Why You Should Remove Your Propeller Regularly: Protecting Your Lower Unit from Hidden Damage

If you’re a boat owner, routine maintenance goes a long way in protecting your investment—and one small but crucial task often gets overlooked: removing your propeller throughout the season.

You might be thinking, “Why bother if everything seems fine?”

Here’s the answer: fishing line. It’s silent, sneaky, and surprisingly destructive when it finds its way behind your prop.

The Hidden Threat: Fishing Line and Lower Unit Seals Whether you fish or not, there’s always a chance of picking up stray line in the water. When that line wraps around your propeller shaft, it begins to work its way into the seal where the prop shaft meets your lower unit. Over time, this creates a groove or wear point in the seal—and when that happens, it compromises one of the most critical barriers in your engine.

The result? Water infiltrates your lower unit gearcase, mixes with your gear oil, and starts causing serious internal damage. What could’ve been a simple check-up becomes a full-blown repair or rebuild.

What You Should Do

We recommend removing your propeller at least once or twice per season—especially mid-season and at the end—so you can inspect for fishing line or other debris. While you’re at it, it’s a good opportunity to:

• Check for signs of gear oil leakage

• Apply fresh marine grease to the shaft

• Inspect the prop & prop hub for nicks, bends, or wear

 Let Ark Marine Help

If this sounds a little out of your comfort zone—or you just want peace of mind—Ark Marine Company is here to help. We offer quick prop inspections and lower unit checks as part of our regular maintenance services. It's a small step that can save you from big repairs later.

Protect what moves you. Let’s keep your lower unit sealed, safe, and running strong—season after season.

Book your mid-season check-up service today.

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