lower unit question after hitting submerged object

[wayneo99]

last nite we hit a sunken mooring with chain, about 4k rpm wrapped chain around the prop and stopped us in our tracks. the chain doug into the case and froze up the prop 2:30 im the AM comming home from fishing...

major PIA.
got the boat out 3 hrs later.

trashed housing but no leaks, bent prop shaft, torn up prop.

motor runs as it always did at idle, shifts fine and revs up nicely on land.

yamaha certified tech says power head should be fine. When they take down the LU they will inspect the drive shaft spline.
If it looks good then all I will need is a new complete lower unit.

they said the carrier or something in the gear case will break first before power head damage occurs.


the tech is suggesting a new unit, or a "certified" rebuilt one from yamaha depending on insurance.

any thoughts.
thanks

 

[jevery]

Re: lower unit question after hitting submerged object

Your insurance will have a deductible so you?ll have to pay your part. $500 is a common deductible. If the mechanic tells your insurance carrier that it?ll cost $ 3,500 to repair your engine and that amount happens to include a new lower unit then there shouldn?t be any cost difference to you between a new and a rebuilt lower unit. Your carrier, however, may deal with this occurrence regularly and may specify an estimate with a rebuilt part. I that case you will have to make the choice of paying only your deductible or your deductible plus the difference between a new and a rebuilt part. Then you?ll have to weigh that difference with your budget and your feelings about rebuilt parts. Personally, a factory certified rebuilt unit would be fine with me, unless the motor was new or nearly new. Then I might consider paying more, but only if my budget allowed.