Yesterday it finally happened...we hit something in the lake. We have a 2002 Sunsetter on the diamond hull running a standard ACME 541 prop. We were barely moving but in gear and struck something underwater - likely a piece of submerged concrete wall near the boat ramp. It bend around 3/4" of one blade pretty good so I have a couple questions....
1. Which prop do I replace it with? ACME says a 475 will give a better/softer wake for skiing and I would love to tame the rooster tail just a bit - has anyone tried this switch from a 515 to 475 and what was their result?
2. The boat makes a whining noise in gear now - the shaft rotates about like it did before and doesn't seem to have any tightness or different feel - should I pull the shaft and have it checked? Who can check for a bend propshaft?
3. In my research I have found that you have to drop the rudder to pull the shaft - If I end up going that route - how hard it this to do? The rudder seems to be buried under the fuel tank and the far rear so what is the easiest way to access it?
At least it's October and not July but I was hoping for another week or 2 of skiing before winterization time.
Thanks for your help!