Hit a log

[William Walter]

Not a good day today as I hit a submerged log in the middle of the ocean. I knew right away that both props were hit and damage had accured .was able to limp home at idle.hopefully tomorrow boat gets hauled and I can see the damage. I’m thinking at this point just props but could be worse. I’m sure insurance will be involved so I want make sure I cover all my bases.I’m thinking cutlass bearings,struts,shaft seals,shaft checked.is there any way to check transmission for damage.At idle for 4 hours coming home no leaks.only leak was from impact but just a few drops through shaft seals.Engines seem fine along with transmission.normal pressures and temperatures.Bill

Topic

[William Walter]

Prop

I’m trying to do a little research about my props so I can talk to the prop shop a little more intelligently before they do the redo on my props.As I mentioned above the cup was changed to .063 from my last reconditioning when it was .046.Thinking of having them go back to .046 but was wondering about slippage.Heard it’s supposed to be below 10 percent.Just wondering how slippage is measured .Is this done at the prop shop or whatever to determine cup.Bill

[William Walter]

Props

So I got the paperwork from the prop shop. I was a little suspect when it was dated 2013 but that aside I noticed one blade way less pitch than other 2 on the stbd prop.The stbd being the prop of concern.Not sure how much a factor this is.Also cupping at .063 as compared to .046 when I had Props’s conditioned in 2017.The props are going back to the prop shop,bossler and sweezey . They are backed up right now so I have a little time to figure things out. I’m not sure what’s going on with the right prop but suspect they messed up with the cup. I know cupping helps with slippage but little else.Wondering if I should go back to the .46 cupping or not.Enclosed are prop reports from 2017 and 2021 which says 2013.

[William Walter]

Props

So it was determined by my yard that the extent of the damage was isolated to the props. Props were sent to bosseler for repair and I asked them to take 1/2 inch of pitch out to dial in my engines. I got boat back in yesterday and went for a sea trial. I typically cruise at 2100 .beginning of the season numbers were fuel burn 13.3 but as season goes on I was up to 14.3 before hitting the log.Bottom was pressure washed and reconditioned props installed for sea trial.My port engine was exactly where I thought it should be at 12.8 at 2100 rpm.This engine typically burned more than my stbd engine.unfortunately the stbd engine is at 14.7 now at 2100 rpm.At full power I get 2680 on port and 90 percent load.on stbd I get 2650 and 100 percent load. I’m happy with the numbers from the port engine but the stbd engine seems to still have an over propping issue. I mentioned to the service manager my situation and requested the paperwork from the reconditioning.Low priority right now as everyone is preparing for the hurricane. I would think the prop shop messed up but am not totally sure it’s that.Stbd prop took the brunt of the hit.If the prop shop got it right then I have some other issue but not sure where to start.Bill

[William Walter]

Yes was at cruise speed.7 miles off block.Hit with both props what I would say was about a 6 to 8 inch tree branch.no other debris with it.pulled back throttles and checked bilge. No water leaking except a couple of drops I imagine from the pss at impact.Kept it at idle for trip back.No more leakage and no vibration but maybe a slight wobble like that.Montauk couldn’t help us till Monday so we came back like that.checked shafts every half hour .to the eye no wobble.

[Rob Schepis]

Were you at cruise speed?
Did you observe the shafts when you were idling back? Any noted deflection?
Where exactly were you?
Another friend just struck a submerged log running offshore out of moriches the other day, he was about 15 miles off when he hit. His damage was props only.

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