1995 Tige meets rocks. Need new underwater hardware

[Bread]

Hey guys. I need some assistance in sourcing some new underwater hardware for my 1995 Tige.

A few weeks ago I had the boat in Park Lake, which is in Sun Lakes State Park in Eastern Washington. About 20 minutes into Saturday morning the boat ran aground into a pile of rocks a few feet underwater at about 15mph. These unmarked rocks were about 1/3 to 1/2 way accross the lake, so I did not anticipate they would be there. Fortunately nobody was badly hurt. It took all 8 of us to lift the boat off the rocks.

In any event, I've managed to bend all of my tracking fins, the prop shaft, prop strut, and one of the prop blades. The hull cracked around the fins, and the prop actually hit the underside of the boat when the strut punched through the hull. Not good. My first estimate is upwards of $5000 to repair the damage here in Seattle.

No matter what I plan to source out the fiberglass repair and bottom re-paint as I'm not set up to do it properly. But being a machinist by trade I'd like to tackle the hardware myself. I've removed all of the hardware already. I can straighten the tracking fins easy enough with some heat and a BFH. The stainless steel three blade prop might be repairable, so I'll look for a reasonably priced shop to handle that (know anybody?). Where I really need some direction is with finding a new prop shaft, and a new prop strut. Can somebody direct me as to where to look?

Thanks in advance!


Jason

[jwanck11]

D-O-H!


Very glad that no one was hurt!!!

Couple of suggestions.

First check out this place:

http://www.elberts.com/underwatergear.htm

I am not sure that they do shafts. Might want to look for salvage for one of those although finding one straight could be a toughy. I would contact SPBFan as I thought I read a long time ago that he knew someone that was able to work on bent stuff.

Hope that helps!! GL!

[LovinPowell]

Somebody was trying to sell their beat up boat a while back, it was suggested he sell its' parts instead, maybe his is in good condition. I can't remember who it was though, sorry.

[chpthril]

Hey guys. I need some assistance in sourcing some new underwater hardware for my 1995 Tige.

A few weeks ago I had the boat in Park Lake, which is in Sun Lakes State Park in Eastern Washington. About 20 minutes into Saturday morning the boat ran aground into a pile of rocks a few feet underwater at about 15mph. These unmarked rocks were about 1/3 to 1/2 way accross the lake, so I did not anticipate they would be there. Fortunately nobody was badly hurt. It took all 8 of us to lift the boat off the rocks.

In any event, I've managed to bend all of my tracking fins, the prop shaft, prop strut, and one of the prop blades. The hull cracked around the fins, and the prop actually hit the underside of the boat when the strut punched through the hull. Not good. My first estimate is upwards of $5000 to repair the damage here in Seattle.

No matter what I plan to source out the fiberglass repair and bottom re-paint as I'm not set up to do it properly. But being a machinist by trade I'd like to tackle the hardware myself. I've removed all of the hardware already. I can straighten the tracking fins easy enough with some heat and a BFH. The stainless steel three blade prop might be repairable, so I'll look for a reasonably priced shop to handle that (know anybody?). Where I really need some direction is with finding a new prop shaft, and a new prop strut. Can somebody direct me as to where to look?

Thanks in advance!


Jason

Bummer, check www.skidim.com

I would try to straighte the tracking fins with out heat It will make them brittle.

I would upgrade to a new ACME prop and not go back with the SS, but as a backup.

Do you have insurance on the boat? Good luck with it.

[Bread]

Bummer, check www.skidim.com

I would try to straighte the tracking fins with out heat It will make them brittle.

I would upgrade to a new ACME prop and not go back with the SS, but as a backup.

Do you have insurance on the boat? Good luck with it.

No insurance But you can believe it's first on my list once I get it back on the water!

Fortunately, an advanced journeyman machinist in my shop worked in a shipyard for over a decade. I found out tonight that he's straightened prop shafts over 12" in diameter! He thinks I can get the prop shaft true again by putting it in the lathe on a steady rest and using heat to draw it back in alignment. It's worth a shot at least, so I'll try it tomorrow night.

He recommended using heat to soften the bronze tracking fins because they would be more likely to break when cold. After about 3 hours tonight, I was able to straighten all three of them nearly perfectly. Bronze is very soft, so they were very easy to work with when heated to about 200*. They were just rough cast, so the hammer marks didn't look too good when I was finished. So I went over them with various grits of sanding discs bringing them to a nice shine. They look better than new now, so that's one obstace out of the way.

I wasn't as lucky with the prop strut. Metals have a memory, and I knew that due the severity of the bend in the strut it was unlikely I could get it trued up again. I ended up breaking it, but it was worth a try. So I'll have to start looking for a new strut tonight. Thanks for the ideas on where to look for parts guys. I'll try to post up some pictures of the damage and repairs tonight for your viewing pleasure.

Jason

[MRMoffat1]

Hey guys. I need some assistance in sourcing some new underwater hardware for my 1995 Tige.

A few weeks ago I had the boat in Park Lake, which is in Sun Lakes State Park in Eastern Washington. About 20 minutes into Saturday morning the boat ran aground into a pile of rocks a few feet underwater at about 15mph. These unmarked rocks were about 1/3 to 1/2 way accross the lake, so I did not anticipate they would be there. Fortunately nobody was badly hurt. .....
Jason

Was on that lake this summer, and others past. I know of an underwater rock (location marked on picture), but it's not 1/2 way across the lake. Would really like to know where this other rock is?? Thanks

[illiniboarder88]

The guys at skidim are pretty helpful; they even told me where to look when they didn't have the parts I needed.

[Bread]

Photos!

Here are some pics for you guys. First order of business is to point out the unmarked rocks to help others from getting themselves into my situation. These rocks are literally 1/3 the distance into the lake from bank to bank, and at least 200 yards from the point to the North. The rocks I've circled to the South are marked, but the ones I hit are not. After my crew lifted the boat off the rocks, we idled back to the launch at the North end of this photo. Unfortunately my bilge pump was mounted above one of the tracking fins and was damaged in the accident, so we took on some water in the process. Not more than 25 gallons I'd say.

I pulled the boat out of the water and inspected the damage with the park ranger and Sherriff who was already on scene because of a jet ski collision. I was already upset about the damage to my boat, and after talking with the Sheriff it really put me over the edge. The Sheriff has authority over the lake, not the parks department. And the Sheriff told me that it is their policy not to mark any hidden obstacles, no matter how dangerous. The reasoning being that if they were to miss one, they would be liable. So rather than protect the public as they should be, as it states on their badges "to protect and serve", they are instead protecting their own asses from lawsuits. Funny how they like to collecty money by ticketing us on the water for various reasons in the name of public safety, but when it comes to spending money in the name of public safety they do nothing

Rant off.

The lake:


The damages




Repaired tracking fins

[illiniboarder88]

I'd look around for a wrecked inboard. I found a place last year when I was looking for parts that bought salvage boats. I just can't remember the name right now. Also, I'd assume that drive shaft is not tige specific. Am I right?

[Bread]

I'd look around for a wrecked inboard. I found a place last year when I was looking for parts that bought salvage boats. I just can't remember the name right now. Also, I'd assume that drive shaft is not tige specific. Am I right?

It would seem at this point that none of the hardware is Tige specific. I Just need to measure the prop diameter, prop shaft diameter, and shaft length. Prices aren't as bad as I thought though. Skidim.com has a strut for $275, although I'll have to call to see if it's the correct one. They have several shafts as well. The 1" double taper shaft goes for $315, but I'm going to try and straighten mine tonight and see how that goes.

Props are $380 for a three blade like mine to $500 for a nice 4 blade. I'm not sure if I should be running a 4 blade, so I'll have to ask somebody more knowledgeable about that. Mine might be repairable though, so that will be my first choice as long as it doesn't run more that $200. Otherwise I'll just spring for a new one. I think I'm in business in terms of hardware. For now I'm going to take the boat to another fiberglass shop in Monroe to get another quote. I want to make sure the bottom work is done right.

Thanks for all of your input guys!

[jwanck11]

I have a 3-blade on a much heavier boat and mine will pull a stup out of the ground. Call acme props

Once you get everything back on, make sure you take it to a goos shop and make sure everything is in alignment from engine to prop.

[dogbert]

Contact SPBFAN about your prop.

[yllw20]

your prop looks repairable -- try to find a local prop shop should be around $150 to repair depending on your local area rate.

[SPBFAN]

Hey guys. I need some assistance in sourcing some new underwater hardware for my 1995 Tige.

A few weeks ago I had the boat in Park Lake, which is in Sun Lakes State Park in Eastern Washington. About 20 minutes into Saturday morning the boat ran aground into a pile of rocks a few feet underwater at about 15mph. These unmarked rocks were about 1/3 to 1/2 way accross the lake, so I did not anticipate they would be there. Fortunately nobody was badly hurt. It took all 8 of us to lift the boat off the rocks.

In any event, I've managed to bend all of my tracking fins, the prop shaft, prop strut, and one of the prop blades. The hull cracked around the fins, and the prop actually hit the underside of the boat when the strut punched through the hull. Not good. My first estimate is upwards of $5000 to repair the damage here in Seattle.

No matter what I plan to source out the fiberglass repair and bottom re-paint as I'm not set up to do it properly. But being a machinist by trade I'd like to tackle the hardware myself. I've removed all of the hardware already. I can straighten the tracking fins easy enough with some heat and a BFH. The stainless steel three blade prop might be repairable, so I'll look for a reasonably priced shop to handle that (know anybody?). Where I really need some direction is with finding a new prop shaft, and a new prop strut. Can somebody direct me as to where to look?

Thanks in advance!


Jason

I have a guy here in CA that can straighten the shaft to a tolerance of .003 or better. There is places on the internet that you can get your hardware from. I can't think of the name right of the top of my head but do a google you will find them. As for the prop PM I can help you with that also.

[MRMoffat1]

Here are some pics for you guys. First order of business is to point out the unmarked rocks to help others from getting themselves into my situation. These rocks are literally 1/3 the distance into the lake from bank to bank, and at least 200 yards from the point to the North. The rocks I've circled to the South are marked, but the ones I hit are not. ...

My arrow matches your southend circle, of which the rock is marked with a floating milk bottle or stick or ..., different every year. Never have ventured up toward that north point you hightlighted to notice. Thanks for the pics, boater beware!!

Sorry about your boat. You can alway give SportBoatNorthwest a call if you run into difficulties on repair, I've been impressed with the service so far.