Prop and Skeg Damage

[papogator24]

Hey guys,

I went out on Saturday and spent the day out at Elliott Key and then had to hurry up home because a rain storm was heading our way. On the way back in, I was in the middle of the channel and noticed a boat approximately 200-300 yards in front of me went from the middle of the channel to outside of the green marker and then back inside. I thought to myself maybe the guy is drunk or wasnt paying attention but as I got closer to the location to where it did, my gut feeling told me to just move closer to the green marker. 2 seconds later my boat almost stopped immediately, I was only going idle speed approximately 1000 rpm. Thankfully, my boat was still in gear and I was able to limp back to the marina, I have tried to see what was in the water but could not see anything. I also tried to find the guy from that boat to ask him what he knew about that location.

The funny thing is that when I was leaving the channel at the beginning of the day, I went through that particular location and there was no problems. So, here are the pics of the damage and should I have my outdrive pulled to check the drive alignment? What else can be done?

 

[Nehalennia]

Sorry to see that. You'll definitely need to have the props re-worked. Some prop shops are equiped to repair the skeg too, but on a Bravo III I'd really recommend having the spline checked out.
Had the tide gone out since you were there last? Were you on the correct side of the Green marker?

 

[papogator24]

Todd, is the spline that part that the props are held on to?

 

[sprink56]

Where did this happen? Do you remember the green marker number? Was this in the bay?

Looks like a prop rework and a little weld up grind off for the skeg/lower unit.

I used to run that area around Elliott alot when i lived in South Dade. At low tide you can run out of water real quick. I remember two bad spots: Ceasers Creek and Feather Bed Bank.

Based on that notch in your lower unit I'm guessing you got tangled up in a trap line. I had one wrap around my prop on my 18 foot Formula on a Christmas Day long ago and stopped the engine. I had to get in the water with my dive knife and cut it loose. I would guess that the scissors action od the dual prop cut the line. You might have blown out the rubber hubs in your props....that's why they are there. Chances are your main & jack shaft are ok.

 

[papogator24]

Where did this happen? Do you remember the green marker number? Was this in the bay?

Looks like a prop rework and a little weld up grind off for the skeg/lower unit.

I used to run that area around Elliott alot when i lived in South Dade. At low tide you can run out of water real quick. I remember two bad spots: Ceasers Creek and Feather Bed Bank.

Black Point Marina channel, between green marker 15-19


I am not sure where the bad spots you are talking about. Is that one huge sandbar? If that's what you are talking about then yes I know of that. It is directly in the middle of the bay between Black Point Marina and Eliott Key

 

[sprink56]

Feather Bed Bank is that big shallow area that is near the center of the south part of Biscayne Bay. It's on the chart and the main ICW channel runs roughly North/South through it. If you miss it at low tide you aground real quick.

Ceasers Creek is the pass at the south end of Elliott Key and north of Angel Fish Key that heads out to Pacific Reef Light. It is a very narrow channel...deep in the center but 2 feet deep on either side at low tide.

 

[papogator24]

Feather Bed Bank is that big shallow area that is near the center of the south part of Biscayne Bay. It's on the chart and the main ICW channel runs roughly North/South through it. If you miss it at low tide you aground real quick.

Ceasers Creek is the pass at the south end of Elliott Key and north of Angel Fish Key that heads out to Pacific Reef Light. It is a very narrow channel...deep in the center but 2 feet deep on either side at low tide.

Yes, I know exactly where it is. I am always crossing by the Feathers Bed Bank. I have seen many boats run aground there.

 

[Kurt]

There goes the addition of the JL's sooner that later. Man that sucks, sorry to hear this happened to you.

 

[papogator24]

There goes the addition of the JL's sooner that later. Man that sucks, sorry to hear this happened to you.

Tell me about it. I was looking forward to adding those JL's. Guess that will have to be put on hold.


On that note, did you have any problem with the amp heating up in that cabinet? After 4 hours of use, it got really hot which concerns me about air ventilation. I will be adding a cooling fan inside the cabinet and once I am on the hook, I am going to leave the cabinet door open.

 

[Fishnut]

Wow that looks like a direct hit. Sorry to see that.

Next time it rains send some over this way, we haven't seen any rain since Christmas.

 

[papogator24]

Wow that looks like a direct hit. Sorry to see that.

Next time it rains send some over this way, we haven't seen any rain since Christmas.

Yes, it was definitely a direct hit, it almost stopped the boat.

As for the rain, we're in a drought but I'll pray for rain for you guys.

 

[Nehalennia]

Yes I would have the spline that the prop attached to checked out. On these Bravo IIIs there's a lot going on and you don't want uneccessary wear to take place.

 

[katricol]

Propogator...this happened to me a few years ago and after talking to my mechanic he told me to notify my ins. co, as there could be hidden damage. I bought a new prop and used the boat for the rest of the season. The report I put in to the ins co. was that I thought there was a problem in the channel ahead and I had my wife and friend on the bow looking while I was a "make way" speed. Bam 1 hit and I had a distroyed prop. When I had the brovo 111 pulled at the end of the season my mech called and said "call your ins co". This turned into a new outdrive all paid for by the ins. co. because I had filed theroper report months earlier. CALL your ins man!!!

 

[Kurt]

Tell me about it. I was looking forward to adding those JL's. Guess that will have to be put on hold.


On that note, did you have any problem with the amp heating up in that cabinet? After 4 hours of use, it got really hot which concerns me about air ventilation. I will be adding a cooling fan inside the cabinet and once I am on the hook, I am going to leave the cabinet door open.

Never hot warm only, that is a sign that the amp is not running efficiently. Once again, two channel amp is not meant to run 4 speakers, it changes the ohm load and will lead to failure.