Glen-L.com

Hi Folks

Here's a question from a guy who boats in outboards and sterndrives in an area where prop rock strikes are a fairly regular occurrence due to the nature of the area, (Pointe au Baril, Ontario) Someone in our family seems to ding a prop or destroy a lower end every couple of years. It is common practice to raise the prop as we traverse unknown water.

I am eyeing a Belle Isle 23, an inboard with a 21” draft. I accept that my boating activity with this boat will need to be more conservative and careful, and restricted to charted waters. But if by chance I do strike a rock with the prop/rudder... what are the implications. A bent prop is no big deal. The next level of strike, lets say bent prop shaft and rudder. Does this kind of incident typically require replacing/repairing hardware ( lets say $2000?) or does it often involve damage to the mounts requiring significant hull repairs? I’m trying to assess my risk of this kind of boat in the waters where I play.

SteveZ
(new member)

I would definitely stick with aluminum props to minimize engine damage. I've only hit one thing (a submerged log) back in 2007. That was with my brand new 115HP Merc outboard. Lucky for me, I had an aluminum prop instead of the stainless steel one I almost bought. With a stainless prop, the engine damage would have been significant but instead it only cost me $150 for a new aluminum prop.

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One of the members here struck a rock with his Monaco.

He damaged the prop,shaft was bent, and it cracked the strut.

I think he was able to have the prop and shaft reworked(maybe not,can't remember) but the strut had to be replaced.

I helped him replace the stuff.

No damage to the hull or anything else.

Don't know how fast he was going.

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Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
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Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

I recall Hot Rod hit a turtle at high speed and took off his rudder cleanly. There was no damage to his boat

I have seen an inboard actually beach on rocks only causing the strut and prop to bend.

So my gut tells me that unless you hit extremely hard and not just a glancing blow that the damage will be confined to the hardware

There are also shields you can install that will help keep the prop off of rocks in all but hard hits

_________________
Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

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Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

Can't help you with your question, but want to say hi from a displaced cannuck in Raleigh, NC - originally from Sudbury area just north of you. I can vouch for your concerns, my home lake is about 5 miles in diameter, over 200' deep in many places, but if you don't know the lake- shoals over 100' off shore can tear your bottom end off. Hoping to complete my Zip and get it up 'north'.

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I am going to probably get bitten again but have you considered at fish finder a good one that give you the height of the bottom. I believe Dave Lott was surprised when he found the lake his boat is on has massive trees under water and that some are close to the surface. Of coarse my memory isn't what it used to be and could have been somebody else

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Modified Jubilee-"Wild Flower" 40' house boat
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32' Supper Huck- Wild flower 3

Rod H

I have more problem dragging my prop on the ground with my trailer. (Still need to get some protective framing added)

I had a prop shaft straightened (less than $100) and props hammered out (sometimes by a pro, sometimes myself).

I also cracked some of the sealant around the strut, and needed to re-seat that.

Generally, no big deal. All repairable, for not much $$$.

(Your boat will look great at Pointe au Baril!!!)

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Bruce.

~~ Do what you love, and love what you do. ~~
~~ To me - only my boat is not yet perfect. Everybody else's is to be admired for I know the path they have walked (Dave Lott, 2010) ~~
Dow's Monaco Project