Friday the 13th......

[knottybuoyz]

Well I knew it was going too good. Friday the 13th. jumped right up and bit us on the arse!

We're cruising down the river at dusk doing 3000 RPM @ 24 kts and "BANG" we hit something, the drive kicks up a bit and the vibrations started right away. Slowed and circled back and saw some debris in the water, remains of a tree branch. Nursed her home and docked. Trimmed the drive all the way up and before I had a chance to stick my hand in the water I could see a good portion of the prop blades are missing. It's a VP duoprop and the fwd prop has about 30% of two blades missing and the aft prop has about 20% of two blades missing! Damn, I knew it was going too well!

[Pblais]

before I had a chance to stick my hand in the water I could see a good portion of the prop blades are missing. It's a VP duoprop and the fwd prop has about 30% of two blades missing and the aft prop has about 20% of two blades missing! Damn, I knew it was going too well!

You give up your towing sideline because of prop damage and this is the reward. Maybe you should rename the boat. A little bad luck might reverse the trend.

[DeepFrz]

I think we better buy stock in the company that makes your props.

[knottybuoyz]

Ok fellas! Rub it in! Now lets here from the sailboaters how this would never happen to them cause of the deep keels! C'mon lemme have it!

[44'cruisingcat]

Well, we might hit something, but we're not gonna hit it at 24 knots.

[Pblais]

The basic don't hit anything rule of boating somehow has not been understood.

[maxingout]

I'm not superstitious, but two years ago on Friday the 13th, we were peacefully anchored in Bequia, and a 115 foot motor yacht crashed into our port bow destroying our bow pulpit.

[Alan Wheeler]

Haven't you done your prop in before Rick?? Sounds like you need a Keelson and shaft mate. Or how about rubber props :-)
We have had a couple of large launches hit trees here over the years. I know it's a pain loosing the prop, but think yourself real lucky you haven't hit a large log end on. One ex fishing trawler here had that happen. It drove through up through the bow and caused a lot of damage. Lucky no one was hurt of killed.

[knottybuoyz]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Well, we might hit something, but we're not gonna hit it at 24 knots.

And here I thought those sailin' cats were fast!!!

Oh Paul, I understand the "don't hit anything" rule but apparently "Auto" who was driving doesn't!

Yes Wheels we've done in a few props now. Mostly while towing sailboats off the rocks! *lol* Hence Paul's reference to towing!

There's a lot of junk comes floating down the river this year. We've had a lot of rain and the water level is very high. We just missed a section of dock the other night. Last yr we narrowly avoided a picnic table. I turned around to put a line on it and it was gone. Waterlogged I guess.

Oh well that's boating I guess. We'll get them rebuilt but will miss a weeks boating. :: Shrug ::

[knottybuoyz]

Ouch! But, not as bad as I thought. They're fixable!

[dacust]

Originally Posted by knottybuoyz

Ouch! But, not as bad as I thought. They're fixable!

Ouch! They don't look TOO bad, but I bet they vibrate just a touch.

You may have thought of this already, but I have an extra set of wheels. Buy a new set and put them on while you send those off for rebuild. When I haul my boat, if the props are marginal I would probably leave them, not wanting the downtime while waiting. But with an extra set, I just swap them out and send the other set in when I get a round tuit.

[knottybuoyz]

I did have an extra set but they were B6's and too much prop for the boat. Sold those and have been looking for a used set of B4's or 5's. Guess that wait is over! *lol* I'll have these patched up as backups and fit the new set when they get here.

[delmarrey]

It could have been worst. Deadheads are an on going problem in our area.

'Deadhead' logs posing serious danger to boaters | Local News | KING5.com | News for Seattle, Washington

[Lancerbye]

Logs, dead heads , and props or legs don't mix. When cruising at a slow speed of 6 to 8 knots I haven't had too much problem, even though I did kinda rool over a few. When I still had high speed boats I am sure I kept a small repair shop employed all by my self. I cruised in the PNW and yes logs and deadheads are a menace. After all this is logging country. A friend of mine running a 24 foot cruiser just ahead of me hit a log directly crosswise once doing about 35 knots. I saw daylight under his entire boat and thought for sure that he was done for, but the lucky stiff came out of it with no damage.

[knottybuoyz]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

It could have been worst. Deadheads are an on going problem in our area.

Deadheads are an ongoing problem here too! Most of them are at "Queens Park" in Toronto and "Parliament Hill" in Ottawa!

For those of you that don't get it that's where our Provincial and Federal Politicians are!