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Old 08-27-2017, 03:14 PM   #1
thinkxingu
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Default Stainless Prop and Sand

Quick question: coming into my beach today my stainless prop hit sand for a second or two before pulling my motor up--should I be concerned? I always hear SS props are unforgiving. I looked and couldn't see anything different, not even a "shinier" spot.

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Old 08-27-2017, 03:47 PM   #2
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Quick question: coming into my beach today my stainless prop hit sand for a second or two before pulling my motor up--should I be concerned? I always hear SS props are unforgiving. I looked and couldn't see anything different, not even a "shinier" spot.

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If you looked and saw no visible damage, I wouldn't worry about it.

Have fun!

Dan
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Old 08-27-2017, 04:46 PM   #3
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no problem. SS is very forgiving of such things.
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Old 08-27-2017, 06:52 PM   #4
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The drive shaft can be damaged with prop looking ok. Hope not, but just mentioning, not forgiving.
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Old 08-27-2017, 07:32 PM   #5
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The drive shaft can be damaged with prop looking ok. Hope not, but just mentioning, not forgiving.
How would I know? It's a Mercury outboard on the back of a tritoon, BTW.

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Old 08-27-2017, 08:06 PM   #6
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One can do a fair amount of roto-tilling in sand at low power with nothing getting damaged.

If your personal paranoia is seeking a new outlet, I suggest getting the prop shaft run out measured via a dial indicator after your season is over.

I would not do so.
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Old 08-27-2017, 08:09 PM   #7
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Last time my kids did this on our Four Winns it was $700 for:

"labor to pull lower unit.replace Inner propshaft, reseal, reshim, put back on boat and lake test."

They noted vibration on inspection.
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Old 08-27-2017, 09:45 PM   #8
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I'll be taking it out again next weekend and will pay close attention to vibration. It was really deep, soft sand (as opposed to a thin layer on top of hard pack), so I'm hoping I'm OK. Thanks, all!

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Old 08-28-2017, 06:22 AM   #9
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I assume you were at or near idle speed, if so, and there was no "BANG!" or "CLUNK-CLUNK-CLUNK", there's really nothing to worry about; especially if the engine did not stall, ut if it did stall that's not necessarily bad.
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Old 08-28-2017, 06:36 AM   #10
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Quote:
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I assume you were at or near idle speed, if so, and there was no "BANG!" or "CLUNK-CLUNK-CLUNK", there's really nothing to worry about; especially if the engine did not stall, ut if it did stall that's not necessarily bad.
Yes, idle speed, and I shut down/raised the motor within a second or two of feeling it. The ground also dropped off again after the raised section--it looks like it was a higher area from others power loading onto the beach.

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Old 08-28-2017, 06:53 AM   #11
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You would notice vibration if you damaged the shaft. Also, how do you know it was the propeller that hit and not the skeg?


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Old 08-28-2017, 07:04 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thinkxingu View Post
Yes, idle speed, and I shut down/raised the motor within a second or two of feeling it. The ground also dropped off again after the raised section--it looks like it was a higher area from others power loading onto the beach.

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Again, from what you describe I would not worry about it in the least. As Dave said above unless you heard or felt a bad clunk or thud it is highly unlikely you did any damage.

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Old 08-28-2017, 07:39 AM   #13
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I boat on Cape Cod that has a LOT of sand. I have run through sand a zillion times with no damage I wouldn't worry about it.

However, a couple of times were to the extreme and clogged the cooling system and I had to disassemble the hoses to clean them out. Not fun.

But really, unless you have vibration or your "engine overheating" alarm going off, don't worry, be happy.
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Old 08-28-2017, 08:46 AM   #14
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Fingers crossed, thanks everybody!

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