G23 Prop Fell Off .....

[greggmck]

I thought you were running a 17 1/2 inch prop, could that size have added more stress on the shaft ?

Yes, we were using the larger prop. But the moderate 1/2" increase in prop diameter does not increase the amount of shaft torque the engine produces. The maximum shaft torque is determined by the engine. The propeller shaft has to be designed to sustain the torque load of the engine regardless of the propeller installed otherwise the shaft would shear under heavy loading with any prop. At first I thought there might be some relationship of the failure with the new prop because of it being improperly balanced causing a rotational wobble loading and metal fatigue. But then four fellow surf competitors saw my post and messaged me that they too have had shaft failures on 2018 G23s with stock 17x17 props. One friend said he had three shafts shear in 8 months. So it looks like there is a problem with the quality of steel in some of these shafts.

[NMNautique]

Here I am one year later and shaft sheared off again. This is getting old not sure what to do or think anymore.

[Wayward]

Perhaps with the trans ratio power and the 17" prop, its just too much torque for the size shaft on there now to adequately handle the power, and they need a thicker shaft. Telling people that that shafts are undersized, can create issues, so maybe its easier to stick to the bad supplier story at this point even tho it no longer makes any sense.

I actually think it is just because they don't use forged shafts. I'm pretty sure Malibu uses forged shafts, and I know for sure that MC does (and has for 10+ years).

There are tons of other boats out there running smaller shafts, with 16.5-18" props, and they aren't having issues.....

[aswartz18]

My 2018 g23 with 47hrs sheared this weekend. Are folks contacting nautique directly?


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[Tallredrider]

I actually think it is just because they don't use forged shafts. I'm pretty sure Malibu uses forged shafts, and I know for sure that MC does (and has for 10+ years).

There are tons of other boats out there running smaller shafts, with 16.5-18" props, and they aren't having issues.....

If there is a stronger shaft available, why in the $%*(** are they not using them?

[Wayward]

If there is a stronger shaft available, why in the $%*(** are they not using them?

I have no idea...... except for the cost. A forged driveshaft is probably 4x as expensive. It does seem odd that they wouldn’t have switched by now, but neither of my G’s had a forged shaft.

[Infinity]

Makes total sense if the shafts are not forged, I was not aware of that. Sounds like its not a "supplier issue" then, its what they are ordering from supplier. Perhaps supplier told them the shaft is rated for the torque that is put on them? Obviously not the case and this is happening WAY more than any of us are aware since only limited people post on this forum and no way Nautique is going to advertise the actual number of claims they get. Guess its cheaper for them to just warranty them rather than change the material used and why they are not changing tho considering its one of the more expensive boats, you would think they would be willing to spend the extra few hundred to have the shafts forged and eliminate the issue. I know if I bought a G, I would pay a little more money to know my shaft wont fall off in the middle of lake one day!

[scottb7]

If there is a stronger shaft available, why in the $%*(** are they not using them?

Jeez, be careful. You don't want to end up "bitter" like me.


"I know if I bought a G, I would pay a little more money to know my shaft wont fall off in the middle of lake one day!"

Maybe this will be an "option" in 2019. You can choose forged or not forged...Just kidding.


I just want Nautique to come clean, be transparent, and provide decent updates on the matter. That's all...

[Infinity]

My 2018 g23 with 47hrs sheared this weekend. Are folks contacting nautique directly?


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I would contact your dealer right away....and send pictures. He should be able to expedite for you tho if that route does not work then I would accelerate direct to Nautique. Most dealers are good tho and should be anxious to help you get thru the repair process quickly if you bought from them.

[Tallredrider]

Jeez, be careful. You don't want to end up "bitter" like me.


"I know if I bought a G, I would pay a little more money to know my shaft wont fall off in the middle of lake one day!"

Maybe this will be an "option" in 2019. You can choose forged or not forged...Just kidding.


I just want Nautique to come clean, be transparent, and provide decent updates on the matter. That's all...

Hahaha! Scottb, you got me there.

I might consider becoming bitter if my prop falls off at the beginning of a week long lake trip that I spent thousands on. I probably won't hang out here to share how disappointed I am about it for more than a couple of weeks.

On this issue, I drank the Koolaid that it was just a manufacturer problem and they switched in 2017...but it still happens...then the same now for 2018. I am on the books somewhere on this site defending that they had now gotten a new vendor and this was old news. Looks like they really need to bite the bullet if there is a stronger shaft available.

[aswartz18]

I would contact your dealer right away....and send pictures. He should be able to expedite for you tho if that route does not work then I would accelerate direct to Nautique. Most dealers are good tho and should be anxious to help you get thru the repair process quickly if you bought from them.

Thanks. My dealer is in the case but, doesn’t think warranty will cover the cost of the tow...

We will see.


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[aswartz18]

I posted in the other thread but will add here for another data point. 2018 g23 47 hrs 450hp. Prop sheared...


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[Beach-TJ]

Are all the shafts shearing at the output of the strut?

[charlesml3]

Are all the shafts shearing at the output of the strut?

Yes. At least I haven't seen or heard of one shearing anywhere else.

Nautique is replacing shafts and props, even for boats that are way out of warranty.

-Charles

[scottb7]

Yes, above is true but out of warranty the norm is covering parts but NOT labor.