Over the weekend, some guy rear ended my boat trailer with my boat on it while waiting in line for boat launch. It dented his bullguard and apparently, he hit my lower unit or prop. We could not discern any visible damage to the motor or the lower unit except for one mildly dented prop blade. At the point of impact, the motor was trimmed up in anticipation for launch and the transom saver had been removed. From inside my truck, it felt like a small to moderate jolt. I have a cushioned hitch.
Once on the water, the motor was still able to start but would stall after 1 sec. This happened about 4-5 times. Eventually, after prolonged starting and pumping the fuel pump, it was OK. I was able to go from neutral to forward and reverse with no problem. Idling felt a little rougher but was stable. Once under power, at about 2000+ rpm, there were some funny burping sounds which resolved after 5 minutes. I was able to trim the motor up and down with no problem. Now, the motor starts OK and runs OK. It moves from neutral to reverse and forward as usual. Only thing is that I feel that the motor is idling a little rougher. Since the accident, I have not performed a WOT on it.
My questions are :
1. What do you guys think of the accident and the subsequent symptoms?
2. What should I do now? Should I send the boat to a dealer to have it checked out? What could be the potential problems after the lower unit is hit?
3. I guess the prop needs to be changed. Someone told me that in the long run, a dented blade on a prop is not good for the lower unit. Is the prop change something that I can do myself? If so, are there any particular concerns with a Yamaha 90 2 stroke oil injected 2001? It is a 90TLRZ model.
4. Would it be also a good time to ask the dealer to perform preventive maintainence for my motor if no damage is present? I believe that this motor has always been self maintained by the previous owner and has never been to the dealer. What does preventive maintainence involve and how long would the motor be in the shop on the average?
I just figured that it is easy enough to just get a 3 bank so when the boat is not in use I can keep all 3 batteries charged. I have not bough a charger yet, maybe I will give it some more thought.
Edit: After thinking this over, with the size, weight, and heat output of the charger (as well as the cost) I think it makes sense to just
buy a 2 bank charger, I have a smaller charger i can use on the starting battery when the boat is sitting at home. Forgive me, for i am a retired engineer and I have to obsess over everything...
Congrats on the motor! I think you’ll like it.
I can’t say much on the charger location but I’ve seen them under the lid in back compartments and under center rod lockers. 160 degrees is more than I expected to hear.
Curious why you’re opting for a 3 bank charger with a 24V trolling motor. Unless you don’t feel you be running you big motor enough to keep that battery up as well?
I did buy an Minnkota Ulterra, thanks for the recommendations. I had a bunch of Cabela"s bucks saved up, which helped. Now i need to
get an onboard battery charger. Where do you guys mount these things in your boat? The manufacturer I am looking at {Noco genius)
says tht their 3-bank charger will run at 160 degrees, seems like a lot of heat in an enclosed compartment? Thanks for any input on this.
Wasn't terrible at a state park beach. Antelope island maybe. I wouldn't recommend it as a beach destination tho. Figured I was there, I'm getting in it.
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TSCTSC
Dear all,
Over the weekend, some guy rear ended my boat trailer with my boat on it while waiting in line for boat launch. It dented his bullguard and apparently, he hit my lower unit or prop. We could not discern any visible damage to the motor or the lower unit except for one mildly dented prop blade. At the point of impact, the motor was trimmed up in anticipation for launch and the transom saver had been removed. From inside my truck, it felt like a small to moderate jolt. I have a cushioned hitch.
Once on the water, the motor was still able to start but would stall after 1 sec. This happened about 4-5 times. Eventually, after prolonged starting and pumping the fuel pump, it was OK. I was able to go from neutral to forward and reverse with no problem. Idling felt a little rougher but was stable. Once under power, at about 2000+ rpm, there were some funny burping sounds which resolved after 5 minutes. I was able to trim the motor up and down with no problem. Now, the motor starts OK and runs OK. It moves from neutral to reverse and forward as usual. Only thing is that I feel that the motor is idling a little rougher. Since the accident, I have not performed a WOT on it.
My questions are :
1. What do you guys think of the accident and the subsequent symptoms?
2. What should I do now? Should I send the boat to a dealer to have it checked out? What could be the potential problems after the lower unit is hit?
3. I guess the prop needs to be changed. Someone told me that in the long run, a dented blade on a prop is not good for the lower unit. Is the prop change something that I can do myself? If so, are there any particular concerns with a Yamaha 90 2 stroke oil injected 2001? It is a 90TLRZ model.
4. Would it be also a good time to ask the dealer to perform preventive maintainence for my motor if no damage is present? I believe that this motor has always been self maintained by the previous owner and has never been to the dealer. What does preventive maintainence involve and how long would the motor be in the shop on the average?
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
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