Lower Unit Question

[tarheelborn66]

I am a new boat owner and this past weekend I took my boat out for the maiden voyage. Anyway I was on the waterway for 4 days and ran aground a few times. I didn't hit anything hard but the lower unit is now scratched up pretty good (no gouges in the metal, just scraped surface paint and in some places the primer is all off.<br /><br />Is this a problem?<br /><br />Should I try to get this painted asap or is this common? <br /><br />Please bear with me if these are dumb questions as I said I am a new boat owner.<br /><br />Other than looking real bad, there doesn't seem to be any structural damage to the lower unit.<br /><br />

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Lower Unit Question

Its not going to hurt anything, but you can get some paint from the dealer and touch it up if you want. Sound like you need to get a depth finder before you do damage it.

 

[tarheelborn66]

Re: Lower Unit Question

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate your information.

 

[Belchy]

Re: Lower Unit Question

Little scrapes like that are quite common, especially when beaching on sand. Personally I wouldn't be to worried about it, if you were running in salt water, probally wouldbn;t hurt to touch it up<br /><br />Belchy

 

[tarheelborn66]

Re: Lower Unit Question

Thanks. Yes, I am running in salt water. I will go to the dealer and get some touchup paint. I was just wondering if it was a problem as I see other engines that are a lot older with all of the paint still on their lower units and didn't know if I needed to be concerned with this.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Lower Unit Question

Not to worry as when you look around most boat ramps you will see a lot of engines that are 30-40 years old with no paint on the gearcase and they run just fine.

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: Lower Unit Question

if its trailered then there isnt any problem. any bare metal on a moored boat will contribute to corrosion issues.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Lower Unit Question

if your in saltwater you will find that paint just wont stay. to much sand suspended. <br /> dont rely on a depth finder<br /> in my area the depth can and does change 10 ft in 5 ft.<br /> I have had the bow of my thunder chicken on the beach and the transducer at the stern showed 12 ft of water under it.<br /> at least I hit it slow though