Centurion Avalanche - Need all new running gear

[Mr. Mike]

Hey Everyone:

Ok, go easy on me, this is my first post.

I just bought a 2003 Centurion Avalanche. Its got the Mag MPI 350 engine and triple ballast tanks. All of the running gear is either broken or bent. I'm not trying to be cheap, I just want to be smart about what I replace and what is easily fixed. I need advice on a few things:

New Prop - The prop is pretty much destroyed. It had an Acme 3 blade #491 13x12.625 VL 1 1/8. I sent Acme an email and they said the 491 is no longer made. They recommended the 515 (13x12) or the 525 (13x11.5). As all of these props have the diameter (I'm unsure about cup), is this just like "gearing down" one or two steps. Is is right to say that the larger props will work the engie at bit harder and keep the revs down while the smaller ones will work vice-versa? Either way, I've never driven this boat what do you think will work best with a few people in the boat. I don't have any plans to add extra weight beyond the ballast tanks.

Drive Shaft - I took it out and its bent. Have you guys had much luck with straigtened shafts? I also marred the surface a bit while removing. Will this be a big issue if its straightened?

Tracking Fins - They are bent and a bit of material is missing. A local prop shop said that he could probably build them back to new. Has anyone tried this?

Rudder - The actual shaft is bent along with a slight curve in the fin. I think replacement is the only option. Should I just drop a new rudder in or do I need to replace the whole bracket and everything? Its a pain to get in the back with the v drive.

Strut - I can't tell if is is okay or not. I think I just need to put in a straight shaft and see if I can align in.



Thanks for the advice, I am used to working on an I/O.

Mike

[wesgardner]

Hey Mr. Mike,

The more you pitch a prop., the harder it will work as you've said - the result is a better hole shot sacrificing a bit of top end. For wakeboarding, obviously, you really don't need top end as you're only doing 20...prolly either prop will serve you well.You might get lucky and find someone who has the exact boat who can give you the "facts".

Sounds as if the boat's been driven fairly hard thru something???@@##!! So I'd assume everything is bent.

Tracking fins - I'd take the chance and try straightening.

Shaft...its bent, you can try having it straightened...but...

Rudder try replacing just what's bent

Strut - check it and then, as you say, try to align the motor....


Do you know what caused all this? Maybe check around the strut for cracking in the hull - depending on how the impact occured....just be sure your hull's good..

Good luck


Wes

[EMP912]

Prop: I would go with a regular 4 blade and get away from the 3 Blade. If you get in contact with a dealer they should be able to help you with pitch and everything. If you are going to weighting the boat a lot you want something that will get out of the hole. Barefooting or cruising you still want something out of the hole but with a little higher end speed.

Fins: I would have him straighten them and not replace. Should be cheaper.

Shaft: Matters on if you know the guy that is going to straighten it is good. I would think this is very important. If it is off a little and vibrates it can really mess a lot of stuff up.

Rutter: They can probably straighten that too. I would take it out and make sure all the seals and bearings (I think there are bearings back there) are in good shape. You do not want it to leak back there and you want it to turn true and not be hard to turn at cruising speed.

Just my 2 cents.

[ef3529]

The 515 is what was used on all the 04's and most of the 03's. That is the what Acme recommended for that boat. In 05 they changed the transmission and went to a 4 blade.
I would put a new shaft in. They are not very expensive and you would hate to get the old one put back in and find out that it was not done right. Do over sucks.
It is hard to say about the rudder. I would try replacing just the rudder but you need to replace the seal as well. Yes it is hard with a V-drive.
Everything else I would straighten.
Good luck.

[krbaugh]

The Acme 3 blade is far superior prop to al the 4 blade props better hole shot better top end and a better wake. This does not apply to all 3 blade props just Acme’s
It is my recommendation that you replace the shaft strut and rudder with all that damage the strut will be bent. All of these parts are essential parts of the drive train so I would not take any chances IMHO

[oshensurfer]

I agree with krbaugh. I wouldn't chance it on the shaft. Vibration can really screw up a tranny. If you want to straighten the rudder, that would be the only thing that I think may be ok. Personally, I would replace it all.