Need Help Assessing Damage

[BigWake]

Bad day. Hit a good size submerged log at 17 mph. Vibration starts just above idle speed. Looks like its taking on some water also. Put it on the lift for tonight and will take it out tomorrow. Need some help on what to check for as i"m taking it out and what to ask or make sure the fiberglass boat repair guy does or does not due. Prop had no "visible" bends/dents it in it, then looked up and saw the hull/strut damage. Am i done for the summer, any idea of $$$,

Appreciate the help.

Thanks,

Joe in Lake Saint Louis, MO

[Bobby Light]

Bad day. Hit a good size submerged log at 17 mph. Vibration starts just above idle speed. Looks like its taking on some water also. Put it on the lift for tonight and will take it out tomorrow. Need some help on what to check for as i"m taking it out and what to ask or make sure the fiberglass boat repair guy does or does not due. Prop had no "visible" bends/dents it in it, then looked up and saw the hull/strut damage. Am i done for the summer, any idea of $$$,

Appreciate the help.

Thanks,

Joe in Lake Saint Louis, MO

If the fiberglass is just cracked it can usually be repaired. If it became delaminated due to the impact that section will have to be cut out and repaired. Yes you are done and shouldn't run the boat like that until it's fixed. No idea what that would cost in your part of the country, alot less than in my part of the country though.

Edited July 28, 2010 by 06vlx

[Molarbu]

I don't have any helpful advice, but i just wanted to say I'm sad for you and good luck!

[Backfooter100]

I had cosmetic cracks in the same place this spring......including putting a re-enforcement plate on the top side the bill was $1200........

[Brent Wall]

I feel for you but it happens to the best of us. I hit a submerged rock several weeks ago. Cruise was set at 30mph with my son sking behind the boat. The boat hull did not hit the rock; just the running gear. It mangled the prop, bent the rudder and prop shaft strut. There was some very minor spider cracks around the strut and rudder mounts. Total repair bill: $3,900. The gelcoat work was at least half of this. It was repaired in two places but the damage was much less significant than is shown in your picture. It took two weeks for the dealer to get the parts and make the repairs. I just got the boat back on Friday.

[fijidaniel]

Check to see if you can spin the prop by hand. If not, the shaft is bent. If the strut hit the object, I am not sure how you can do that much damage without bending the strut in some way.

[TEXWAKE]

I would say go ahead and take the prop and shaft off and examine it by eye. Looks like your going to be taking it off anyways with that fiberglass work. Just be sure to keep the keys for the shaft and prop...learned that the hard way.

[99response]

Assuming you need a new shaft, strut, and a prop rework, I'd say $2500 and a couple weeks to fix it up.

I'd give the insurance company a call.

-Chris

[areamike]

Assuming you need a new shaft, strut, and a prop rework, I'd say $2500 and a couple weeks to fix it up.

I'd give the insurance company a call.

-Chris

[kdg]

Just did the same thing to my echelon over the w/end. Bent prop and shaft, strut, strut bearings gone, bent rudder. Also have fiberglass damage at the strut. Took it to Ski Shack in Springfield and got an estimate of $2600. I have State Farm ins. and looks like they will cover all the damage.

[BigWake]

Thanks for the help everybody. I'm taking it to Farmers Fiberglass (Mike Farmer). He seems to have the most experience in our region.

Ski ya later,

Joe

[kiley]

Thanks for the help everybody. I'm taking it to Farmers Fiberglass (Mike Farmer). He seems to have the most experience in our region.

Ski ya later,

Joe

I hate to say it but if you are taking on water, you probably broke the seal at the HDS. If you need more info look on the sight for the Hydronic Damper System. If the damage is extensive it may be worth looking at putting a shaft log in in place of the HDS.

Edit:

Good news, my memory was right. Sunset_bob had his HDS repaier/replaced at Farmers as well. Check out this thread:

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index.php?/topic/11907-infamous-hds-leak/page__st__20

Edited July 28, 2010 by kiley

[BigWake]

I took the boat to Farmer's today. The wet box seal had been broken. Looks more like the wet box itself is secured to the floor by adhesive rather than layer(s) of molded fiberglass fabric. Either way the fiberglass work (inside and outside), new strut, new shaft and serviced prop all total $5000.

Kiley, thanks for the link to sunset bobs prior work with photos.

It looks like some people have also opted to put a fiberglass "log" over the shaft inside the wet box. Appears to be an additional layer of protection in case the wet box seal is broken. Also looks like it may reduce some noise? Any comments...

Thanks,

Joe

[99response]

I'd just have them fix the HDS and make sure they warranty the repair.

[nevertwobig]

I had a similar accident last week, hit a hardwood 4x4 at 30mph. Still waiting for the estimate. Ripped a tracking fin off, bent the strut and the drive shaft, damaged the prop, bent the wedge, and had significant fiberglass damage by the strut and fin. Been trying to get the total but they are waiting for parts prices. Any clue?

[WakingMeHappy]

I would be calling my insurance company.

[nevertwobig]

just got the final estimate today, just shy of $2500. A whole lot less than I thought. Insurance will cover all but the deductable, thank God!