Martinez Lake = Broken Prop!

[JohnD]

This past weekend I went Martinez Lake for the first time and had a great time! However, my boat didn't fair so well. We were at least 100 yards from the trees in the water when we heard a moderate thump on the bottom of the boat. At the time I figured we hit a piece of drift wood and thought nothing of it. However, when we pulled the boat at the end of the day I noticed my prop was thrashed! About 1/3 of a blade was missing and the other blades were mangled. I wouldn't believe a piece of wood would do that much damage, except their were splinters still stuck in the metal!

Anyway, has anyone else's prop met the same fait? Any tips on avoiding trashing my next prop? (If I was any further from the trees I would be driving down the center of the lake.)

Cheers,

John

[astro209]

That sucks JohnD. I looked at my prop the other day and noticed two small little dents in the leading edge of one of the blades. I do not know when or where it happened, but I suspect that it was at one of the reservoirs. The thing that you have to remember is that they do not usually cut those trees down, and since the water level changes drastically throughout the year, you never know when there is a tree inches below the water line. Unfortunately I don't think there is really much that can be done. Just be as careful as you can. It sounds like you just had a run of bad luck.

[critter1]

Sorry to here that. I will never take my Malibu in that marina. I've been going there sense I was a little girl in a jet though. You hit a tree, there is tons of submerge tree all in that marina. If you go out ther on a very calm morning, you would be amazed how many tree there are and how close to the surface. If I really have to go into Martinez, I'll dock at Fishers Landing and walk over.

Sorry again, I wish I could of warned you.

[JohnD]