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| Oh No, I Hit Something!
Tips From The Pro
What goes wrong in the middle of boating season? This article will cover a topic one never wants to experience.
Well its Saturday, the weather is beautiful, the boat is running well, and the lake or river is smooth as silk when "BANG". "Oh no I hit something and I hit it hard, what do I do?" Now I will list below what precautions and actions to take in this situation. A. Pull the throttle to idle and put the transmission in neutral. B. Check the bilge for water coming in. Pull up the motor box or hatch, lift floor panels and seat bottoms. If you see water coming in follow the next procedures.
2. See if you can find out where the water is coming in. When you find it - stuff towels, then cushions on top of it, anything to stop the water or reduce its flow. 3. Summon help via marine radio, cell phone or distress flag. Do this immediately and preferably the closest marina or law enforcement group that have a boat in the water or a passing boat will stop. 4. Now if the bilge pump is keeping up with the flow, put the boat in gear at idle speed only and head toward the nearest shore. If you see a passing boat wave them down and have them put your passengers aboard his boat then escort you to the nearest shore or marina. 5. Remember idle speed only, if you go any faster you will be forcing more water into the boat or you can do more mechanical damage if the shaft, prop, or strut is bent. NOTE: If when you put it in gear and it stalls the engine, do not try to ride the boat have it towed. D. Now restart engine and put it in gear at idle speed only. If you have a major vibration shut it down and seek a tow from a near by boat or local marina or a towing company. Get the boat out of harms way using a paddle. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Use the distress flag to summon help. E. If you can get away with a minimal of vibration go back to the marina at idle speed, check the bilge while underway to make sure you are not taking on water, IDLE SPEED ONLY. F. If you have seriously damaged the boat and you cannot control the leak "Don't Panic", head for shore at idle speed.
2. Get all saving gear out on deck. 3. Seek help via cell phone or marine radio. NOTE: Only if you know for a fact that you are going down call a "Mayday". Give your position, give visible land marks, give mile marker if you are on a inland river, give how many people on board, name of your vessel, and port of call- be very specific, talk slowly and directly, be calm. 4. Put distress flag on your paddle so you can summon help from the water or the boat. 5. Shut engine off and if you have time, tie a cushion to your longest anchor line and attach it to a deck cleat. 6. Keep all people on board together- if you have to get in the water. 7. Don't worry about personal gear, it can be replaced, lives cannot. 8. When the water comes close to the gunwale (gunnel), get everyone in the water, and then don't wait till the boat swamps. 9. Keep everyone calm, if you have a hand held horn take it with you or if you have a mouth whistle to attract attention from shore or another boat. 10. If its nighttime take a flashlight, don't try to swim to shore, you might exhaust yourself and not be able to function- keep everyone together. If you notice I repeat that many times along with staying calm. 11. If you have waterproof flares or a flare gun use it if you see possible help from another boat or someone on shore. 12. If the boat stays somewhat afloat stay with it, that means everyone. Be calm, think things through before you do it. 13. Talk calmly to all persons aboard so not to induce panic.
2. If they have no mean of putting the boat in slings or on a hoist, drop someone off to get the trailer at the ramp. 3. Load the boat very carefully and when you go to pull out, go very slowly because you have a great deal of water in the boat. If you can get it partially out and hand bail the most of the water out then proceed up the ramp till the boat is level where you can remove the garboard drain plug. 4. Survey the damage, call your insurance company and then call a reputable full time restoration business. All underwater damage must be done professionally.
2. Check the strut to make sure it is not bent. 3. Check the shaft by rotating it while looking straight at the end where it is center drilled. If it oscillated, it's time for a new shaft. 4. Check the area of the shaft in the middle by stacking wood or bricks to just underneath the middle and rotate. If the distance changes in the center as you rotate, It's time again for a new shaft. 5. Now if you want an accurate check, which we would do, you will have to remove the shaft. a. Loosen and remove prop nut and propeller, loosen the set screws at coupler then hand pull it through the shaft log and strut. b. Take shaft to a machine shop or a full service marine shop that specializes in straight inboards. ~ The shaft should be checked using a dial indicator with the shaft either rolling on bearings or checked into a lathe. c. If it is out of straightness, replace it. d. Check strut bearing and shaft packing. e. When you get your new shaft take the shaft coupler off the transmission and fit it on the shaft, center punch the set screw holes, take the coupler off and drill shallow "D" dents in the shaft to seat the set screws. This will hold the shaft in place while transmission is in reverse. f. Install coupler on transmission, lubricate shaft with a light oil and slide it through the strut and shaft log, install key and line up shaft with the key slot and put the shaft in, tighten the set screws and safety wire the set screws. g. Install prop, prop nut, and cotter key. h. Check engine alignment and your ready to go back to the water. |
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