brentsmiley
08-04-2008, 11:32 AM
So, I was spending a lovely day at New Melones Lake in Sonora CA. Everything was perfect. The water was glass and the day was grand. On the last run to the beach to load up, my boat found a rock. I was over 150 feet from shore and had alreadly throttled down (thank God) when my boat just stopped with a loud thud. No warning at all. No murkiness, no brown in the water, just a rocky spire sitting under the water waiting for me.
After quickly opening my bilge cover and checking for water (none thank God again) I tried to continue to the beach. I realized that I had no steering. Whacked my rudder it seems. After loading up and turning the boat around we headed for the ramp. Luckily the rudder was frozen in a somewhat neutral position and the launch ramp was directly accross from the beach. It's amazing how rudderlike a wakeboard can be when held over the side of the transom.
Anything over 5mpg caused severe vibration, so it was a long trip back.
Seven years and nothing like this had ever happened before.
There is a big ding in the prop, the rudder is bent up into the hull, and I think the drive shaft has a slight bend in it. Expensive trip.
Question, how likely is it that the damage extends into the tranny? What if anything do I need to have my mechanic check other than the exposed portions of the drive train?
We love Melones, but it is at under 50% capacity, impossible to mark all of the hazards so I can't blame them.
Any help would be appreciated.
After quickly opening my bilge cover and checking for water (none thank God again) I tried to continue to the beach. I realized that I had no steering. Whacked my rudder it seems. After loading up and turning the boat around we headed for the ramp. Luckily the rudder was frozen in a somewhat neutral position and the launch ramp was directly accross from the beach. It's amazing how rudderlike a wakeboard can be when held over the side of the transom.
Anything over 5mpg caused severe vibration, so it was a long trip back.
Seven years and nothing like this had ever happened before.
There is a big ding in the prop, the rudder is bent up into the hull, and I think the drive shaft has a slight bend in it. Expensive trip.
Question, how likely is it that the damage extends into the tranny? What if anything do I need to have my mechanic check other than the exposed portions of the drive train?
We love Melones, but it is at under 50% capacity, impossible to mark all of the hazards so I can't blame them.
Any help would be appreciated.