Well, It finally happened... I hit a submerged object...

[Trooper583]

I've been waiting for this to happen for quite a while now. While on an evening cruise last night, I struck an object I would assume was completely submerged. I was watching the water ahead very closely and did not see ANYTHING! I was cruising about 25 mph. I was in the river channel and had plenty of depth. I heard that dreaded loud thud, and slowed down significantly. Everything appeared to work ok on the way home. After I inspected the boat out of the water, I noticed that the drive had an abraison on both sides just above the bullet. Everything else appeared to be ok. What, if anything should I inspect to make sure everything is ok. Thanks in advance.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Well, It finally happened... I hit a submerged object...

I'd check the prop for damage & the hull. Maybe check fluids in the drive for water intrusion (did you see any oil slicks around the boat after hitting?). Sounds like you're probably fine.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Well, It finally happened... I hit a submerged object...

A big ole catfish or carp maybe a small shark. I've hit carp before.

 

[Trooper583]

Re: Well, It finally happened... I hit a submerged object...

Thanks for the replies so far. I've checked the prop and it looked fine. I didn't notice any oil in the water around where I was. I did not check the fluid in the outdrive, I'll do it in the a.m. It almost looks like the outdrive itself split the object in half. I also spun the prop by hand and didn't see an abnormalities (although I'm sure this isnt the technical way to do it).

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Well, It finally happened... I hit a submerged object...

Trooper - Hope no damage when you check the L/U oil.

Reminds me of when I was watching the news a few years ago during, I think it was after Katrina, flood reporting. A news guys was in a Coast Guard jon boat when there was a loud thump and the boat jostled around a lot. The guy asked the Coastie "What was that?" Coastie replied "Buick" and just kept motoring.

My Buick was an oyster reef in Galveston Bay. Hope you make out better than I did.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Well, It finally happened... I hit a submerged object...

There has been a huge run off this year coming from the northern part of the country...I Know the missourri and the columbia river here in oregon are full of submerged logs...This time of year with the run off, always makes me extremely cautious of running at any speed down the river

Going out on monday ill see if i can get a few pics of the submerged stuff....It can be so bad that it is advised to always carry a knife when anchored....Imagine a 25' tree floating along about 3" under the surface...taveling along @ about 3-5 mph and snagging your anchor rope....25' boat becomes a bobber....Unless you move quickly with your knife

 

[Trooper583]

Re: Well, It finally happened... I hit a submerged object...

There has been a huge run off this year coming from the northern part of the country...I Know the missourri and the columbia river here in oregon are full of submerged logs...This time of year with the run off, always makes me extremely cautious of running at any speed down the river

Going out on monday ill see if i can get a few pics of the submerged stuff....It can be so bad that it is advised to always carry a knife when anchored....Imagine a 25' tree floating along about 3" under the surface...taveling along @ about 3-5 mph and snagging your anchor rope....25' boat becomes a bobber....Unless you move quickly with your knife

Wow, the "bobber" analogy really makes a person think! I probably should have clarified on something. I was on Lake Barkley right in front of the State Prison, but I was running within the marked river channel. (nearly always do this on Barkley, dangerously shallow in some spots.) Any time that the Nashville area gets a really good rain you can just bet that about a week later the water will be full of floaties. You could see a ton of them out there but I had a feeling the one I didn't see would get me.