Ran aground twice, am I ok?

[smitty_bb]

I ran my 1976 85hp Johnson aground twice the other day. Just the lower unit hit the sand and I was able to just push thru. do you think I may have done any damage, the transom is fine, and i flushed the engine for about 20 mins after I got in. Thanks for any help

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Ran aground twice, am I ok?

The damage to the skeg, trim tab, prop etc... you could visually see. The damage to the hub or shear pin you would feel. If you ran it after and all seemed well Id assume you are ok.

 

[smitty_bb]

Re: Ran aground twice, am I ok?

Yeah, it ran fine after in deeper water. do you think I
should i worry about the water pump?

 

[F_R]

Re: Ran aground twice, am I ok?

Only twice? Shoot, that's the way of life around here. If you didn't curl up the prop blades, don't worry about it.

 

[smitty_bb]

Re: Ran aground twice, am I ok?

Thanks, I'm glad its no big deal! I appreciape the replys

 

[jtexas]

Re: Ran aground twice, am I ok?

next impeller change, do the full pump kit, just a few bucks extra - sand will score the inner housing & reduce the effectiveness of the pump

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Ran aground twice, am I ok?

That's my comment also.. Sand will run though a water pump like, well, sandpaper! I'd change the housing as well as the impeller next service time.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Ran aground twice, am I ok?

I'm with F R -- Only twice? All I can say is you don't fish where we fish.........

 

[F_R]

Re: Ran aground twice, am I ok?

Yeah, I'm only a few miles north of Hadley. Anyway, that motor should have the stainless steel liner and plates in a plastic water pump housing. Much tougher than the old aluminum housings. I doubt it even marked them. And even if it did wipe them out, you can just replace the impeller and plates. A few things really are better than the "old" days.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Ran aground twice, am I ok?

Twice? That's once more than I've run aground in my life! I hit rocks once years ago... never, before or since... But on the other hand, I grew up on a logging river... I've probably hit a lot more logs and changed more shear pins than the average person... You get pretty good at pulling the motor into the boat and changing the pin and putting it back in the river! (small engine of course!) It's a lot easier than rowing back to shore!

 

[mikesea]

Re: Ran aground twice, am I ok?

you were likely lucky,but you other concern outside the impeller is the thermostats,often they become stuck from sand,if they are stuck open,your lucky,be sure to check both heads for heat build up,your heat warning sender is only on 1 head and you may have a hotter head on the other side,give it a good run,shut down,then feel the heads with your hand,should not be so hot you need remove your hand quickly but got hotter after a few secs.if you cant touch,too hot.