A propeller shield that is designed to pivot over and away from a distal face of a propeller on a motorized boat. Generally, when the boat is at rest or moving in reverse through water, the propeller shield pivots down over the propeller's distal face and prevents accidental bodily contact with the propeller. As the boat moves forward in the water, the propeller shield pivots up and away from the propeller to allow the boat to move forward without the propeller shield causing an undesirable amount of drag or otherwise adversely affecting the boat's performance. Typically, the propeller shield has a shield member, which is sized and shaped to cover the propeller's distal face, and a connection mechanism, which attaches the shield member to the boat. In some cases, the shield member optionally comprises one or more fluid vents and hydroplane surfaces.