Hit something submerged

CurrentSea

CurrentSea

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Sep 23, 2002
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Had a great day on the boat.
Went to visit a friend's house who lives down a canal. I saw going in I had 3.5 feet of water which is low but ok. This was just at the opening of the canal. Coming out, was going 5 mph and saw 3.5 again but this time a felt something bang. Guessing a cinder block or submerged log. Anyway, felt a vibration when I went to power up. Isolated it to port side. I came home on starboard slowly and used port only to dock.

Guessing I dinged prop?
Do I need to haul or can a diver pull prop under water? or am I better off with a haul to check it all out!

Thanks.
 
5 mph? probably just your prop- I'd dive down and inspect to see what it is and if just a prop have a diver do it.
 
Can you change a prop in the water?
I don't have a spare, so it has to come off and be repaired.
Also our water is not crystal clear especially in marina!
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

Can you change a prop in the water?
I don't have a spare, so it has to come off and be repaired.
Also our water is not crystal clear especially in marina!

Click to expand...


Diver can pull prop off while in the slip.
 
Dave why not at least do a short haul and have it all looked over for peace of mind? Still a lot of summer left...

Vic
 
quote:
Originally posted by Rorschach

Dave why not at least do a short haul and have it all looked over for peace of mind? Still a lot of summer left...

Vic

Click to expand...


+1. It's not that expensive and mnuch better to be safe than sorry.

Bob
 
Dive down and hit the other prop with a hammer that way they will both match
and balance each other out. They just don't match right now that's all.

Common sense information and answers come naturally to me.
 
I know a lot of folks say that they have divers remove props. But I just don't see how. I have had my props removed and installed a few times over the years. Sometimes they come off with just a little heat and a little persuassion. Sometimes, the yard needs the hydraulic prop remover with heat and a lot of persuassion. But, they never just come off easy. And just to clarify, it's the same yard that puts them on and takes them off so there's no blamming the last guy for putting them on the wrong way.

I dive. I dive in basically the same type of water as Dave. Sometimes when I clean my props I have to be a foot or two away to just to see what I'm doing.

I'm not saying a diver can't remove the props....I'm just saying that if he runs into any type of issues getting them off, you will be spending money twice.

I'd vote to haul the boat....inspect EVERYTHING and maybe even do a pressure wash and throw a coat of wax on the hull while you wait for the props to come back from the shop. Around here you can get a short haul for a 38 footer for about $200. Add another couple hours of labor for RR of the props.
 
Props generally should come off with a prop puller.

proppuller.jpg


I do mine, it saves taking the boat out of the water. I have a spare set, Dave you should get a set so vacations etc. are not ruined. Around here I don't know anyone who can do prop repair while you wait, so a short haul is at least overnight.

Billy K.
 
I've removed my props and would be impressed if a diver didn't drop a nut or the key when removing/replacing. Also, I ALWAYS have to tap/bang the shaft and usually have to add heat. Both tough to do under water.

I would haul to be safe.
 
Many people advice and have spare props on their
boats. (Me included). But they have the proper
prop puller and wrench?
A BIG crescent, a hefty puller, and good underwater
ability are all needed.
BTW: Antiseize is a miracle substance that many
boat yards just haven't discovered yet.
 
quote:

BTW: Antiseize is a miracle substance that many
boat yards just haven't discovered yet.

Click to expand...

+1
neither have alot of mechanics!
 
Thanks guys, all good advice.
I lean towards the haul becuase my rudders stick lower than my props.
So I gotten image the rudder took a smack too unless I caught it on the edge since props swing wider than rudder.
Hate to haul it, but want peace of mind.
 
Dave, good choice on the haul, get it checked and repaired, then enjoy the rest of the summer.
 
I figure is also a chance to clean up all the running gear.
That will save fuel and cover the cost.

I was wondering if insurance would cover this!
 
quote:
Originally posted by Cpt. Harold

Many people advice and have spare props on their
boats. (Me included). But they have the proper
prop puller and wrench?
A BIG crescent, a hefty puller, and good underwater
ability are all needed.
BTW: Antiseize is a miracle substance that many
boat yards just haven't discovered yet.

Click to expand...


Isn't Anti-Seize composed of a few different less noble dissimilar metals? That's always scared me off using it on the boat. Tef-Gel, on the other hand, has proven itself to be awesome for things like this.

Have you tried the Anti-Seize on the prop/shaft? Did it cause any corrosion issues? I'm curious about this now and too lazy to do the research myself...
 
A good diver should have no problem R&R a prop, but it will take two trips, unless you have a spare prop. Around here a diver will charge you just a few bucks less than what a travel lift yard will cost you so the $$ in not a real issue in deciding what to do. If the yard is close by and has an opening, do the haul out. Be sure and check your shaft for distortion/bending due to the striking. Use a Dial Indicator to check the shaft while out of the water. Don't use an anti-seize compound underwater, use a waterproof grease and spring for a new cotter pin.
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

I figure is also a chance to clean up all the running gear.
That will save fuel and cover the cost.

I was wondering if insurance would cover this!

Click to expand...


To small of a claim, if you are like me, I have a 1% deductible, your probably in for little over 1k when all is said and done
 
I wonder if there's a way to hook up a Cheap Depth sounder or Fish Finder to a pole etc, and point it in a direction to "See" what's in those Shallow waters?
You might be able to find that "Obstruction" if a small boat, squirreling around out in those Shallows.
It'd be just plumb awful if you hit that same "Thing" on the way out after the Haul and Fix!

Those Echo things dont work well in shallow waters when pointed down. You cannot turn the sensativity down enough. BUt what if you pointed it out parallel to the bottom?
 
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