HELP! Hit a rock with the engine!

Way2fast · Newbie Joined: 26 Jul 2003 Posts: 2 City: Toronto

Ok, so i let my friend who doesnt have his permit take me for a ride before sunset, hes a pretty good car driver and has seen and driven the boat with me in it enough times. After a sweet 5 minutes of riding, he decided that it would be just fine to cut a corner marked with a buoy in my bay that hes seen me drive around a million times. I didnt notice cause just before it was too late, I threw the handle and clunk cluck clunk, watch the engine hydraulics go crazy... Anyway, luckily all that was broken for this stupid mistake was the propeller guard on my OB 135 Mercury Optimax. If he was two feet to port, he would have barely cleared the bottom, but to feet to starbord and the boat would have been written off and people hurt. So does anyone know what can be done about replacing propeller guards and the cost of it? Can the damaged one be cut off and a new one welded on? Or do i have to pay for the replacement whole lower gear case on which the fin is a part of ($1120.70)Usd. Any advice would be really appreciated, particulairly before my parents kill me.[/b]

kennethl · Addict Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 635 City: Champaign

I suggest you check out some of the Bass Boat forums and ask the same question.
I think you'll find they have allot more expierence specificaly with that type of engine. That engine typically has a Stainless prop which means that there may have been some damage transfered to the gears. I suspect you might need a new lower unit but lets hope not.

good luck

MrBlean · Posted: Sep 10, 2003 2:57 pm Post subject: Lower unit repair

These guys (prop repairers in the UK) claim to be able to fix skegs and lower units as well as props.

http://www.steeldevelopments.co.uk/Prop_Repairsx.html

Therefore, I suggest it may be worth trying prop repairers in th US, too.

It may be worth trying to get a lower unit from a scrap motor and transferring the gears from your engine to it.

For this, try these guys: http://www.obparts.com

N.i.c.k. · Newbie Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Posts: 22 City: Youngstown, OH

Is your skeg completed torn off? You could try a skeg guard. They just slip over the old one and you bolt it on or something. You need like 1/3 or something to be able to put it on though. Later....

mykwillis · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 105 City: garland, tx.

post pics and it would be easier to help out.

BIGMAC · Posted: Sep 10, 2003 8:55 pm Post subject:

Does it affect performance? If not than hell with it. But if it's your rents boat good luck!! Pics would help as already stated.

Way2fast · Newbie Joined: 26 Jul 2003 Posts: 2 City: Toronto

Yah, thanx guys. It looks like i can get the old skeg cut off and a new one welded on. for 300, rather than replacing the whole lower unit for $3000. I'll post the pics as soon as i manage to get them onto this computer