Trojan Boat Forum

I was cruising along about 10 knots and then all of a sudden, bam. In 18' of water, well offshore, nothing on the chart.

I haven't pulled it yet but here's what I know so far:

Steering is tight and starboard side rudder is making noise when I turn. I assume that the rudder is bent and it's binding up.

Starboard shaft stuffing box is wobbling and squeaking in gear. I'm hoping the shaft isn't bent and it just got knocked out of alignment. It wasn't a huge impact so clinging this hope. I assume that the prop is all banged up.

I think the port side avoided all damage. Both sides shifted fine in/out gear so I think I avoided any damage there.

Sherman, do you want to sell your props or can you send me the specifics on where you got yours? I might as well upgrade them now if it's going to be out.

Are the rudders easily had for a mid cabin? I'm already concerned about lead time on parts, I can see weeks slipping by at the worst possible time.


thanks,

Bob

If the stuffing box is wobbling a round the shaft is bent you need to pull the stuffing box and check for damage to the fiber glass . as the box moves around it is flexing the F/glass and could be cracking it . Trust me on this as almost sent my boat down to the bottom.

So did you ever catch a glimpse of what you hit - rock, submerged log, Jimmy Hoffa???

I agree with Paul, better safe than sorry and avoid ending up with a boat on the bottom.

Bob sad to here you hit something, but on the upside she's still afloat..

fix for a friend........

Thank goodness for sandy bottoms here in Florida. Plus a repair in July or August is not so bad here, it is our off season!! Too hot to do much pleasure cruising.

Bob,

All the info is at my office. I'll send it to you tomorrow.

Hope everything is not as bad as it sounds.

I had it hauled this morning:

No glass damage but strut is bent at least 3", prop is shot, shaft is curved because of the strut and the rudder is bent which explains the tight steering.

The transducer took a good shot as well.

I called BoatUS and they're lining up an estimator. In the meantime, I need to get an estimate for the damage.

I'm pretty sure Buck still makes the strut and maybe the rudder. I'm worried about the shaft if it can't be straightened. Might be the time to swap out both props.

RWS, do you have the specs on your trim tabs? I was going to upgrade to the larger ones this off season but maybe I'll do it now. Mine are too small and they have rot holes and the water is shooting through underway.

If anyone has a line on midcabin strut, rudder and possibly shaft please shoot me an email.

thanks,
Bob

Will your insurance cover the damage since you hit something that was underwater and uncharted?

take some photos we want to see.

Beacon has the struts as well.

We hit a container submerged about 2-3' a few years ago - my neughbor is a VP with one of the big container shippers - he said the ships coming into Charleston harbor lose 2-3 per week overboard - and the flat 2-3' below the surface, just like what I hit.

Sorry about the damage - good luck with the repair.

Sounds like my event, hit a log in the channel, submerged below the surface.

Fun stuff, 2 shafts, 1 strut, 2 props, 1 rutter. And V-Drive had to be pulled to easy out the bolts that sheared off.

All is well, boat goes in this week.

Good luck, and yes Beacon has parts like Rutters/Struts in stock.

Bob,

Sorry about your problem.

Assuming yours are the same as mine were, the tabs are a simple bolt in replacement from Bennett.

stock 9x24 trim tabs replaced with 12x24 tabs with 3" drop fins.

Also, after we did the refit I sent my struts to John Leed. He soes sell this type of item.


RWS