prop guard. There is no bar that runs forward-aft from the prop guard to the next cross-member, so the prop kid of sits in a "hole."

[MTRBTR]

I had a MC Prostar 190 that did this on its trailer. It was a 3 blade prop so I always turned it so that the 3rd blade was straight up which gave a little more clearance.

[Paxdad]

On my Prestige trailer the clearance between my prop and the trailer when loaded is only about 1.5". I deep load my boat since it has a colored hull. Although it is close I never worry about it, although some of my friends have commented on how close it is. The only way to gain more clearance in my case would be to double up on the bunk boards or cut and re-weld the bunk brackets. I have attached a photo for reference but does not show how close the prop is in reality.

[First226]

On my 2005 226TE, the clearance is only .5". I was limited to a 14" prop for this reason. I have a Dorsey trailer.

[nukemustang]

Whew.. It maybe fuehrer than I thought... It depends on what angle you look at it, and my trailer jack is all the way down to fit the tower under the door, probably making it look worse. Now that I broke out the yard stick I might actually clear it by about 1/2 at most. Glad to know I'm not the only one that's close

[Paxdad]

I measued mine and was way off. It is more like .50 inch

[Tallredrider]

I see what you mean. I do wonder if you hit a speed bump if the prop could then hit the bump after the axle cleared it. This is a single axle trailer?

Don't forget to tighten your nut before you go to the lake!

[NautiqueJeff]

Do you realize your prop nut is about to fall off? Hopefully this was taken while you were changing the prop.

[Rauser]

When I was recently looking to buy a boat there was a 2000 super sport that the prop was pretty much touching the guard. I noticed that the bunks had adjustments on them but they were pretty much maxed out to the highest they would go. Needless to say I walked away quietly.

[nukemustang]

Do you realize your prop nut is about to fall off? Hopefully this was taken while you were changing the prop.

Yes, but thanks! I was in progress of swapping the 645 for the 1235 I picked up from Delta. When I was pulling the 645 off is when I looked and thought this doesn't clear this by much!!

I see what you mean. I do wonder if you hit a speed bump if the prop could then hit the bump after the axle cleared it. This is a single axle trailer?

I never thought about the speed bumps!! Its a tandem trailer and oddly enough, I have never had this prop guard drag on the ground. I think this trailer is sitting "taller" than the last one I had. The MC trailer I had had those roller wheels on the crossbar and they used to drag on a lot of things.