Darn Rocks!

First day out today and should have known better. Very windy and choppy conditions. Coming in to load boat noticed beach area was busy (local lake does not have a ramp, just a gravel beach for loading/unloading). Gave it some gas to go around again and wait for things to clear, when heard prop skim bottom. Nothing major, but definite rock/gravel grinding. Very upset at myself at this point, gunned it around the lake to see if any vibration, none noted. Attached are 4 pics of damage to each blade of prop - a few nicks on 2 blades, a bit of a bend on 1.









Will be sending in for repair (assume delta is preferred for acme 4 blade props), but wondering if this can wait till later in the season if no vibrations are noted, or if it should go in immediately.
Hoping this is my 1 screw up for the season :)
Thanks
Ron

Ron, I did the same thing (well sorta) when a gust of wind blew me sideways while approaching the trailer. I put it in gear and the prop hit the ramp lane curb!    Once I got the boat back to Salty's place I was able to straighten the slight bend on the blade that hit using a big cresent wrench and dressed up the small nicks with a really fine file. Boat has run great with no vibration issues whatsoever since then and that was a couple years ago. I did check the alignment when I got home that weekend and it was all good. It doesn't look that bad so you might be able to do the same.

Thanks guys, feel much better. Will confirm alignment not affected, bend blade tip back, then file out nicks and be more careful from now on. Have a spare 3 blade federal I could use as a last resort, but will try and hold out till prop shops not so busy.
Thx
Ron