Outdrive damage
 

Mercruiser 4.3LX, alpha one. I was out on the lake on New Years Eve (75 degrees in TX) and struck something. This was not a hard hit, however there was a continuous noise that sounded like the engine threw a rod or something. Immediately got it out of the water and found the prop torn up.

Good News: Engine was fine.

Bad News: Upper gears were shredded (missing teeth, etc), lower housing missing pieces on anti-cavitation plate (replace lower unit housing with new one), and prop was torn up.

Really Bad News: Cost was $3100.00 for repair.

Really Really Bad News: Insurance only covered approximately 60%. They claimed some crap about something??????? Mechanics did not agree.

I guess it could be worse. I cut my losses and moved on. I think I have almost a new out drive.

Question: How does the upper gears shatter and the lower gears remain ok?

Re: Outdrive damage
 

We boat alot in the "Puget Sound" here in the Northwest and have struck several dead head (half or totally sunk logs) as well as some gravel bars and some actual shoals with various boats we have had. ( not yet any of these with our Mariah fortunately, only with previously owned bayliners!)

A good portion of the logging industry here uses the salt water for rafting their logs from the port to the mill, and this leaves many lurking for us boaters to find. And while I am sorry for your loss, I have never had my insurance pick up any of my repairs made. So I think you did pretty good at 60%!

Its usually a simple equation of which gear is weakest at the actual torque you are at that will give out!

This is the very reason I am very leery of using my stainless prop in these waters. At least Aluminum will tend to take the sacrificial hit before the gears. With that said,, did you have a stainless or Aluminum prop on?

Re: Outdrive damage
 

I guess I was lucky on several fronts. I had an aluminum prop. For this reason, I will not use a stainless prop. I am almost afraid to take the boat out.
As for that old adage, B.O.A.T is an acronym [Bring Out Another Thousand] .......and then some.
Maybe we should keep quiet. The government may try to impose a damage tax.