Morning,

I installed a new Quicksilver 10 3/8" x 12 1/2" propeller yesterday and gave
it a test drive. It ran perfect all afternoon. After heading back to the
dock on a 30 minute straight run at about 85% throttle ( 4800 rpms) we
stopped a couple of hundred yards short of the dock to organize and prepare
to dock. When I took off somewhat slowly my motor revved up with no forward
motion. I stopped right away and returned to a standstill at idle in
neutral. I tried again and it repeated itself once more (slipping after
initial start). There was a lot of seaweed and low tide goodies in the
water so I then put it in reverse and backed up pretty hard hopping it would
clear any weeds/sea greens from the prop.

I started up once again and it ran fine this time. I brought it to another
stop and then took off full bore and no slip once again. I did a couple
figure 8's and came back to a stop and did another hole shot. No problem.
Not wanting to push my luck further I headed in. It did feel different like
it wasn't grabbing to the level it was before, basically felt like I lost
15% or so in "traction", but no complete slip (though my heightened paranoia
was assuredly a factor).

We puttered to the dock with no issues idling along and doing a little
forwards/reverse while waiting our turn to disembark. After I had the boat
out of the water off and out of everyone's way (don't you wish everyone did
that) I inspected the prop for any strange damage etc. There was no signs
of seaweed or any fishing line etc.

When I first installed the propeller I paid close attention to the position
of the hub in relation to the propeller (though I could kick myself for not
marking the hub to prop). What was different about the Quicksilver
propeller from my other was that it had a 1/8" snap ring on the outside of
the splinned hub section that acted either as a stop when they pressed in
the hub or some sort of a safety so if your hub is shot your prop doesn't
fall off. None the less, there is now a gap on the hub about 3/8" where
before it was flush. So I can see that the propeller did in fact move back
on the hub.

Ultimately I guess what I am asking is there a seating in period with a new
prop will lock into a location and stay or maybe this prop sat on a shelf
for to many years and has deteriorated. My previous 12 1/2" pitch prop (I
also have a 11 1/2" that has had no issues) did the same basic thing as in
it moved all the way forward on the hub so far in fact as it finally ground
into the rear seal retaining setscrews (no damage to the lower end). So I
do know that they move. Now I'm paranoid that the new propeller is doing
the same exact thing and will eventually back into the lower end as well.
Since I have no way of knowing if the slippage I had was only fowling of the
propeller but I do know it did move on the hub I guess I'm paranoid about
this new prop.

Thoughts?
Thanks
retrojeep