Close encounter with a USO

[DYLBOSS]

Unidentified Sunken Object that is......

Lesson learned...... Don't get too comfortable in unfamiliar waters. Check that chart twice!

 

[oops!]

Re: Close encounter with a USO

man....that sucks.....

i was 250 yards off shore on our lake...water getting to 6 foot waves ....

went up one side .....came down the other and wham......one brand new prop ......toast.
my gf says when i got it out of the water and saw the damage.......i swore loud enough to wake the neighborhood.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Close encounter with a USO

I fish a river that has old tree trunks in it, I stod the motor up once in 12' of water, you just never know.

Looks like you got out okay, the lower is still attached and the damage isn't too bad, all part of boating.

You can straighten that, you need a steel hammer and a backer, anyhting flat and heavy will work.

Put the backer on and tap it(TAP: to hit slightly harder than you would your own finger) back straight, go really slow adn use 40 hits instead of 3 then take a file and smooth any rough edges.

 

[DYLBOSS]

Re: Close encounter with a USO

I fish a river that has old tree trunks in it, I stod the motor up once in 12' of water, you just never know.

Looks like you got out okay, the lower is still attached and the damage isn't too bad, all part of boating.

You can straighten that, you need a steel hammer and a backer, anyhting flat and heavy will work.

Put the backer on and tap it(TAP: to hit slightly harder than you would your own finger) back straight, go really slow adn use 40 hits instead of 3 then take a file and smooth any rough edges.

Thanks for the advice. I did try tapping it with a hammer on one side with a piece wood on the other for support. Didn't budge. What do you mean by backer? I'm guessing I will have to remove the lower unit and place it on a flat surface, then tap it out flat. I'm also wondering if I should be concerned about anything else on the outdrive. It sounded like I hit hard. I'm hoping I didn't put too much stress on the transom mount or upper unit.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Close encounter with a USO

Backer would be something that won't move when tapping w/the hammer. Ex. bigger hammer.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Close encounter with a USO

This works on props but I'm not sure about skegs. Take a large crescent wrench, stick it on there, and tighten the adjustment. Then bend some of those rough parts straight. Can't tell from the pictures if that will help since the skeg is thicker, but you can try it.

 

[rbh]

Re: Close encounter with a USO

Maybe a little heat first before bending/straightning aluminum.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Close encounter with a USO

it looks kind of like mine did last summer when I ran over a USO too... my mechanic took a grinder, and just shaved offthe bent and broken stuff and created a nice smooth skeg again.

I wasn't even sure how he did it exactly, and asked in this thread last fall after I picked it up... and Don S (moderator) drew a line on my image to show how it was cut... it may work for you - but you may be a candidate for a proper skeg repair...

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Close encounter with a USO

You made out better than I did. Last time I hit a submerged object I hit a dredge pipe at 30mph. I knocked a quarter sized hole in my lower unit. I knew better too, knew they were dredging in the area and followed a larger boat between 2 danger buoys, figured if he made it I would too. Obviously on plane he drew less water than I do.

 

[DYLBOSS]

Re: Close encounter with a USO

Maybe a little heat first before bending/straightning aluminum.

I was thinking this too. Maybe put a torch on it for a bit, then try and tap it down.

I'm assuming that it's taking a performance hit, but I didn't notice much when I went out today. Probably less gas mileage for sure, and likely less speed. I guess I have a project ahead of me by next weekend.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Close encounter with a USO

Take it to a prop shop.