Hit a Rock!

[pangolin]

Third time out in our boat, first real boating trip... and smacked a rock on the first day. Heart sank but luckily the boat didn't. It took a huge chunk out of the aluminum prop. I had planned ahead and brought my spare prop and tools. Was able to change the prop underwater all while waves from the speedboats were rocking us like crazy. But darn it, it didn't do the trick. So we walked and swam it along the shore towards camp until a ranger finally spotted us and pulled us the rest of the way. I called my shop for some advice and was told that it is probably the coupler between the lower and upper drive units. I hope he is right since that is a pretty easy fix. I am going to remove the lower myself and investigate. I'll probably take the lower into the shop so they can actually see what's going on. Fingers are crossed that nothing major is damaged.

 

[Scott Danforth]

never heard of that coupler going on a VP

 

[pangolin]

Symptoms: With engine off, prop spins in both directions when shifted into forward or reverse. When hand turning the prop there is a bit of a sound, not like metal grinding or anything but some kind of noise. I can't recall if this is normal or if it should be silent. When engine is on and in gear the prop does not spin either way.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Pull the shift cover and manually put it in gear

 

[Thalasso]

You don't mention what drive you have but.
There is a sacrificial sleeve that connects the shaft between the upper and lower unit of the out drive that is scored and designed to break when the drive is under extreme pressure/resistance like when grounding the props or shifting into gear at very high RPM

 

[PatinIdaho]

Seen a few posts over the last few years that had a broken coupler.

 

[pangolin]

Indeed I think that's the issue. I removed the lower unit tonight and the coupler is sheared in half. I'll post a couple of pics when I can.

 

[BRICH1260]

You might want to contact your insurance company. The damage should be covered as an underwater strike or collision.

 

[Augoose]

Likely the repair is less than the deductible, especially considering he's already pulled the outdrive.

 

[Buckynaked]

I bought the same boat from a guy who hit a rock I have been down this road, mine was the same as your problem only ripped the whole prop off and bent the prop shaft, I found a guy who sells used outdrives at a good price also let me know if you have any questions on how to line up the bottom and the top so it shifts correctly. Good luck glastron brother!!... ahh crap yours had a Volvo outdrive, I'm sorry I didn't notice that mine has a merc.. I'm no help I guess besides maybe a used outdrive if you need it.

 

[pangolin]

I picked up the coupler today for less than $50 and the shop is checking the prop shaft to see if it is still in spec. If not they have a machine shop that can repair it. We'll see.
I haven't contacted insurance, my premium is so low I don't want to mess with it for a few hundred. If I end up needing a new shaft however that's a new story.
On the Volvo I'm not aware of any issues when reattaching the lower with the upper as far as shifting goes?

 

[bruceb58]

On the Volvo I'm not aware of any issues when reattaching the lower with the upper as far as shifting goes?

There are none. Shifting is done in the upper.

 

[pangolin]

Is six hours a reasonable labor charge to remove the prop shaft and put it put it back on? Apparently the prop shaft is bent too far and needs to come out and go to the machine shop to be straightened out. The boat shop says they're going to need about six hours to remove the shaft put it back in press the bearing's etc. Is that reasonable?

 

[pangolin]

I am going to call around to a couple of other shops today to get an estimate. Let me know what you guys think of the six hours that I stated above, is that reasonable?

 

[PatinIdaho]

I think if a guy had a shop with a press and the knowledge/tools to R&R the shaft you could do it in a few hours.
If a shop quoted me 6 hours i would probably tell them to do it as i do not have the tools and rater then calling around for a little better price im just getting it done and over with.

 

[Grub54891]

6 hours sounds reasonable to me also. And I've rebuilt quite a few drives over the years.

 

[pangolin]

Just to wrap this up, here is a rundown of the repairs from the damage caused by my rock strike.

• New splined connector between upper and lower drive.
• All new seals for lower unit.
• New prop shaft and bearing (ouch)
• New prop
• New gear oil

And then, like an idiot I over torqued the dip stick and stripped the threads! I had the shop insert a helicoil for me and it seems to be fine. I have had her back on the water and everything is running like a top.

I opted to go with insurance once the prop shaft was involved and progressive handled everything really well.