Boat shaking

[rappleby99]

Hi, Today, we hit something (probably a log) and the engine stopped. We were running at aprox. 10mph, after starting again, the boat was shaking a bit.

After pulling the boat out of the lake, checked the propeller, rudder, etc. and everything looked fine, except for a little scratch on propeller (hardly noticeable)

My question is.....what else could it be, or what should I check.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

[74green]

Even small dings in the prop can cause vibrations. If not the prop check into the shaft alignment.

[SkiTower]

Agreed. One blade might be out of alignment and not visibly wrong. I've had a prop fixed and it looked great, put it on, and had a vibration. Thought I then had shaft problems or something more serious. Turned out to be the prop wasn't fixed just right.

I find it hard to believe you hit something hard enough to stop the engine and didn't knock the prop out of balance at the minimum.

[HS]

Hi, Today, we hit something (probably a log) and the engine stopped. We were running at aprox. 10mph, after starting again, the boat was shaking a bit.

After pulling the boat out of the lake, checked the propeller, rudder, etc. and everything looked fine, except for a little scratch on propeller (hardly noticeable)

My question is.....what else could it be, or what should I check.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

From what I understand, that is something to definitely get checked out ASAP.

[DanielC]

With the boat on the trailer, engine off, try to turn the propeller by hand. It should turn easily, and smoothly. If the propeller turns easy part of a turn and harder for another part of the turn, that is a good indication you bent the propeller shaft.

[swooddc]

thats going to be the prop.

[rappleby99]

Thanks everyone,

I didn't feel any difference when turning the propeller 360, however, will try again, nice advice.

I guess will have to take the propeller to be checked

[Flipside]

95% chance it's the prop. Even if prop looks fine, one (or all) of the blades could be off a degree or so. You can notice it when you pull the prop off and place it on a flat surface (like a table). When on a flat surface, if the prop is able to wobble (i.e. if one or more blades is off the flat surface), then you need to get your prop repaired (which will set you back around $100).