Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by arthureld on 08/01/07 - 6:59 PM

It didn't take me long to break my boat. :(
I hit the bottom with my prop and now I can only go slow or it slips.
At least I made it home.

From what I've heard so far, I think I need to replace the rubber hub that goes on the prop shaft.

Can I fix that myself?
Do I need special tools, or should I just pay someone else to do it?
It's on a 1984 185 hp Johnson.
How can I find out which hub I need?

Long Island Great South Bay is soo shallow.

Edited by arthureld on 08/01/07 - 7:20 PM

Posted by joninnj on 08/01/07 - 7:43 PM

Hi Art,

Some props have hubs that can be repaired by the user. There are kit and tools available. If you know what kind of prop you have maybe we can figure it out. Either case it is not expensive to repair if you send it out (if no other damage). Would a good idea to have a spare. This happens to all of us ;)

Edited by joninnj on 08/01/07 - 7:45 PM

Posted by arthureld on 08/02/07 - 6:48 AM

Thanks Jon,
My boat has to come out of the water this weekend anyway to be fitted on my new trailer, so I'll just take it in and have the new hub put in.

Posted by Jeff on 08/02/07 - 7:21 AM

Was the prop you hit bottom with stainless or Aluminum? If you hit hard you could have also broken or damaged the internal ring and pinion gears as well. When you get a good prop on it put the boat on plane and have someone else pilot it. Go to the stern and listen for a dieseling sound. If you hear a pronounced sound you have lost parts or entire teeth off the gear/s. At that point the only way to for sure tell is to have the lower unit opened up.

You can have the prop re-hubbed no problem. Do you have a spare prop Roger? If not use the re-hubber one as a spare and get another prop.

Edited by Jeff on 08/02/07 - 7:33 AM

Posted by arthureld on 08/02/07 - 7:35 AM

Thanks Jeff, I think the prop is stainless. It's real clean now. :D
I'm quite certain the bottom is soft where I hit. But I'll take your advice and listen for bad sounds. I was thinking a spare prop would be a good Idea.
That way I could possibly fix it myself on the spot or nearby.
I was about 5 miles from home when it happened. It would be hell getting home going so slow if I was 20 miles or more from home.

Posted by MW on 08/02/07 - 1:46 PM

I've done that, best advice is to save it as a spare, I only run "Aluminum" props for that reason, it's "shoaly" around here, the bottom is usually sand or mud and shells, if I tap out, it's usually survivable. The North shore is different "Rocky", plenty of deep water, in many places when the tide goes out, boulders are exposed, if you tap out there, an aluminum prop is "TOAST", a stainless steel one will send the shock wave far up the lower unit, possibly causing severe damage.
mw