Finally Heading South

[kulas44]

I would have found some clean clear water and crawled under there with my BFH and big backer and beat that out straight for free. Done it lots of times. At the worst I would have pulled it off and taken it in to a local prop shop. But, I boat cheap.

[hmason]

Last time I had a wheel removed it took a pretty heavy duty (hydraulic if I recall) prop puller. No way I could do it myself. Ted done it right.

[BandB]

I think he did it right for other reasons too. The major one I think of is the ability to inspect everything well including shaft alignment. Diving he could have looked the bottom over although not like having it out, he could have seen obvious shaft damage, but couldn't have seen more subtle damage and misalignment can lead to far more serious issues. Odds of it slim. Still, if I feel I hit something I want my boat checked by being hauled the first chance I have.

[WesK]

Boating requires the ability to adapt. It's good you were able to get to a good boatyard and nothing worse happened.

[O C Diver]

Originally Posted by Besslb

Glad you are able to get this taken care of in short order! As much as it sucks, at least you had several choices of yards in Adams Creek!

Where to next??

Mile Hammock Bay at New River inlet.

Originally Posted by kulas44

I would have found some clean clear water and crawled under there with my BFH and big backer and beat that out straight for free. Done it lots of times. At the worst I would have pulled it off and taken it in to a local prop shop. But, I boat cheap.

Well you must be Superman. Have seen props trued up with a 4 pound hammer and a sledge for a backer on land. Water however is 900 times denser than air. Swinging a 4 pound hammer with one hand, holding a sledge as a backer with the other, maintaining position underwater, while over coming the density of the water absorbing most of your effort, that's truly super human.

While I have the ability to pull a propeller under water, I don't own a prop puller for a 2.5" shaft. Guess you would probably just beat the prop off with your BFH.

Originally Posted by hmason

Last time I had a wheel removed it took a pretty heavy duty (hydraulic if I recall) prop puller. No way I could do it myself. Ted done it right.

While it can be done without a hydraulic puller, you are correct that it takes the right tool, which I didn't have.

Originally Posted by BandB

I think he did it right for other reasons too. The major one I think of is the ability to inspect everything well including shaft alignment. Diving he could have looked the bottom over although not like having it out, he could have seen obvious shaft damage, but couldn't have seen more subtle damage and misalignment can lead to far more serious issues. Odds of it slim. Still, if I feel I hit something I want my boat checked by being hauled the first chance I have.

Yes, lot to be said for a through inspection after striking hard enough to bend a blade. You know the alignment is still good when you can turn the 2.5" shaft with one hand.

Ted

[O C Diver]

Originally Posted by WesK

Boating requires the ability to adapt. It's good you were able to get to a good boatyard and nothing worse happened.

Yes, could have been much worse.

Ted

[Marlinmike]

That's a pretty good bend in the prop, certainly can see why it would vibrate, glad you got it all sorted out quickly, but don't knock yourself, that stuff does and will happen if you run boats long enough, safe passage for the remainder of your journey.

[psneeld]

Always good to pull it when you can....and send it out....sometimes it's the bend/twist you don't see that can be the real problem.

I can see an in the water repair in some places to get back to a better place for permanent repairs...but North Carolina in late January? Water temp maybe 50 degrees....?????

Even for a highly experienced diver as OC is/explained...almost superhuman to use the hammer approach in the water...I prefer a pipe or large crescent wrench for tips if I don't think they will break off if bent back.

[hmason]

"Mile Hammock Bay at New River inlet."

I'm sure you know this however:
There's a marker as you get near the bridge (Onslow?) before Mile Hammock that looks like it's way out of position. Be careful, it's not.

Safe travels.

[caltexflanc]

Theey ahve been doing a lot of live fire exercises at LeJeune this past week, so Mile hammock may be noisy and busy. Also a possibility of the ICW being closed for a few hours at a time. Offshore from Morehead to Masonboro is one of the better routes and you skip one of the more boring and shoal proneICW stretches (in addition to the above), yesterday would have been great, though though today calls for 2-4s @ 5 sec, which seems too rough for the OP's liking. NE wind usually makes it not that bad nearshore if the New River restricted zone is not being enforced. No way tomorrow as a small craft warning will be up.

[O C Diver]

Originally Posted by hmason

"Mile Hammock Bay at New River inlet."

I'm sure you know this however:
There's a marker as you get near the bridge (Onslow?) before Mile Hammock that looks like it's way out of position. Be careful, it's not.

Safe travels.

Hmm, don't see it on active captain. Thanks for the heads up.

Originally Posted by caltexflanc

Theey ahve been doing a lot of live fire exercises at LeJeune this past week, so Mile hammock may be noisy and busy. Also a possibility of the ICW being closed for a few hours at a time. Offshore from Morehead to Masonboro is one of the better routes and you skip one of the more boring and shoal proneICW stretches (in addition to the above), yesterday would have been great, though though today calls for 2-4s @ 5 sec, which seems too rough for the OP's liking. NE wind usually makes it not that bad nearshore if the New River restricted zone is not being enforced. No way tomorrow as a small craft warning will be up.

I have no issues with 2 to 4' if necessary. 50 or 60 miles of 2' is fine, 4' not so much. Looks like I'll be in the water this afternoon.

Forecast for the ocean:

Wednesday 3 to 5' building 5 to 7'
Thursday 4 to 6'
Friday 4 to 6'
Saturday 2 to 3'

Think I'll go inside tomorrow as opposed to waiting till Saturday.

Ted

[O C Diver]

Didn't want the paragraph police after me, so just posted some pics.

Ted

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. OC. She sure is purdy!

[Moonstruck]

Ted, I don't have my notes with me, but I think the marker mentioned is where a channel enters into the ICW behind Bear Inlet. That is a shoal prone area. It is north of the firing range signs near the old Uniflite plant.

[O C Diver]

Originally Posted by RT Firefly

Greetings,
Mr. OC. She sure is purdy!

Thanks RT, I'm rather partial to her myself!

Originally Posted by Moonstruck

Ted, I don't have my notes with me, but I think the marker mentioned is where a channel enters into the ICW behind Bear Inlet. That is a shoal prone area. It is north of the firing range signs near the old Uniflite plant.

Ok, I see that warning. Thanks!

Ted

[HenryD]

Keep it coming Ted...it's warmer down here.
She sure looks pretty...even with the ding.

[O C Diver]

Coming as hard and fast as I can. Don't use up all the warm weather before I get there.

Ted

[kulas44]

Agreed, hadnt thought about 50 degree water. I have 2 &1/2 inch shafts on my sporty, with 34 inch props. They are a bear to pull but it can be done. I have used a big Crescent a few times to straighten prop tips bent like that. That 4 blade prop behind the keel probably contributed to the vibration, making it more noticeable.

[O C Diver]

Bogue Sound this morning. Wind is 18 knots gusting to 20. Seas are maybe 1'. Glad I'm not in the ocean.



Ted

[psneeld]

Yep...but it does require a bit of concentration as it necks down and the channel get narrower and shallower....


Play some real lively travelling music to keep you sharp and the mind from wandering too far off path....


Bet you aren't seeing much traffic these days.