Hit something...boat inoperable

C

Ciscovet

Seaman
Joined
Sep 4, 2011
Messages
73
Hey guys,
I have a 2001 Sea Ray 180 w/ 3.0L mercruiser AI. We were heading back home when I heard a thump. Moments later, I noticed that the steering wheel was all the way to the right. I quickly stopped to check things out and noticed that the pro was really bent. The steering went out completely and I could not engage (or it felt like) the drive. So giving it gas would rev up the engine but nothing would happen.
Luckily for us, we broke down at the enterence of the channel and after flagging about three people one couple decided to stop and tow us in to the marina. I am not really mechanically inclined. Even less when it comes to boats. Any ideas what is going on? The mechanic at the marina will be looking at it in the next couple of days.
 
H

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: Hit something...boat inoperable

That sound like more than just a thump. The steering could have been affected by a bent skeg, but it wouldn't cause your steering wheel to be in any odd direction, you'd just have a hard time steering/tracking straight. The shifting being messed up could be because the shift cable is compromised, but if you hit something hard enough, you may have broken the gimbal ring which would explain a lot of this. Hope it isn't too expensive, but it sounds like this could be quite a repair.
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Hit something...boat inoperable

The mechanic at the marina will be looking at it in the next couple of days.
Click to expand...

If you can't look at it and see obvious damage, the I guess you will know in a couple of days. Could be a number of things wrong.
 
C

Ciscovet

Seaman
Joined
Sep 4, 2011
Messages
73
Re: Hit something...boat inoperable

thanks for the quick replies. I didn't explain the steering very clearly. I noticed that I couldn't turn the wheel to the right any more because the wheel was already as right as it could go. That's when I noticed there was something wrong. I think it was tracking straight/slightly left and I must of been trying to correct by slowly steering to the right.
 
W

wagnerz

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 13, 2011
Messages
105
Re: Hit something...boat inoperable

Open up your check book.
 
Grandad

Grandad

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 7, 2011
Messages
1,504
Re: Hit something...boat inoperable

Break Out Another Thousand
 
Volphin

Volphin

Lieutenant
Joined
Jun 5, 2011
Messages
1,405
Re: Hit something...boat inoperable

Ciscovet said:
Hey guys,
I have a 2001 Sea Ray 180 w/ 3.0L mercruiser AI. We were heading back home when I heard a thump. Moments later, I noticed that the steering wheel was all the way to the right. I quickly stopped to check things out and noticed that the pro was really bent. The steering went out completely and I could not engage (or it felt like) the drive. So giving it gas would rev up the engine but nothing would happen.
Luckily for us, we broke down at the enterence of the channel and after flagging about three people one couple decided to stop and tow us in to the marina. I am not really mechanically inclined. Even less when it comes to boats. Any ideas what is going on? The mechanic at the marina will be looking at it in the next couple of days.
Click to expand...

And FWIW, a pox on those two other boaters that refused to help. VERY poor form. That is the first and foremost maritime rule... help another vessel in need. I have towed people in, and have been towed in myself... also got a battery boost once from a fellow boater. I have never EVER had anyone refuse to help.

I hope the unwilling boater's bilge stops working in a downpour.

Sorry.

Rant off.

V
 
C

Ciscovet

Seaman
Joined
Sep 4, 2011
Messages
73
Re: Hit something...boat inoperable

Most of these people were shrimpers. Actually, some of them thought it was funny. Yes, I do have insurance through geico (ski safe)
 
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