Hit underwater object now prop is shifted right. What. Now?

[Kdmann64]

A buddy was pulling me he ended up driving into a bad area and hit a stump guess. After that of course there is a lot of vibration, when we got the boat out I discovered the prop is to the right of the rudder not in the center. The bracket that the shaft runs through is bent. What do I do? Is it removable?
Can I straight it or buy new?
Does this mean my shft is bad too? What about packing?
Please help.

[D3skier]

Originally Posted by Kdmann64

A buddy was pulling me he ended up driving into a bad area and hit a stump guess. After that of course there is a lot of vibration, when we got the boat out I discovered the prop is to the right of the rudder not in the center. The bracket that the shaft runs through is bent. What do I do? Is it removable?
Can I straight it or buy new?
Does this mean my shft is bad too? What about packing?
Please help.

sorry to hear about your damage... be thankful that's all it is. my buddy said he saw a 205 with a huge hole in the bottom because they hit a rock at skiing speed. If the prop is to the right more than likely the shaft is bent too and will need to replace everything.

[Kdmann64]

What is everything? I'm new at this and am doing some searching on here as well. It's an 03 x2. Where do I order parts from. It was on lake Oconee today.

[Hrkdrivr]

How ironic. My troubles started on Lake Oconee a couple of weeks ago. Pour yourself a good drink and read my tale...
http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/...ad.php?t=48427

[j.mccreight@hotmail.com]

Yes it sounds like you will need to replace shaft, strut, packing, prop, and align the engine. jim @ bay area watersports 1-877-817-7774 should be able to get you the parts you need. if not I'm sure he can recommend somebody.

[Hrkdrivr]

So far I've had to get a new prop, a new drive shaft, new cutlass bearings and today I discovered I also need a new strut. Will have to order it on Monday.

My suggestion is to order from skidim.com. A lot of people here use them. They have great customer service, the ship quickly and their prices are about the best you'll find. If you don't see what you need on the web page or you're not sure, call them. Theyre very helpful.

Get the tools out and don't be afraid; it's all pretty doable even if you're not a gear-head.

[petermegan]

Just curious how far from center of the rudder the shaft is? You are aware that the shaft is deliberately offset enough so the shaft comes out past the rudder. (So they tell me anyway). Is there a visible bend in your strut or have you assumed it is bent because the shaft is not in the middle of the rudder? Just had a thought that it just may be a bent prop. Cheers.

[j.mccreight@hotmail.com]

^x2 the shaft are offset a bit so you can remove prop and shaft without interference from rudder, can you turn shaft by hand?

[FrankSchwab]

OK, first, is the prop damaged? I'm assuming the answer is "yes", so you're going to have to decide whether it can be repaired, or needs to be replaced. OJ Props will evaluate it, and fix it if possible, if you ship it to them. You may be able to find a local prop shop who can do it also.

Next, let's evaluate the strut. The strut is the center of the world when it comes to your propshaft. Look under the boat, and examine where the propshaft goes through the bottom of the boat (the "shaft log"). If the propshaft is touching the sides of the shaft log, then you're in deep doo-doo - the strut is probably bent. If it isn't, you may be OK, but to be sure you're going to have to do some work. (Read the document I posted on hrkdrivr's thread for terminology). Seperate the propshaft coupler at the transmission by a couple of inches, loosen the stuffing box hose and pull it up the shaft, and evaluate how the propshaft comes through the shaft log. If it's not touching the sides, you're golden - bolt everything back together and thank your lucky stars (although you've already done most of the work involved in doing a full propshaft alignment, so you might as well follow through).

Now, let's assume the strut is bent (the propshaft hits the shaft log). If you have an old-style stuffing box, add some Gore-Tex packing to your list of parts (by far the cheapest thing you'll be buying). If the bend isn't too bad, some have been successful at enlarging the screw holes in the strut base, applying new sealant, holding the shaft in the center of the shaft log, and tightening the screws down again. Others have been successful using the propshaft as a really long lever and physically bending the strut back into position. Me? I'd replace the strut.

You can measure runout in the shaft with it mounted in the boat (and the coupler bolted together). If it's high (read hrkdrivr's thread for some authoritative numbers), you can try to have it straightened, or replace it. You can also pull the shaft, and have a machine shop measure it's straightness.

Worst case, you're looking at $1500 or so in parts to get back on the lake. Best case, $300 or so for a used prop (check on Ebay).

Good luck, and post questions/results here. Lot's of helpful folks.

/frank

[Kdmann64]

Hrkdrivr I have been reading your post and it has been helpful/ stressful. I hope you will be available on here to help me out.

The prop looks good, I know it still could be bent but there is no visible damage.

I assume the strut is what the shaft runs through under the boat. That this is obviously bent to the right, if someone could post a pic of where the prop is supposed to be that would help I guess. I'll take a pic of what mine looks now but I don't k owns to post the pic.

I don't think I can turn the prop by hand right now. It is in a bind.
I'll get under the boat today and do more investigation. Thanks for your help so far guys and keep it coming. I don't know all the terminology here so you guys will have tobe patient with me. Also can some one tell me how to post pics with my iPad or iphone