You have a problem if the boat has a Beta 38 engine, and the original Volvo prop.  The Volvo used a left hand forward prop, and the Beta uses a right hand forward transmission and prop.  Consequently you would be running the transmission in reverse to go forward.  This is possible, but detrimental to the life of the transmission. 

If the transmission is actually a 2 to 1 reduction, you should be using a 16" diameter by 12" pitch right hand prop.  Most of the Beta 38 engines I have installed (over a hundred of them), use either a 2.5 to 1, or 2.83 to 1 reduction transmission to get better performance out of the engine in a Westsail 32, with the engine running in its proper RPM range for optimum performance.

Melodie,

Do not try to repitch a used bronze prop because heating and pounding on it to repitch will almost always cause a blade t break off.  Besides, the Volvo prop is probably left hand forward, and your Beta engine with a 2.5 to 1 reduction should use a 16 x 13 right hand forward prop.