Stainless Prop and Sand

[thinkxingu]

Quick question: coming into my beach today my stainless prop hit sand for a second or two before pulling my motor up--should I be concerned? I always hear SS props are unforgiving. I looked and couldn't see anything different, not even a "shinier" spot.

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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Quick question: coming into my beach today my stainless prop hit sand for a second or two before pulling my motor up--should I be concerned? I always hear SS props are unforgiving. I looked and couldn't see anything different, not even a "shinier" spot.

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If you looked and saw no visible damage, I wouldn't worry about it.

Have fun!

Dan

[Dave R]

no problem. SS is very forgiving of such things.

[icg56]

The drive shaft can be damaged with prop looking ok. Hope not, but just mentioning, not forgiving.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by icg56

The drive shaft can be damaged with prop looking ok. Hope not, but just mentioning, not forgiving.

How would I know? It's a Mercury outboard on the back of a tritoon, BTW.

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[8gv]

One can do a fair amount of roto-tilling in sand at low power with nothing getting damaged.

If your personal paranoia is seeking a new outlet, I suggest getting the prop shaft run out measured via a dial indicator after your season is over.

I would not do so.

[icg56]

Last time my kids did this on our Four Winns it was $700 for:

"labor to pull lower unit.replace Inner propshaft, reseal, reshim, put back on boat and lake test."

They noted vibration on inspection.

[thinkxingu]

I'll be taking it out again next weekend and will pay close attention to vibration. It was really deep, soft sand (as opposed to a thin layer on top of hard pack), so I'm hoping I'm OK. Thanks, all!

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[Dave R]

I assume you were at or near idle speed, if so, and there was no "BANG!" or "CLUNK-CLUNK-CLUNK", there's really nothing to worry about; especially if the engine did not stall, ut if it did stall that's not necessarily bad.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Dave R

I assume you were at or near idle speed, if so, and there was no "BANG!" or "CLUNK-CLUNK-CLUNK", there's really nothing to worry about; especially if the engine did not stall, ut if it did stall that's not necessarily bad.

Yes, idle speed, and I shut down/raised the motor within a second or two of feeling it. The ground also dropped off again after the raised section--it looks like it was a higher area from others power loading onto the beach.

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[Joebon]

You would notice vibration if you damaged the shaft. Also, how do you know it was the propeller that hit and not the skeg?


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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Yes, idle speed, and I shut down/raised the motor within a second or two of feeling it. The ground also dropped off again after the raised section--it looks like it was a higher area from others power loading onto the beach.

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Again, from what you describe I would not worry about it in the least. As Dave said above unless you heard or felt a bad clunk or thud it is highly unlikely you did any damage.

Dan

[Cobalt 25]

I boat on Cape Cod that has a LOT of sand. I have run through sand a zillion times with no damage I wouldn't worry about it.

However, a couple of times were to the extreme and clogged the cooling system and I had to disassemble the hoses to clean them out. Not fun.

But really, unless you have vibration or your "engine overheating" alarm going off, don't worry, be happy.

[thinkxingu]

Fingers crossed, thanks everybody!

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