Total red face!

[KazooTom]

I am embaised to make this post. I have a 1989 Sea ray 180BR with the 4.3 liter Alpha 1 out drive. I was out on a inland lake over the week end and ran the out drive in to a sand bar. I was was aware of this sand bar and was new to the lake. I was going about 30 mph when I hit the bar. I stopped and raised the out drive drove of the bar and went to the landing. I did get up to speed after the hit and all seems fine. I did a visual inspection when I got it out of the water and found nothing. What should I be looking for? Can a out drive take a hit and not be damaged.

Please dont laugh I should have know better. I was watching other boats and I thought I was in the same area. I missed the area were other boats had been going by about 15 ft.:facepalm:
Your help would be greatly appreicated.
Thanks Tom

 

[alldodge]

Re: Total red face!

What should I be looking for? Can a out drive take a hit and not be damaged.

Initialy I would say your OK since you don't see any damage. Boat preformes as before and nothing is noticed which is different. You were probably stopped quickly but not as fast as if you hit rock. Probably injested some sand which could have caused increased wear on the impeller, and some of could have wound up setting in the bottom of you engines water jacket. I would say your OK but may want to either watch the temp gauge or have a look at the impeller. I would just wacth the gauge

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Total red face!

Nothing to be particularly "embarrassed" about. We all have probably hit some stuff on the bottom at times. Heck, I manged a (aluminum) prop on a rock bed that I knew was there and just wasn't paying enough attention. I bet you're fine if it was just a sand bar and you weren't running too fast. The skeg probably took most of the hit, so you're only missing a little paint. Just keep an eye on the temp gauge, and feel for vibrations. If the boat is out of the water, just make sure you give everything a good look, check for sand in the cooling passages/drain holes, and spin the prop around to make sure you didn't damage/bend the propshaft.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Total red face!

I hit a sand bar about 4 years ago before I knew the lake. We have pretty soft sand in this lake. After the season I changed the impeller and it was still more the usable but I change it on schedule anyway. Haven't had any issues. I now run my fish finder for depth when going into new locations.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Total red face!

I did the same thing a few years ago...........scared the crap out of me!!!
Go out of the boat and I was in ankle deep water....had my son and his friend stand on the bow and was able to push it off the bar.
Lowered the drive , started the engine and went on........never had a problem.

Good luck.