Snapped My Prop Shaft

[wakejmpr]

Paid 390 new for mine brand new straight from the dealer. Don't know of a place to get a rebuilt and honestly don't know that I would trust a rebuilt one if it can even be done. If it doesn't spin true it's going to vibrate like a mofo. You might have to get a new one.

[wake beater]

had the exact same thing happen to me last year,doing about 10 miles an hour.no ballasts nothing just had left the marina ,prop sunk over 120 ft deep.luckily we just kept jumping off the swim grid in the direction we wanted to go.call Jim at Viper,great price and service was unreal...2 days shipping from Tennesee to Kamloops ,British Columbia at my door ....Jim told me they had a bad batch of shafts in 1990,mine is a 91 but..

[wotan2525]

The prop fell off in the Delta. For anyone who has never been there the water is so dark that calf deep you can't see your toes. We call it the dirty D but it's some of the best boarding in California. Miles and Miles of channels some of them are even 1 way. Fman should know what I'm talking about.

Anyone know if JT Nettle sells prop shafts? I'll give him a call tomorrow. If anyone knows where I can get one cheaper than $380 please let me know. A friend of mine is going to let me borrow an old prop but if I can't find a decent price on a shaft my season may be over. Thanks guys!!

Did you call Marine Associates? They were the original OEM on all these shafts (and still are...) I don't remember what I paid for a new one but I know it wasn't $400. I think I bought a new-style shaft with coupler and had my strut straightened with new bearings for around $300. (but this was a few years ago....) Explain what happened and maybe they'd hook you up with a trade-in or deal?

[wotan2525]

Also -- I just remembered that I have my old one kicking around in my garage. The key-way is worn (would still work, I'm sure) but I did have it straightened and balanced by marine associates about 5 years ago and believe that it is still true. I haven't had the heart to throw it away but it's just taking up space. $25 + shipping and it's yours. Send me a PM.

[Memmer99]

Wotan, Your the man I appreciate the offer! I ended up calling Jim over at Viper and he hooked me up for $275. I didn't try Marine Associates because Jim picked up the phone on the first ring. I'd say that's rare and considered it a sign of good luck. I'll document my progress.

Thanks again for everyones comments!

[jet]

Beast is right, it was CRACKED. I had the same thing happen a long time ago. The rust spot shows that its been there for a while. I went to a machine shop and had them build one, I think I had mine build for $200?? you have to call the factory nd get the measurements. Mine was like 1"x30 something" and then there is a 3rd measurment?? Jet

[techsledder]

....Jim told me they had a bad batch of shafts in 1990,mine is a 91 but..

Whoa wait... what? Seriously? That blows for me an my 1990 SS. His failed after 20 years of service too, seems odd to me that it would have lasted that long if it was a "bad batch issue" and it was destine to fail.

[Memmer99]

I think you guys are right. I pulled the old shaft last night and I can see where the crack was. I bet it was a combo of the log I hit last year with my old prop and beaching the boat. I'll never beach an inboard again. so the strut looks good and the bearings look pretty good considering they are 20 years old. I guess it couldn't hurt to change them out.

On another note I noticed my rudder has a bit of play in it. can I just tighten the bolt in the bildge to fix that?

[techsledder]

On another note I noticed my rudder has a bit of play in it. can I just tighten the bolt in the bildge to fix that?

rudder > I have play in mine as well. I think you have to lift up on it and make sure the unit is snug against the the thru-hull and then tighten down the first nut into the packing then the locking nut.

Any chance you could take a close up picture of the prop straight on to the fracture? So I can see the cross section... and see the crack propagation...