The Damage Thread

[EmptyStringer]

After the epic failure had occured and I changed my boxers, we still decided the do a little fishing. Even though it was obvious that I had a little problem..



Drip, drip, drip, drip,drip, drip, drip,drip, drip, drip,drip, drip, drip,drip, drip, drip,drip, drip, drip,drip, drip, drip,drip, drip, drip,drip, drip, drip,drip, drip, drip,drip, drip, drip

Yep, she's taking on water. Not un-fishable, but not good. Nothing the bilge pump can't handle until I get the boat patched (assuming it can be fixed)


But once I hammered into the ole merk and get to running pretty good, problem #2 decides that my day hadn't been memorable enough already..


Notice the curb to the right of my lower unit just below the prop. Yep. The boat pulls so hard to the right at full speed that if I were to let go of the steering wheel, I honestly think that the boat would flip instantly.

I almost went to beating and prying on it but then I decided that I would ask you guys what I should do. Anybody experienced with something like this? Or should I just let a pro handle it. Last thing I need to do is buy a new lower unit.

[randall25x]

Adjust the tab above the prop to compensate for your new curvature of the skeg.:D
You might just be able to work it out and not worry with it for a while.

[slimeyslab]

I would be very scared to beat or pry on that cast skeg. Like mentioned before try adjusting the tab to make up for it. If it dont help I would call my Insurance Company and file a claim. Hang in there, it happens to all of us at one time or the other(not so much this bad however).

[slimeyslab]

Nah! On second thought beat the crap out of it and if it breaks then file a claim.

[duckhunter]

Es, hate to hear all that....in all honesty, I would take it to a proffessional and let him repair everything right. We were fishing grenada today, in my aluminum boat, and using a trolling motor, and the side of the boat scraped against what looked like a concrete slab .......scratchef the side of the boat a little, but no major damage.......will have to get touch up paint and repair it. Thank God we werent in my fiberglass charger, lol. Anyway, crap happens when you fish and hunt long enough, and I have learned over the years that as long as everyone is safe and sound, and no injuries, everything else can be repaired....thank God, in,your case that everyone is ok.

[jaxsprat]

Man that would of given me a heart attack,and yes I saw it happen bout 2 years ago at ramp where I fish, newbie first time out trying to back down ramp on 5th try he hits gas a little hard --wife screams as he is coming fast, slams on brakes and there goes brand new 16 foot Aluminum boat BANG flat down on ramp bout 2 feet short of water, 4 guys dragged it to water so they could put it on trailer and poor guy left lake.
As far as damage to hull most boat stores (can't remember name) carry a two part epoxy u mix up and spread over area and it seals it up for good. Comes in 2 styles after drying, one stays flexible like a caulk other drys hard as a rock if fact they say u can drill and tap it. Dark grey in color & when u mix it it will steam when ready. I just spread it on bottom while on trailer and where the rock cut was it sucked it right up in opening.

[CatchumDeep]

Sounds like you're referring to "J-B Weld". It's low cost (less than $10) and works well. I used it on an area of my aluminum boat about 3 years ago and haven't had a problem.

[EmptyStringer]

as long as everyone is safe and sound, and no injuries, everything else can be repaired....thank God, in,your case that everyone is ok.

You're right about that duck. At least nobody lost an arm or leg or worse. In the 1.2 seconds from the time I heard my dad scream "Wo wo wo" and I hit the pavement, the only thing that I could think of was that he couldn't stop the truck. That was my only comfort, that it could've been a lot worse

[gabowman]

IF it was me I'd let the pros handle that one.:o Good luck with it.

[RCC]

That is why "BOAT" stands for break out another thousand. It's all fixable and doesn't look major to me. Glad everyone is safe.