Depth Finder and new prop? Advice......

[Fiat4Fun]

So,
I did it today, I have a 21' CC with a 260 Alpha One. I hit my prop on a rock when I was coming into the dock at the lake. I was going around two boats that were parked at the end of the pier, and went wide,,,,, and hit a rock ;-(

So, now I need some advice:

1. Would a depth finder with alarm given me a hint prior to doing damage?
If so, can you recommend a depth finder?

2. My prop currently has "2008 15 " engraved in the side. What does that mean? I thought my boat would be a 19 or 21? Any recommendations?

3. Should I send the old prop out for repair? If so, where? Any place in the Northwest?

Thanks so much for your advice...
Bob

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Depth Finder and new prop? Advice......

ahh these things happen....although a depth finder is great tool to have on a boat especially if you fish it will not necessarily help you from hitting a rock if its sticking up enough....by the time your transducer picks it up and displays it and now of course you have to be looking at the screen at the instant you need to be its probably going to be too late.

In your particular case you already new the water was shallow as you were approaching the dock so the depth finder wouldnt have given you any additional cues in my opinion.

check the hub of your prop where the nut is that holds it on and look for a number...not sure if that 15 is your pitch.

 

[sasto]

Re: Depth Finder and new prop? Advice......

So, now I need some advice:

1. Would a depth finder with alarm given me a hint prior to doing damage?
If so, can you recommend a depth finder?

.
Bob

Only if you spend thousands on a foreward sonar.

 

[shrew]

Re: Depth Finder and new prop? Advice......

Depth sounders are great for correllating how shallow you are in comparison to the depth readings on the charts. However it will be almost impossible to use it as a tool to detect a submerged object, such as a rock.

In that case it won't prevent you from hitting the rock it will only warn you that you're going to hit it. BEEEP....BANG!!! the sounder is typically toward the back of the boat, and mere feet in front of the drive. The sounder will pass over the object in mere seconds before your drive hits it. There is no way you will be fast enough to hear the warning and get the boat from drive to reverse before drifting up onto the object.

If there is a hazzard that close to the docks and ramp, then i would be seeing what I can do to get it marked. Otherwise, this is what is referred to as "Local Knowledge".

 

[Beefer]

Re: Depth Finder and new prop? Advice......

A depthsounder tells you what you just passed, not what's coming. No, a depthsounder would not have help in this scenario, unless you were unaware that you were in shallow waters. To know what's coming, as Sasto said, you'd need a forward sonar or a side-imaging system.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Depth Finder and new prop? Advice......

Yup, it probably wouldn't have saved your prop in that case. owever, if you were running into shallow water and ran up on the rock/submerged object, it would have let you know and you could have trimmed up accordingly/adjusted your method of approach. Most of the depth sounders have an adjustable alarm that will go off if the water gets to whatever depth you chose. It can also be adjusted to show depth of water from the hull, or depth of water below your prop.