How to try props before buying

[oldtimer57]

I have seen two variations on this. (1) one local dealer used to have a rack of “try me” props. They were an odd color (blue if I recall) and were not for sale. You could leave a deposit (probably equal to the selling price of a normal prop) and take one with you to try. If you liked it, you could return it and order a normal prop in the same pitch/diameter/style… (2) another (now closed) would let you pay for a prop, take it out to test, and then you could bring it back for a full credit on a different size or you could keep that one if it worked well. Some wont buy a used prop any more than they will buy a used boat or car. And dealers can run into trouble there since selling something used as if it were new could be made into a fraud issue. So some just say “no way, sorry”. I can see this from both perspectives, and as in any such issue both sides have pros and cons to consider. Not an easy thing although if I were running a dealership, I suspect I would encourage proper setup by going the exchange route so long as the prop was returned with _zero_ defects.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200

[Bass Cat Boats]

Kinda like this dealer prop?http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCURY- … enameZWDVW

[Bass Cat Boats]

They are not supposed to be sold, though they are test wheels. We are not sure if the test program is ongoing now?

[oldtimer57]

That was my understanding. You could leave a deposit and take one for testing. If it worked, you had to order a normal prop in that same family / pitch, and bring the blue one back. I have not seen one in quite a while, but then again, I havent looked either. Seemed like a good idea when I saw it… BTW, for the link given, that might not be a bad deal. Any good prop shop (or yourself if you want) can polish that thing up, or sandblast it for a satin finish, and get rid of the ugly blue coloring. 125 bucks for a 26p spare prop is not half bad.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200

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