chewed up the prop -- think the drive shaft is ok?

[bow wow rider]

i had a bad moment :facepalm: on the Ohio over the weekend, and got the prop caught up in some rocks/mud near the shoreline. tore up the alum prop pretty good, one of the blades lost about a 1 inch chunk. the rest look like they've been gnawed upon by a trex.

with the chewed up prop, vibration was noticeable even at 1800 RPM. i limped back to the dock, but it was quite a ways. a couple miles.

i've replaced the prop. my question -- how likely is it that the prop drive shaft is bent? either from the initial strike or from running the prop while damaged. what's the best way to tell if the shaft is bent?

EDIT: BTW it's a Volvo Penta 3.0 SX sterndrive

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: chewed up the prop -- think the drive shaft is ok?

a visual inspection can usually show a bend shaft, crank engine on the trailer then put it in gear and look at the prop from behind.

 

[etracer68]

Re: chewed up the prop -- think the drive shaft is ok?

If it was an alum prop, most likely the shaft is not bent, but if it was an SS prop, it could be. You have to remove the prop and set up a dial indicator on the shaft (close to the threads) and rotate it. I thnik .003 or under would be ok, anything over that, you may have a bent shaft, and that may cause premature bearing failure. If you have a damaged prop thats causeing vibration, you shaould change it out as soon as possible. If you have to run it, then run at lowest speed as possible to keep control of the boat, under 1500 rpm, or get a tow in.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: chewed up the prop -- think the drive shaft is ok?

What etracer68 posted.
Dial indicator. Check it.
don't rely on your eyes, the are not that precise.