So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop...

[aarond0083]

I have been giving her driving lessons out on the lake each time we went out for the past 6 weeks with me in the boat so I figured it was time to let her give me a pull on her own. I guess I left out the part regarding picking up a fallen rider because she ate the line up after my first fall. I was able to get most of it off by hand and then cut the rest off with a knife with the boat still in the water. After I cut the last piece out in between the small gap from the prop to the guide that holds the shaft it looked like a seal had been burned into the rope. Maybe it just burnt the rope into the groove so it appeared that it was a seal. I couldn't tell

So, is there a rubber seal around the shaft right where it goes into the guide (or whatever it is called) right in front of the prop? I continued to use the boat that day and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

[ag4ever]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

There is a rubber bushing that is lubricated by the water.

There is no seal there, but there should be some grooves visable to let water flow down the shaft.

[aarond0083]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

Should the bushing be easy to see? There is definitely a groove there right where the shaft goes into the guide.

What is the purpose of the bushing? I guess I need to call my dealer and get another.

[darrel409]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

The strut bushing is a guide for the prop shaft and so the strut is not metal to metal with the shaft.

[aarond0083]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

I see. I assume all I will need to do is remove the prop and slide another bushing on?

[Hollywood]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

You probably don't need to do anything. You're asking for a lot of work changing out that bushing for what sounds like no real damage.

[bmh2208]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

When I did that just a few weeks back, I dug out what looked like a chewn up bushing. It really turned out to be the rope that had melted into the shape of it. You might be okay. We've been riding ever since with no problems. Does the shaft feel loose at all in the strut?

[aarond0083]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

Doesn't feel loose at all. I just want to make sure I didn't loose a bushing and if I did I want to get it back on there.

[ag4ever]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

Even if you lost the face of the bushing, you still should have plenty left to be ok. As long as you are not getting any vibrations, you should be fine. I would just be sure you got all the rope.

[Rick]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

The bushing runs almost the whole length of the strut. Removing 1/2 inch of it at one end or the other won't make any diference except to give the rope a place to go next time...

[aarond0083]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

I see. I going to just leave it alone then. I don't think it will affect the boat in any way with just the front of the bushing gone.

Women drivers....

[Rick]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

Women drivers....

You only say that because your girlfriend doesn't read this blog Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[RAB]

RE: So my girlfriend chewed up a spectra line with the prop.

Mine did the same- your boat is fine- she did it 3 years ago- second ride out. Last year she bent a prop with a surf rope handle. I went through 4 props and a shaft last year so I could not complain. The boats can handle lots of abuse!