Stern Drive Hit Rocks..Advice Needed
Hi gang...hope you can help with some advice as i hope I haven't ruined
the rest of the summer for the family! I was just throttling down and
coming out of plane at about 18-20mph when the bottom fin and aluminum
propeller on my stern drive Mercruiser 4.3 Alpha stared hitting some
boulders that were sticking up from the bottom. The fin now looks like
it may be bent a slight bit and there are numerous small bends in the
prop fins and a few chips as well. I have switched out the prop and
tested it out and do not feel any vibration..seems to be running fine,
but I am concerned that I should have it inspected and not be running
it....have my test runs already done damage? Is it ok that the fin is
not completely straight? |
Mike
Aug 20
2006
|
| Well I am feeling a lot better about things from all your advice. I
also went to see my Mercury service shop today and he talked me into
sticking with the aluminum, so I ended up buying the same prop that I
had..setting me back about $300cdn. His argument was that if i had
done the same thing with a stainless prop, i would likely be paying him
a ton more to check the leg and possibly more due to the shock since
they have little give when they hit something. He also confirmed that I should not worry about a small bend in the
bottom fin of the leg (can't remember the name he used for it) unless I
was having steering problems. Thanks again everyone! |
Mike
Aug 21
|
| Uh. Well, while such an accident can happen to anyone, I wonder: don't you
fellas have charts and depth finders? Not that everything on the bottom
is listed, but you'll sure improve your odds if you have some
familiarity with what's down there before you head in or over. |
Harry
Aug 21
|
| You didn't whack it hard enough to do serious damage. I agree with
Bogus, if it bugs you have it straightened after the season is over -
in fact, watch how the mechanic does it - it will give you some faith
in the strength of the skeg. You did the right thing with the prop. Harry mentioned getting some charts that may or may not be available
for the area you boat in. My advice is to take your boat out for the
day all by yourself and learn the area you boat in - make little
mental notes of where it's shallow and where it's not shallow.
Remember the depths will change throughout the boating season so
getting familiar with any area will take some time - at least you can
note the major problem areas. Get a depth finder. |
Shortwave
Aug 21
|
| Good advice from others already. I will only add that you can get a skeggard cover for the skeg if it looks
pretty nasty after being straightened. http://tinyurl.com/s4g3w |
Aug 21
|
| I shreaded my skeg before. Took a good 4 inches off it and completely
destroyed my prop. I had both rebuilt for about $350.00. The bad part
of that mishap was that when I hit bottom I cracked the water jacket
(1976 Merc 115). It's amazing how they can build those things back up. Jesse |
jesse
Aug 21
|
| Thanks for the advice guys...I have memorized the lake charts, but they
failed to include the massive boulders on the bottom in this spot...and
I had just turned my depth sounder on as I was coming into this area
that was new to me, but it was just a second too late. Water is really
low this year, so it is not normally a dangerous area. The prop I am using right now is a borrowed stainless 4 blade 21P
(previous was 2 blade with 23P) and I think I am in love...sure notice
the power difference and it has made me want an SS prop, other than the
thought of having to replace it if I do this again. I don't really
notice a steering difference with the bent fin. Should I be repainting
over the scratches that were made? |
Mike
Aug 21
|
| It's always a good idea to scope out the area slowly anyway. There |
Shortwave
Aug 21
|
