Something got knocked loose today...

[airdvr1227]

Battling 5 and 6 foot rollers with 3 second intervals on Erie something in the drive got knocked loose. Came back to the slip and noticed the unpleasant sound of water trickling in. Since my tow vehicle was 2 hours away I had them hoist it out.

Nothing obvious from a short visual inspection. I'm hoping a bellows got knocked around. Know more tomorrow.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

good luck brother, I hope the damage is small ... $$

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

Thanks. Interesting to see my rig in slings. Problem with having a slip 2 hours from home...things like this used to be loaded on the trailer and taken home. No more. Bilge was working but I think the water got pretty high. How do I know if I damaged my starter?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

attached is a picture of an outdrive seperating on a Carolina Classic (top line boat) about 30'. Happened about 40 miles off shore; they ran all the way in, but when they got in the bay, Coast Guard refused to let them beach it, or run through a bridge full speed to a nearby hoist. So it sank, and CG didn't even put a bouy on it. Never found.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

attached is a picture of an outdrive seperating on a Carolina Classic (top line boat) about 30'. Happened about 40 miles off shore; they ran all the way in, but when they got in the bay, Coast Guard refused to let them beach it, or run through a bridge full speed to a nearby hoist. So it sank, and CG didn't even put a bouy on it. Never found.

have to ask, but why did they ask for permission? Seems like one of those situations where its far better to do it and deal with the consequences later!

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

Its always easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission....

 

[cr2k]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

Looking at the top cap missing bolts and all, looks like it was a pos anyway.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

If your starter got wet for ore then a few seconds it will fail. Maybe next time out, maybe next season. For sure when you get a starter wet it will fail.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

I don't believe that...

Automotive starter gets road slop, rain, snow, etc blasted at it year round, and my 87 Audi 4000 continues to start every time.

Hell, I'd even say that calling the bolts holding it in were finger tight would be an exaggeration, and it still works.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

Figured that. What is really troubling is the automatic float must not have worked. There was enough water in the bilge that it quit running coming back into the marina. As soon as I realized what happened I turned it on manually and she re-started. Later, I pulled up on the float and the bilge ran normally. If she would have quit while we were out in the rough stuff it would have been ugly.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

have to ask, but why did they ask for permission? Seems like one of those situations where its far better to do it and deal with the consequences later!

You have to remember where talking about Norfolk Virginia. You start running around without permission and it?s very likely the consequences would be 50 caliber holes in you and your boat. They don?t fool around. They shoot first, ask questions later

The feds are not real appreciative of people beaching boats in National Wildlife Preserves, restricted military areas or densely populated public beaches, i.e. Virginia Beach. You would not like the consequences of any of these options either

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

That stinks, but glad you made it in safely and got the boat out of the water in time. Good luck with the repairs.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

have to ask, but why did they ask for permission? Seems like one of those situations where its far better to do it and deal with the consequences later!

you are right, in hindsight, but they got a CG escort once they got to the cape. They assumed the CG would help them do the logical thing and save the $150,000(?) boat and all its equipment. I saw the pictures as it sank, with a half dozen or so $200 rods in the holders. It was pathetic. They could have easily made it to the harbor pilot's sling with only a short run through the crowded/slow area. But CG is totally risk adverse.

You know what will happen next time.

Sorry to hijack airdvr; he was lucky and my point is, similar situations occur,but don't end up as well. But one of the points of this forum is so we can learn from each other--sometimes at another's expense!

I was fishing a narrow crowded inlet at VaB (Rudy) when a big old hatteras came steaming in top speed, bow up, plowing tidal waves; he too had lost his stern drive. He was able to beach it next to a marina on a shell bank.
Oh, and he didn't ask. Boat saved.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

Bummer, sorry to hear The Lake got you.
If the starter got wet, you maybe OK. If the bilge water level got up to the starter then the starter is/will be toast in short order. The 200+ amps the starter pulls also pulls all the impurities of water into the starter and the starter fails. You can take it off, tear it apart and clean it up, but the damage is usually done. For the price of a new starter it's worth the piece of mind IMHO.
If you need a hand, send me a PM. I'm only 1/2 hr. from your dock.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

Thanks for the offer. Mike's Dockside called this morning. They think the rough water knocked my transducer loose. I didn't notice it when they pulled it out but I wasn't really looking at that. I have my doubts. Seems like alot of water to be just that but I'll defer to the more experienced. Plan is to seal the hole and re-mount, then dunk it a Tibble's to see if they got it.

Know anything about Mike's? I got one good review and they seemed pretty nice on the phone.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

They think the rough water knocked my transducer loose. I didn't notice it when they pulled it out but I wasn't really looking at that. I have my doubts. Seems like alot of water to be just that

I had a pinhole in my previous aluminum Starcraft under the knee-brace. It leaked BAD. So if your transducer had perhaps more than one loose or missing fastener, it could easily have caused quite a leak. I hope that's all it was for you.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

They said it was loose and hanging on by 2 of 4 screws. Gives me a new appreciation of how much water can come in based on 1 small hole the size of pencil lead.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

it's the pressure. I've seen a pinhole leak spout 8" when the boat is running; barely trickle when sitting still

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

No help with Mike's Dockside rep. one way or the other. Just hope he's right on the transducer, you've spent enough on the dry docking and other fees for now. good luck on the repairs.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Something got knocked loose today...

They said it was loose and hanging on by 2 of 4 screws. Gives me a new appreciation of how much water can come in based on 1 small hole the size of pencil lead.

Sounds good. I think you dodged a bullet. That would definitely let in a bunch of water.