Turning a prop by hand

[zegm]

On my Moomba V 2000, i can rotate the prop by hand but its like turning over an engine, feels like there is resistance.....easy in some places, worse in others.(almost like fighting compression)

I can rotate it about 60 degrees with all my strength of both hands applied.

Is this normal?

Or should the rotation be easy to complete with one hand say?

Maybe this signifies a bent prop shaft?

It has been this way for 3 years now, with no effect on the running.

Can anyone turn their prop easily by hand?

You should be able to easily turn it by hand.
As someone who has had a bent shaft that eventually failed (and left us in the middle of the lake at sundown) you should get this checked out. Yes a powerful V-8 will turn it no problem (a slightly bent shaft) but eventually like any metals you are bending it back and forth and one day the shaft will snap in half. Also keep in mind there are bushings in the strut and they may need to be replaced also as the bent shaft is working against them wearing them out also (another NOT easy job to do). If you wish to do this yourself you must be able to remove the engine side flange off the shaft, sometimes it will come off easily, other times you will need a puller or press. If you need these tools to take the flange off then you must pull the motor out of the boat to get the shaft out of the hull as the flange will not pass through the hull and there is no room for the puller. Maybe on a v-drive there might be other options but I am sure it won't be easy. Once you have the shaft off you need a good flat surface to roll it on. You will then see if it is bent.
PS Once the shaft did break the shaft and prop slid back into the rudder, so I had to have the prop repaired also. That was a fun summer!