Rudder/Driveshaft Damage

[nautique18]

I have an '83 2001 Nautique that is in excellent shape. While skiing this past weekend, we hit an underwater stump and immediately noticed sluggish steering and a vibration upon acceleration. We limped back to the launch and, after pulling it out of the water, it was clear that the rudder had been bent (sluggish steering) and the driveshaft support in the back of the boat (directly in front of the prop) was also bent pretty badly as well (causing the driveshaft to be bent -- thus the vibration). I'm not sure what these two pieces are made of but they have a look similar to brass. My question is whether or not these two pieces could somehow be straightened? If so, how? Am I just kidding myself that I could somehow get the driveshaft support bent back to the proper angle and, by doing so, would allow the driveshaft to run "true" again? Or am I looking at a wholesale replacement of driveshaft, driveshaft support and rudder? Any insight you might have would be appreciated.

[DRAGON88]

RE: Rudder/Driveshaft Damage

You're looking at replacement of pretty much everything unfortunately. Strut, drive shaft and rudder. The strut and rudder are in fact made of brass, so that in a collision they will bend/ break instead of ripping out of your hull.

[Mikeski]

RE: Rudder/Driveshaft Damage

If you are good with your hands then you can replace all the parts yourself, order them from Mid-Ohio Nautiques and save 15% with the planetnautique discount, maybe $1200 in parts. If not then you are probably looking at $2-3k in repairs (should be covered by insurance).

[DavidF]

RE: Rudder/Driveshaft Damage

I recently replace all the parts mentioned above. Shaft from aftermarket, strut and rudder from CC dealer.

Strut (w/new bearing): $300.59
Rudder (w/trim tab): $454.50
Rudder port: $151.50 (check yours, it probably is bent if you bent the rudder)
ACME 422: $325.00
Shaft $145.00
Skeg: $75.76/ea.

You may find the parts cheaper, I just thought I would list it out so you would know about what it was going to cost. A prop shop may be able to repair the rudder if just slightly bent, but they crack easily.

[BigBald]

RE: Rudder/Driveshaft Damage

Keep in mind that there might be more damage than easily apparent. I hit a stump or something last summer and really only saw a damaged Prop. After taking it to the Dealer, the shaft was bent, shaft support (strut?) was bent, and I had fiberglass stress cracks. I am a rookie about this type of things....but I had a very seasoned veteran with me that agreed with my initial estimate of damage.

I was really glad that I took it to a pro.

[DavidF]

RE: Rudder/Driveshaft Damage

Yep, I had to do fiberglass repair as well as replace all the parts listed above. Both the fiberglass at the rudder port and strut was damaged badly.

[Mikeski]

RE: Rudder/Driveshaft Damage

Be aware that a lot of dealers are gaming the insurance companies on these repairs. When I bought my old boat we picked it up for a test drive at the dealer after a recent replacement of prop, shaft and strut. These were done after a minor incident with a rock at Lake Tahoe while idling through the marina. The previous owner just took it to the dealer and said fix it.

While trying to determine how badly the boat may have been damaged I asked the mechanic where the old parts were and he pointed me to a bin filled with old shafts and struts. Much to my surprise many of the shafts and struts were perfect but being tossed? I asked the mechanic why they are replacing perfectly good struts and shafts and he said because that's the agreement they have with the insurance companies? Whenever their is a prop damage situation they just pay for shaft/strut/prop so there is no issue in the future. The bill to the insurance company was just under $2k when all that was really needed was a $300 prop. The owner didn't care since he was paying the deductible in any case.

It just irks me a bit to know that I am paying for this through my insurance rates.

[BigBald]

RE: Rudder/Driveshaft Damage

Our dealer (whom I trust completely) was very dedicated in making sure that the damage was documented and tracked. Various pictures were taken during the entire process. And....of course, once we started looking at the damage (with the help of a professional) it became obvious. I consider myself very lucky every time I here stories about dealers that are less then completely honest.

[surroundsound64]

Re: RE: Rudder/Driveshaft Damage

Our dealer (whom I trust completely) was very dedicated in making sure that the damage was documented and tracked. Various pictures were taken during the entire process. And....of course, once we started looking at the damage (with the help of a professional) it became obvious. I consider myself very lucky every time I here stories about dealers that are less then completely honest.

Once you find a good, honest dealer, don't let go!