Prop contact with trailer

[rsinger]

I'm looking for what went wrong. I was lifting both boat and trailer to get all the tires off, so I can get at the hubs and do the bearings (the Supra). After I got everything settled I noticed there was a clearance issue with the prop. Now it's making contact with the steel section underneath it by about 1/8". I checked all the welds and tubing for cracked paint or anything that might indicate where something might have shifted but couldn't find anything. I did notice, however, that there was rusted bare metal under the prop indicating that there might have been some minor contact. I checked the prop and everything seemed smooth and fine. No bent blades or anything to indicate that there had been any contact.

At this stage I'm not going to be concerned until I've got the tires back on and the trailer is in its proper stance.

On the chance that, when I've completed everything, the prop is still contacting the trailer I need to prepare and have a game plan on what needs to be done.

I haven't searched the forum yet for similar issues, but plan to.

1. Has anyone run into this before?
2. Anyone know what kind of clearance there should be?
3. What can be done to fix this?

I've got access to acetyline, welding gear, etc.



If you notice, the cross section of iron at the back of the trailer is even higher than where the prop is touching, so this whole section is probably going to have to go down about 1/2".

Good thing I've still got the outback.

[rdlangston13]

no need to cut the trailer. just launch the boat, take the rear bunks loose and add shims (washers) between the bunks and the mounts to raise them a little to achieve the proper clearance.

[rsinger]

Thanks David. Sweet easy fix. Really appreciate it. Saved me a bit of time looking through the forums.

More importantly, you saved me a sleepless night. I said I wasn't going to worry, but talk is cheep.

However I just went out again and found a partial reason why the prop is hitting the trailer. The tie down straps are pulling the boat down. When I released them I almost got enough clearance for the prop.

I don't think anything shifted. Along with the tie down straps, once the trailer and boat go into the water the boat will start to float while the trailer sinks, creating additional clearance.

Might be an idea to take a go pro under the water to see this actually happen.

I'm heading downstairs to get my second beer now. Good thing the son filled the fridge.

[rdlangston13]

Thanks David. Sweet easy fix. Really appreciate it. Saved me a bit of time looking through the forums.

More importantly, you saved me a sleepless night. I said I wasn't going to worry, but talk is cheep.

However I just went out again and found a partial reason why the prop is hitting the trailer. The tie down straps are pulling the boat down. When I released them I almost got enough clearance for the prop.

I don't think anything shifted. Along with the tie down straps, once the trailer and boat go into the water the boat will start to float while the trailer sinks, creating additional clearance.

Might be an idea to take a go pro under the water to see this actually happen.

I'm heading downstairs to get my second beer now. Good thing the son filled the fridge.

Go Pro would never work where I live, you can't see 3 inches through the water but up there where yall are the water is a bit more clear. If you have the handle bar mount you may about to attach it to a broom pole or a short pvc pipe and stick it down there to have a look around. may make for a cool clip in a summer summary video as well

[mmandley]

Good advise Dave i was going to say the same thing, just not washers, was thinking more of starboard spacers. Might look into what the stock prop was, and what prop is on there now. Last owner might have upgraded and knew the clearance was tight and was just very careful.

[sandm]

I agree with mike. if that was my boat and clearance was that tight, I'd do 1/2" starboard spacers, and while I was at it, might as well do new bunks, carpet and bolts. finish the job right. I think I'd also hit the spots where the paint was scraped off with a bit of sandpaper and some touchup paint to fight rust/corrosion. not a fun day at the boat launch but rewarding.

[rdlangston13]

If you're gonna replace all that, might as well go back in with thru bolts and toss the lag bolts


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[wolfeman131]

never need to check the nuts again

Terrible advice. You should always check your nuts.

[kaneboats]

And congratulations on raising such a fine son.

[jpetty3023]

Terrible advice. You should always check your nuts.

damn near just died after reading that. sure wad a good ab workout from laughing so hard


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