INSIDE THIS ISSUE

A PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL MARINE PROPELLER ASSOCIATION

The 2015 National Marine Propeller Association (NMPA) Annual Convention wrapped up a successful two-days of what attendees hailed as the right mix of high value educational sessions, product and service trade exhibits, great business-to-business networking, and fun. Currently in its 23rd year, the event held in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 22 – 24 saw more than 100 attendees from across the U.S., Canada, Bahamas, Australia, and the United Kingdom gather for the NMPA’s major annual event.

PAGE 4 Annual Elections Results Read the results of the NMPA Annual Elections held during the 2015 Annual Convention. Members elect new Vice President.

PAGE 6 Convention Photo Gallery See a small sample of the photos from the Annual Convention highlighting the education and information sessions, networking and fun events hosted.

Dave De Witt, president of the NMPA and product/program manager for Mercury Propellers, in his remarks to the members at the Convention said, “This year our goal was revitalization, but still with a strong focus on the mission of the NMPA. This year the Board of Directors brought in Gordon Connell and his team as our association management company to spearhead the changes and we welcome him to NMPA and to the Convention. Thank you as members and exhibitors for noticing the changes we are making and for your continued support. We are committed to revitalization and growing the NMPA!” The Convention featured sessions on topics that ranged from highly technical propeller

Attendees Say NMPA 2015 Annual Convention Marks New Era for 23 Year Old Association

WINTER 2015

PAGE 5 The Case for Propeller RepairIf your customers are asking you the question repair or new and you need a credible answer that backs you up. Read this article, print it out and share with them.

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2 | THE LEADING EDGE

PRESIDENT’S LETTERIt may seem hard to believe, but the holiday season and the New Year are just around the corner. It is a great time to review where we have been and where we are going.

2015 has been a transition year for the NMPA; new focus, new website, new management firm and even a new logo. All these improvements are targeted to help the NMPA deliver on its Mission Statement to you, our members. Our Mission Statement was developed to add value to the propeller repair individual, company, and exhibitor. The organization has a new feel after completing a very successful convention in October and we are not stopping there, we will continue to move forward. The propeller repair, sales, service, and manufacturing industry is a highly specialized and critical segment of the boating industry and the people who work in it are uniquely talented and hard working.

The goal of the NMPA is to provide value to each one of us, whether a small business owner running a propeller shop or a larger company with interests in this segment. You are not alone to navigate this ever changing landscape. The NMPA offers a network of like-minded talented professionals who are willing to share knowledge and experience to strengthen their businesses and their industry. This was very evident during our most recent convention where these networks of shops, distributers, and manufacturers were vibrant. I cannot think of another organization where we would have such a diverse group in conversation. New ideas, new methods, and new products were all discussed. This was a great event and I encourage all that could not make it this year to be there in 2016 (Save the Date: November 10-12, 2016 at The Orleans in Las Vegas).

2016 will also bring more access to training and technical information through ongoing Certification. Be ready to expand your technical and business management skills while also enhancing public trust in the standards and quality of your workmanship and that of all members of the NMPA.

I hope that everyone enjoys the Christmas Holiday and has a safe and productive 2016.

Sincerely,

Dave

DAVE DEWITT, PRESIDENTMercury Marine - Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

STEW FoSTER - VICE PRESIDENT Prop Masters Inc. - Alberta, Canada

MIkE JonES, SEcRETaRyCoastal Propeller Service - Bridge City, Texas

PAul Fox, TREaSuRER General Propeller Company - Bradenton, Florida

SCoTT BAuMAnnBaumann Marine - Houston, Texas

MARCuS ClEMEnTSPower Tech! Propellers - Shreveport, Louisiana

JIMMIE HARRISonFrank & Jimmie’s Propeller Shop - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

lARRy kInDBERGAccutech Marine Propeller - Dover, New Hampshire

RICk lICARERundquist Propeller Tools - Naples, Florida

GARy J. lInDEnLinden Propeller Co. - Dubuque, Iowa

kEVIn MITCHEllMichigan Wheel Marine - Grand Rapids, Michigan

DARREn PRouTy, Precision Propeller Co. - Spokane, Washington

NMPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

nATIonAl MARInE PRoPEllER ASSoCIATIon1043 SE 17th St., Ste. 201 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316p: 1 (954) 880 3588 f: 1 (954) 239 2600e: info@nmpa.net w: nmpa.net

nMPA’S MISSIon: To foster our member’s success by providing training and support in product and technical knowledge, and to promote ethical business conduct between our members and the boating community. To sustain our vision and mission by seeking renewal via education, application of new technologies, and best business practices through association with one another. To provide a nurturing

and growth oriented association which encourages our members to be highly productive and to

grow personally and professionally.

2016 NMPA Annual ConventionSAVE THE DATE: Nov. 10 -12, 2016 • The Orleans Hotel • Las Vegas, Nevada

DAVE DEWITT, PRESIDEnT

NMPA.NET | 3

REFIT InTERnATIonAl ExHIBITIon & ConFEREnCEJanuary 28 - 29 Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Web: www.refitshow.comPhone: 207-450-9943

nMPA oFFICE HolIDAy SCHEDulEDecember 24,25, 31 & January 1Office Closed

Web: www.nmpa.netPhone: 954-880-3588

nMPA AnnuAl ConVEnTIonNovember 10 12, 2016The Orleans Hotel & CasinoLas Vegas, Nevada

Web: www.nmpa.netPhone: 954-880-3588

2016 Date Set

CALENDAR of EVENTSWINTER 2015-2016

repair presentations, to propeller shop business and operations management presentations, to new product and prototype tool presentations. According to first time Convention attendee and presenter Christopher Karentz of S-E-A Limited, “Meeting the members was most enjoyable and the program was very good in all regards. Even though I have a solid understanding of propellers and the dynamics associated with this topic, as an ‘outsider’ to the organization, I was very impressed with the professional attitude, the desire to raise the standards of workmanship, and the sharing of knowledge that the group as a whole demonstrated and were eager to pass on to me and to each other.” NMPA Managing Director Gordon Connell noted, “This being my first Convention I wanted to be sure that the message to association members and to non-members alike was that there is value in being a member of this group; so when Convention attendees say the event marks a new era for the association it means we’ve raised the bar and set a high standard.” He added, “The work now begins to maintain the high standards for delivering membership benefits and value and I look forward to working with the Board and members to achieve the goals set.”

new Date Set for 2016

Following lengthy discussions that considered feedback from Convention attendees, members and exhibitors, the NMPA Board of Directors set the date for the 2016 Convention for november 10-12, 2016. The event will once again take place at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Several factors including other major recreational marine industry events and the average annual work flow of propeller repair shops were evaluated in deciding on the new date,” said Connell. “There are many competing agendas and we knew that any date we selected would have its challenges, but we’ve settled on the November 10-12 date and our plan is to make next year’s program a strong and valuable one regardless of when it’s held.”

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ATTEnDEES PAy RAPT ATTEnTIon DuRInG A TECHnICAl SESSIon

MEMBERS PAuSE FoR A PHoTo DuRInG lunCHEon AT ConVEnTIon

4 | THE LEADING EDGE

ANNUAL ELECTIONS HELD DURING SATURDAY ANNUAL MEETING AT NMPA CONVENTION

DAVE DEWITT, PRESIDEnT STEW FoSTER, VICE PRES. MIkE JonES, SECRETARy PAul Fox, TREASuRER

SCoTT BAuMAnn MARCuS ClEMEnT JIMMIE HARRISIon lARRy kInDBERG

RIC lICARE GARy lInDEn kEVIn MITCHEll DARREn PRouTy

The Annual Board of Directors Elections held during the NMPA Annual Meeting on Saturday October 24th saw one change as Stew Foster of Prop Masters in Airdrie, Canada won his bid for the role of Vice President. Association Treasurer Paul Fox of General Propeller Company in Bradenton, Florida won an uncontested reelection to his executive committee seat, while Jimmie Harrison of Frank & Jimmie’s Propeller in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Rick Licare of Rundquist Propeller Tools in Naples, Florida; and Darren Prouty of Precision Propeller Company in Spokane, WA won their bids for reelection.

The 2015 – 2016 NMPA Board of Directors are:

President - David DeWitt, Mercury Propellers, Fond du Lac, WisconsinVice President - Stew Foster, Prop Masters, Airdrie, Alberta, CanadaTreasurer - Paul Fox, General Propeller Co., Bradenton, FloridaSecretary - Mike Jones, Coastal Propeller Service, Bridge City, Texas

Board of DirectorsScott Baumann, Baumann Marine, Houston, Texas Marcus Clements, PowerTech! Propellers, Shreveport, LouisianaJimmie Harrison, Frank & Jimmie’s Propeller, Fort Lauderdale, FloridaLarry Kindberg, AccuTech Marine Propeller, Dover, New HampshireRick Licare, Rundquist Propeller Tools, Naples, FloridaGary Linden, Linden Propeller, Dubuque, IowaKevin Mitchell, Michigan Wheel Marine, Grand Rapids, MichiganDarren Prouty, Precision Propeller Co., Spokane, Washington

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

BOARD MEMBERS

NMPA.NET | 5

When it comes to damaged propellers, the first question most boaters ask is: “Is my prop worth repairing?” The answer is always the same, “It depends on the level of damage.” When considering whether to repair a propeller or to purchase a new one, boaters need to consider several factors.

One of the first and primary considerations is cost. If the repair costs start to approach the price of a new prop, then no, it’s not worth repairing. The second factor to consider is a critical one: What’s the degree of damage? There are some cases where a propeller is not repairable even though the damage doesn’t look like it’s too severe. For example, if the blade is bent in the root, where it attaches to the hub, it is typically not repairable because it’s almost impossible

to straighten the blade in this area. Another reason that a propeller may be beyond repair is the amount of material that is missing from the blades. The amount of welding time can increase the cost of the repair to the point where it may be more cost effective to just purchase a new one. In the case where the hub has been shifted, or “spun” from its original factory position, and there is significant damage to the blades, then it may be advantageous to purchase a new propeller.

Other factors include this frequently seen scenario: Boaters bring in a damaged prop that was the incorrect one for their particular boat/motor combination and application. In this instance, it would definitely be unwise to repair this prop. Remember, because a prop came on the boat doesn’t mean it’s the correct one. Another consideration is a practical one. “Will my repaired propeller be as good as the original?” Yes, if it is done properly.

When repairing any propeller, care must be taken to bring that propeller back to its original factory design, diameter, pitch, rake, cup, and blade geometry. A certified repair professional will consider these factors in addition to the profile of each blade, its thickness, and the balance of the prop. That’s why it’s important to select an repair specialist that has been certified by the National Marine Propeller Association to perform the repair.

When it comes to repairing or replacing that damaged propeller, there is no one size fits all answer.

The NMPA Association By-Laws were published in the Fall issue of The Leading Edge and brought up for review and approval of the membership at the NMPA Annual Meeting held on Saturday Ocober 24 during the 2015 Annual Convention. Association Managing Director Gordon Connell briefly discussed the process for ammendments to the By-laws and presented the significant changes items being proposed. Following questions from the membership a vote was held and the changes proposed were approved. The updated Association By-Laws will be accessible to members on the website nmpa.net.

THE CASE FOR REPAIRING A DAMAGED PROPELLER BY-LAW UPDATES

APPROVED AT CONVENTION

MEMBERS’ NEWS BRIEFS

HydroComp has a long history of being actively engaged with SNAME, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Since the founding of HydroComp more than thirty years ago, HydroComp staff have presented at meetings, hosted SNAME section monthly gatherings, exhibited at the Annual Meeting, and participated in many of SNAME’s maritime conferences – including FAST, Propellers/Shafting, Marine Computers, Chesapeake Sailing Yacht and Powerboat Symposia, and others. We are proud to announce that Donald MacPherson has been elected to FELLOW status in the Society and was recognized at the 2015 World Marine Technology Conference (WMTC)/SNAME Maritime Convention in November. For the past decade, Don MacPherson has been a contributing member of the H-8 Propulsion Hydrodynamics Panel which reviews research in propeller and waterjet performance. He was also the Chair of the New England Section from 2010 to 2012, and is currently the section’s T&R committee representative.

HYDROCOMP’S DON MCPHERSON ELECTED SNAME FELLOW

by Stew Foster, NMPa certified Member

::: Published in Sept./Oct. 2015 Issue of Great Lakes Boating - Reprinted with permission.

AFTER

BEFoRE

6 | THE LEADING EDGE

CONVENTION PHOTO GALLERY::: VISIT NMPa WEBSITE & FacEBOOK PaGE FOR MORE cONVENTION PHOTOS :::

NMPA.NET | 7

8 | THE LEADING EDGE

2016 NMPA Annual ConventionSAVE THE DATE: Nov. 10 -12, 2016 • The Orleans Hotel • Las Vegas, Nevada

Informative presentations, networking and exhibitor information on newproducts, technology, and updated technical information on propeller repair.

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