well we bit the bullet and have bought 2 new spares.
so far we can report all good working with Mike Heller @ Deep Blue Yach Supply in Ft Lauderdale (
www.deepblueyachtsupply.com )
reported 7-8 week manufacture by Radice (which used to make props for Beneteau) and hopefully delivered in time for a spring trip to the Bahamas.
At $4,750 they were a good value compared to two other quotes.