Grounded on a a shallow sand bank- What to check?

[britisher]

Took the boat out yesterday on my local lake. The water level has been lowered in readiness for Hurricane season. Everything was going fine till I suddenly hit a shallow sandbank. Wasn't going fast, maybe 20 mph. I try to power out but without success. 2 jet skiers couldn't help us as they couldn't get close enough in without sucking sand into their jet nozzles. As the water was shallow, maybe 14", we got out the boat (engine off) and manually spun it round and gradually heaved it into deeper water. The boat fired up OK and ran Ok, but I did notice that the temp gauge had risen. It was maybe 180 or thereabouts. It certainly was right round. The boat is an 89 SR 180 BR. The motor is a 4.3 LX and the sterndrive is the original Alpha, which was totally refurbed late last year inlcuding new impeller, etc.
I'm a relative newbie at all this and yesterday was yet another learning experience.
Is there anything I should be checking, or getting checked, on the boat before I take it out again, given that when I was trying to move off the sandbank, I was churning up a lot of bottom sediment? For our next outing we plan on going to coast near St. Petersburg and I really don't want any hitches or events there!

 

[achris]

Re: Grounded on a a shallow sand bank- What to check?

If the temperature is higher than it normally runs, pull the drive and check the impeller. It's quite easy for those old impellers to get damaged with sand. I'd also pull the thermostat housing and check to sand and debris in there... Would be worth flushing the cooling system while you have the thermostat out. If the elbows haven't been checked in a while, pull them and flush and check....

Chris....

 

[britisher]

Re: Grounded on a a shallow sand bank- What to check?

Thanks for that swift response Chris. As I'm new to boats I've tended to let the boat guy mechanic do the greasy end of the work, whilst I concentrated on the rebuild of all the wood in the boat. I do many of my own car repairs (but know my limits).
Do you think it is doable for me to split the stern drive and do the impeller myself or am I better off, just paying up and smiling this time round?
I'm also guessing if I pull the thermostat housing I need to get me a replacement gasket first?

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Grounded on a a shallow sand bank- What to check?

The first time you do it, you will be intimidated. But it is very easy. If the impeller sucked up sand, that is your problem with the high temps.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Grounded on a a shallow sand bank- What to check?

Thanks for that swift response Chris. As I'm new to boats I've tended to let the boat guy mechanic do the greasy end of the work, whilst I concentrated on the rebuild of all the wood in the boat. I do many of my own car repairs (but know my limits).
Do you think it is doable for me to split the stern drive and do the impeller myself or am I better off, just paying up and smiling this time round?
I'm also guessing if I pull the thermostat housing I need to get me a replacement gasket first?

Ayuh,... We don't know how Handy you are, so it's hard to say,...

It ain't a Bad job,...

I agree with the others, droppin' the lower is step 1, change the impeller, 'n there's probably alota mud inside the case...