Am I on the right track?
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Am I on the right track?
I have a new to me Baja Hammer 1997. 454 - 7.4L Stock - Bravo 1 - 25p prop about 400 hrs?
I hit a rocky area and whacked off half my skeg, bent the prop and maybe more! I was going about 30 mph and the rocks were about 6" below the surface I traveled through about 6' of them. I shut the engine down immediately (without letting off the throttle and it stuck in gear - towed to ramp by US TOW). At least the kids had fun..."daddy broke the boat".
The dealer advised that the propshaft was bent to .017" (I guess it should be less than .005"). And quoted a new lower unit and prop. They're not sure about any other damage until the lower can be put on and water tested. I don't think they tore it apart.
The price they quoted for the lower unit was high and I found a new one with DWP for much less - about $1500. I checked with Mercruiser and they advised that the DWP lower unit will work fine and should bolt right on.
I'm afraid I'm missing something so I thought I'd ask you guys - what do you think?
1 - buy the lower and see if that fixes it?
2 - buy the upper and lower and sell of the old upper if it's ok?
3 - replace the propshaft and have a new skeg welded on?
4 - what am I missing?
Thanks for any suggestions!
I hit a rocky area and whacked off half my skeg, bent the prop and maybe more! I was going about 30 mph and the rocks were about 6" below the surface I traveled through about 6' of them. I shut the engine down immediately (without letting off the throttle and it stuck in gear - towed to ramp by US TOW). At least the kids had fun..."daddy broke the boat".
The dealer advised that the propshaft was bent to .017" (I guess it should be less than .005"). And quoted a new lower unit and prop. They're not sure about any other damage until the lower can be put on and water tested. I don't think they tore it apart.
The price they quoted for the lower unit was high and I found a new one with DWP for much less - about $1500. I checked with Mercruiser and they advised that the DWP lower unit will work fine and should bolt right on.
I'm afraid I'm missing something so I thought I'd ask you guys - what do you think?
1 - buy the lower and see if that fixes it?
2 - buy the upper and lower and sell of the old upper if it's ok?
3 - replace the propshaft and have a new skeg welded on?
4 - what am I missing?
Thanks for any suggestions!
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Larry
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I'm not sure if the skeg has enough left to repair as there was some scraping to the nose of the lower unit.
I tried to quote out the repair, but was told it would cost about the same as a rebuild. I did find a new lower for a little more than a rebuild and just went ahead and bought it. I know it's prob. a waste, but I've goofed around too long and just want it done.
Thanks for your help. Here's the picture of the damage:
I tried to quote out the repair, but was told it would cost about the same as a rebuild. I did find a new lower for a little more than a rebuild and just went ahead and bought it. I know it's prob. a waste, but I've goofed around too long and just want it done.
Thanks for your help. Here's the picture of the damage:
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I'm not sure if the skeg has enough left to repair as there was some scraping to the nose of the lower unit.
I tried to quote out the repair, but was told it would cost about the same as a rebuild. I did find a new lower for a little more than a rebuild and just went ahead and bought it. I know it's prob. a waste, but I've goofed around too long and just want it done.
Thanks for your help. Here's the picture of the damage:
I tried to quote out the repair, but was told it would cost about the same as a rebuild. I did find a new lower for a little more than a rebuild and just went ahead and bought it. I know it's prob. a waste, but I've goofed around too long and just want it done.
Thanks for your help. Here's the picture of the damage:
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Here's a pict of the bottom. The scratches came after I stopped the boat, couldn't get it started and the tide pushed the boat over the rocky area again.
Now that the lower unit is on the way, I'm working on getting a prop. I had a Mirage 25p and thought I'd get a Mirage Plus 25p or maybe a Bravo 1 24 p.
Now that the lower unit is on the way, I'm working on getting a prop. I had a Mirage 25p and thought I'd get a Mirage Plus 25p or maybe a Bravo 1 24 p.
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you hit so hard it knocked the drain plug off center, ha-ha.
you may like the 24P B1, but it will cost you a little on top, but they sure make cruise nice. It should be fine with a used lower, just put it on and have fun.
larry
you may like the 24P B1, but it will cost you a little on top, but they sure make cruise nice. It should be fine with a used lower, just put it on and have fun.
larry
#9
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You will be better off with the new lower you bought. When you weld an entire skeg on, it will warp the case and could cause problems. So you did the best thing. The next thing to be concerned about is if there was any stress to the upper gears when the prop hit. Sometimes the shock can be transmitted to teeth in the upper gear set. I had this happen to me when my motor stopped abrubtly (self destruct) and after I got back on the water, a few hours later I lost some teeth on the driven gear. I dont believe you were winding that tight and hopefully the skeg took most of the energy before the blades on the prop hit. Just keep a listen to the upper when it is running at idle (there will be some noise) and in gear (should be quite) and keep an eye on the upper magnet for a while..
Hope this helps.
Dick
Hope this helps.
Dick
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Thanks for the comments - Larry and Dick.
I was hoping the upper is not hurt, but as you suggested, I'll listen and check the magnet. I'm gettting the new lower put on this week and scrounging around for a new prop. I didn't end up getting the the Bravo 1, but I found some used SS props at a marine supply place and will see if something there will work. Also looking into having the old prop redone - if the price is reasonable.
Thanks, Pat
I was hoping the upper is not hurt, but as you suggested, I'll listen and check the magnet. I'm gettting the new lower put on this week and scrounging around for a new prop. I didn't end up getting the the Bravo 1, but I found some used SS props at a marine supply place and will see if something there will work. Also looking into having the old prop redone - if the price is reasonable.
Thanks, Pat