Scraped bottom

[Rob406]

I *think* i hit bottom with my evinrude 50 outboard (15’ sunbird) yesterday going through a necessary shallow channel by the boat launch. Was going just barely fast enough for headway speed, heard kind of a light thud and the engine stalled. Proceeded to enjoy the rest of the day, several hours with no noticeable issue. After coming home i think there is prop damage that wasnt there before. Two of the blades are sort of chewed up. I think i can file it out. Nothing is bent and the skeg and bottom of boat are all fine. I don’t *believe* i damaged anything. I do not have power trim, it is weight assist with a lock mechanism. I had the motor locked all the way down when this happened. Stupid me. In hindsight i should have at least left it unlocked so it could “ride over” any obstacles. Going back to the launch i locked it in trimmed up as high as possible. Maneuverability was harder but i did not hit anything. However it is locked in its position. My question is it better to leave it unlocked and all the way down or to trim up as high as possible and lock it in? Just looking for thoughts and opinions, trying to get comfortable in shallower waters.

 

[Crosbyman]

I have seen and had..... a lot worse. file the prop equally as possible and use it as a spare . you need two anyway and a wrench in the tool box

check for any new.. stange vibrations if none you are probably OK

always keep unlocked cruising...... locked up for travel and... stay away from shallow waters

set an alarm on your fish/depth sounder

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Agreed, I never lock mine down.

 

[That old Mercury]

I *think* i hit bottom with my evinrude 50 outboard (15’ sunbird) yesterday going through a necessary shallow channel by the boat launch. Was going just barely fast enough for headway speed, heard kind of a light thud and the engine stalled. Proceeded to enjoy the rest of the day, several hours with no noticeable issue. After coming home i think there is prop damage that wasnt there before. Two of the blades are sort of chewed up. I think i can file it out. Nothing is bent and the skeg and bottom of boat are all fine. I don’t *believe* i damaged anything. I do not have power trim, it is weight assist with a lock mechanism. I had the motor locked all the way down when this happened. Stupid me. In hindsight i should have at least left it unlocked so it could “ride over” any obstacles. Going back to the launch i locked it in trimmed up as high as possible. Maneuverability was harder but i did not hit anything. However it is locked in its position. My question is it better to leave it unlocked and all the way down or to trim up as high as possible and lock it in? Just looking for thoughts and opinions, trying to get comfortable in shallower waters.

Dont beat yourself up too bad you side swipped a rock even if the motor would have been unlocked the damage would have done.
Just keep it unlocked in case the skeg hits something.
I have done the same thing a few times with the motor unlocked and motor did not kick up at all.
With a little filing you be good to go!

 

[Rob406]

Thanks guys. Gotta learn somehow, lol

 

[cyclops222]

Just plan ahead better if you DO NOT lock it down.
You CAN NOT use 1/2 or more power in REVERSE. The prop will climb right out of the water often. Pulling into docks requires locking it down in my dock.

 

[Rob406]

Hey how do i identify my prop in order to buy a spare (or make current one a spare)

 

[That old Mercury]

The prop information will be stamped into it.
I am not close to my motor so i found a pic on the internet showing how it is stamped .
I have saw some stamped on either end of the propellor so you may have to remove it . If its not visible on the outside.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Hand file....mill bastard.

Sharpen.....go have fun.

 

[cyclops222]

Sharp blades DO DO cut someone's fingers sometime. All none power tilt motors are in that class. NO need for sharp edges.
Unless you race in competition events.

 

[Rob406]

Thanks, even in its current state it seemed fine, i like to cruise but also at times just go slow. Not making any high speed passes by any stretch of the imagination

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Pretty sure I didn't say "sharpen it so you can fillet fish" just file it down to get rid of any burrrs

Mostly you just want to make sure it's still balanced.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

I *think* i hit bottom with my evinrude 50 outboard (15’ sunbird) yesterday going through a necessary shallow channel by the boat launch. Was going just barely fast enough for headway speed, heard kind of a light thud and the engine stalled. Proceeded to enjoy the rest of the day, several hours with no noticeable issue. After coming home i think there is prop damage that wasnt there before. Two of the blades are sort of chewed up. I think i can file it out. Nothing is bent and the skeg and bottom of boat are all fine. I don’t *believe* i damaged anything. I do not have power trim, it is weight assist with a lock mechanism. I had the motor locked all the way down when this happened. Stupid me. In hindsight i should have at least left it unlocked so it could “ride over” any obstacles. Going back to the launch i locked it in trimmed up as high as possible. Maneuverability was harder but i did not hit anything. However it is locked in its position. My question is it better to leave it unlocked and all the way down or to trim up as high as possible and lock it in? Just looking for thoughts and opinions, trying to get comfortable in shallower waters.

Just a few battle scars. Doesn't look to bad. Could of been worse.

 

[F_R]

Mfr's say to lock it down for control. They have a built-in release mechanism that will automatically release the lock if you run aground. Hey, if you hit a solid rock at 30mph, you probably will bust something from the impact, locked or not.

 

[driz]

If the chewed edge becomes an issue check with a couple of the local steel fabrication businesses. Those are the guys who do most of the prop work for the boat dealers in marinas. They usually have a guy who does that specialized welding and rebalancing. When they’re done it’s almost as good as new and most cases. The last time I did a prop I think it was 65 bucks for an inboard MerCruiser. I found that it’s also one of the best places to buy a new prep and it always says handy to have another one.
Most perhaps can be fixed unless they’re chewed off or worn too far down. I had one that was done at least three or four times once.
Also, don’t ever ever lock your motor down if it’s capable of that if you’re gonna crawl in the shallows. It doesn’t always help, but it always makes the damage a lot less.

 

[cyclops222]

I have stopped going over the boulder areas at idle speed. Every CLUNK and stalled engine is not worth it. Sometimes I have the drive locked down. Old brain.

 

[jimmbo]

Installing Power Trim or Tilt would have a few Benefits. Replacing and/or Repairing a few Props a couple of times, and overall Costs are Similar

 

[Rob406]

Thanks everyone

 

[dwco5051]

I could smooth out those burrs with the file on my leatherman tool. I wish that was the worst damage I ever did to a prop in my 74 years of operating power boats. Smooth it up and go boating but having a spare is always a good idea.