fryedaze
Guru
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2011
- Messages
- 1,722
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Fryedaze
- Vessel Make
- MC 42 (Overseas Co) Monk 42
Came across Lake O on Sunday 4/23. When we were between Moorehaven and Clewiston we felt a thud. I thought the wife slammed a door. We were in about 10- 13 feet when it happened. I must have seen over 100 gators in this 10 mile stretch of the canal. Some crossing in front of me and diving under. Its mating season. Once across the lake the wife said an odd sound was in the aft cabin. At 1000 RPM there was a bubbling whooping sound. I thought it was the cutlass bearing. Later I would decided it was cavitation sounds. Brought the speed up to 3/4 power and I could feel the vibrations.
Sooooo I think we hit a gator. Went into River Forest near Stuart and got awesome survive. I talked to the guys at Blair's Propeller shop and he said they see stainless props bent much worse from a gator strike. I would recommend Blair's for repairs. After discussing the prop with them I have decided to get new props this summer. My current props are 25 X 27. I didn't know that they don't make 25 X 27 Dyna Jet props. My props had been reworked by PO and the blades are very thin. I am at risk of bending the props anytime I have a small bump. I will be going to standard 26 X 26 which will have more meat on the blades. You can actually flex the blade tips with your finger.
So.... gator strike, thats my story and I am stikin to it.
Sooooo I think we hit a gator. Went into River Forest near Stuart and got awesome survive. I talked to the guys at Blair's Propeller shop and he said they see stainless props bent much worse from a gator strike. I would recommend Blair's for repairs. After discussing the prop with them I have decided to get new props this summer. My current props are 25 X 27. I didn't know that they don't make 25 X 27 Dyna Jet props. My props had been reworked by PO and the blades are very thin. I am at risk of bending the props anytime I have a small bump. I will be going to standard 26 X 26 which will have more meat on the blades. You can actually flex the blade tips with your finger.
So.... gator strike, thats my story and I am stikin to it.