Hit Some Rocks, Ouch

Woody

Well-Known Member
Nov 20, 2007
9,349
N. Wisconsin/Lk Superior
Boat Info
2005 420DA
Engines
Cummins 6CTA8.3
Over the holiday we took a trip up to Thunder Bay Canada. On the return trip I decided to go to Isle Royale to check out a couple locations for possible anchorage and some kayak fun.

I was idling along in about 10' of water, things were going fine until I tangled with a boulder or two. Trashed the port prop and minor damage to the other. When it hit the port engine was killed, instant stop. I was unable to get it started, not a peep from the starter, it's as if no power is applied to it.

I have the ZF 280 IV transmission. From the prop I can turn the shaft either way. If I rotate the shaft quickly from start, one direction to the other it feels like I'm turning some gears, it feels normal. I am definitely turning the output shaft in the housing, verified visually. The engine died instantly while in gear, could a neutral safety be preventing engine start. The transmission shift solenoids themselves function but with out it running they aren't accomplishing anything, wouldn't I need oil flow?

I dove under the boat(I sure can't hold my breath like I used to, had to come up about 10 times in order to look the whole bottom over), it doesn't appear that the hull made any contact. Struts, shafts, rudders look OK, rudders turn lock to lock properly, no leaks at all into bilge.

I ended up running down the north side of Isle Royale and across Lake Superior on the strbd engine. The autopilot was steering hard to strbd, I dropped the tab on that side and it helped. Luckily the forecast of 2-4's had changed and the lake was virtually flat. I don't know if I could have stayed on course with that size on the beam.

We made like a trawler, 8 knots for 11.5hrs and pulled into the slip at 3am. What a experience trying to dock, at 8 knots I could steer it, at idle all it wanted to do was go in a circle.

So the port engine was killed instantly and won't start. Any thoughts on this and anything else, possible damages to engine/transmission....your thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.
 
Insurance claim?
Yes I think so, props, at least the port shaft pulled and checked, check alignment. Will know more after it's pulled and we look it over.

As we putted along my wife said she didn't think she'd like a trawler. I agreed but we sure did get good mileage.
 
Did you mark a waypoint where the strike was? Or are you never going back.
 
Did you mark a waypoint where the strike was? Or are you never going back.
I've been careful not to push my luck and this was a 'first' for me. We were scrambling for the first 30sec or so, coasting toward a rocky reef a boat length away, help is hours away and no place to beach the boat except for on another rock. In the excitement of the moment I didn't mark it but I know exactly where it is. I didn't see it but saw some others right along strbd side as we hit, clanced at the depth, showed 9' under the boat then boom-boom we hit twice. I plan to go back there next trip, I'll be giving that area some extra room.

This wasn't virgin territory, other boats go there, but my first time. You have to make a narrow, tight 120* turn around this area, I know now that I cut the corner a little short.
 
At least things ended as well as they could, given the circumstances. I hope they can fix it quickly.
 
Prop strikes are no fun. Been there, done that. If you are going to have one prop done, have both done so they will be balanced. Also, have both shafts pulled and checked to make sure they did not get tweaked out of alignment. If one of the shafts is off by just a bit that could cause a wobble that will eventually eat away at the thrust bearings. That's not good.

Your insurance should cover all of the cost (less your deductible) as well as the haul out, mechanic time, etc.
 
Sorry to read this thread Woody. Being an old Cheesehead, I know the area you were checking out. I can't imagine how you must feel about now. I'm not sure why your engine won't start unless the hit caused something to act as if the boat is still in gear. Good luck with the repair!
 
I posted last week about my prop hitting a rock at the dock. Trashed it too. Try rigging an external ground to the battery from the negative post on the starter. If the starter does not have a negative lead then the case would be the ground. Take the jumper cable and ground the case to the battery (Not the positive) On many applications the ECM completes the ground side of the starter so the starter isn't engages while the engine is still running. This may be your issue. If the starter turns with the jumper then the ECM may be messed up from the instant stop and still think it's in gear or the engine is running.
 

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