Something went bump on they way to the dock...

[Surfsmith]

Was cruising about 18 mph when all of a sudden, big thump on the bottom of the boat, big bang, instant excessive vibration through steering - throttled back asap.
Nothing surfaced behind the boat, was able to idle the rest of the way back to the dock, but anything above idle there was significant vibration... when pulling into slip, when I put it in reverse there was a "clunk", again nothing surface in the water.
Examining the boat on the lift (best I can) I can find no scratches on gel coat, bent propeller, no dings or scratches on fins, propellor or rudder...
How does one check if the shaft is bent? What else should I look for?

I'm thinking possibly what ever "wooden thing" I hit, a part of it may have got stuck on the propellor, that dislodged when I put it in reverse when docking...

[OKWAKEBDR]

If you have any vibration at all, you need to get your propeller fixed (at a minimum). Even if it doesn't "look" bent, it probably is - it doesn't take much.

[surroundsound64]

I am guessing you probably got something stuck on your rudder. Bumping in reverse dislodged. Take it out for another drive.

[obd666]

How does one check if the shaft is bent? What else should I look for?

if you can get under it on the lift, wear some gloves and slowly turn the prop by hand (with boat off, needless to say lol) and observe the shaft. could probably see if its not spinning squarely in the bushing as it should. if you don't see anything, take it out again and see if something was just stuck under it.

[SkiTower]

2nd take it for another spin, and 2nd that it doesn't take much. Had one "fixed" and still had vibe until fixed again


2007 SV211 SE

[charlesml3]

Most likely you hit a "dead head." A log that's getting water-soaked and floating just under the surface of the water. Pretty much impossible to see. Almost for sure you have a bent flute or two on the prop. Pull the prop and get it repaired. You do have a spare prop, right?

-Charles

[Surfsmith]

Thanks for all the responses. Work has gotten in the way, so may not be until the weekend before I can have a closer look.
A spare prop has been on the wish list for a couple years now...

[SkiTower]

got my spare from Whitelake (nautiqueparts.com). It was a refurbished one and saved me a ton of money.


2007 SV211 SE

[charlesml3]

A spare prop has been on the wish list for a couple years now...

That needs to move to the top of your list. Right now. There's nothing worse than dinging your prop on the Friday afternoon before a long weekend. Your boat is out of commission until the following week. Always keep a spare prop around.

Buy a spare and put it on the boat. Send your bent one off for repair.

[jonsquatch]

That needs to move to the top of your list. Right now. There's nothing worse than dinging your prop on the Friday afternoon before a long weekend. Your boat is out of commission until the following week. Always keep a spare prop around.

Buy a spare and put it on the boat. Send your bent one off for repair.

+1 and get the weekend saver kit to store the prop and tools in. Also if you have ever thought about upgrading your prop you might want to do that now rather than ordering the same one. If you don't like it you only have to deal with it for a couple weeks until you get your original back and then you can either sell it and get a different one or just put it away as the spare. I ended up ordering the same 1579 I already had and now I kind of wish I had at least tried the upgraded prop.

[seachicken27]

It takes a lot to bend a shaft. I was towing a boarder in my '90 sport a few years ago and got into some shallow water on the river like a dummy. Prop hit the bottom at 20mph. Luckily it was a sandy bottom, but it almost threw the passengers in the backseat out of the boat. Limped back to the dock. Only 2 blades were slightly bent, got it fixed and no issues with the shaft. Good luck.

[s_kelley2000]

Also if you have ever thought about upgrading your prop you might want to do that now rather than ordering the same one. If you don't like it you only have to deal with it for a couple weeks until you get your original back and then you can either sell it and get a different one or just put it away as the spare.

If you order from site sponsor Delta Props then you can exchange the prop for another model if you are not happy wit it.

[wskiboy]

it most likely a stick that got lodged on your front skag .by putting the boat in reverse you un-lodged it

[josemolino]

Hi,
Check that fins are aligned. Sometimes there are no scratches but one of them is misaligned and that creates a lot of vibrations.
I do not think it´s the propeller because you can easily see it

[Surfsmith]

Well, finally got back to the boat tonight. Test drive revealed no more vibration at any speed or aggressive steering - kids thought that was fun! So must have had something caught on prop or rudder?
Put the boat on the trailer and brought it home for a closer look, was getting dark so will have to wait for daylight, but the propellor turns pretty freely by hand.

I have a 381 13.5x17.5VL and 343 engine. Max speed is just over 42 mph. In searching the forum I could not find any threads where anybody changed to a different prop. So at this point looking to get the exact same prop for a spare. Any other recommendation?

Also, any preference prop puller vrs harmonic device for removing prop?

Thanks