Export Log in water, fell off Bulk ship, yes we hit

[geoffm70]

A week ago was a beautiful day in Nanaimo, and while in the Nanaimo Harbour floatplane landing zone, my 3200SCR "Therapy" struck an export log just under the waterline at 26kts. Looks like at a minimum one leg is a total loss and the other we still investigating. Both props are done. There was a bulk carrier very near by loading the deck with the exact same type of logs we hit (debarked/ends cut, about 30'L and 1.5'W). Nanaimo NPA gathers wood debris and sells it, so they likely have this log. Seems to me that the company loading these logs should be responsible for my deductible, and answering to my insurance company. What if a seaplane hit it?!? Any Maritime Lawyers in this group?

[shrew]

I hit a dead head at around 23kts and it tore a 1.5" tear in only one blade of a Bravo III outdrive (2 props). However, it sheared a tooth on the gear in in the upper portion of the outdrive. The drive needed to be completely rebuilt. You can't replace just one gear, and once the metal shards start getting in there you need to replace all the seals as well.

Since my drive casing was starting to show signs of galvanic corrosion, I simply replaced the entire outdrive.

[shrew]

As for the legal suit. Since it was saw cut, I suppose you could call it jetsam, however logs as flotsam occur all the time. It is going to be a challenge to prove that the log you hit came from a specific vessel and as a result of their negligence.

I would pose your theory to the insurance company and let them decide if they want to pursue the lumber vessel.

[geoffm70]

Thanks, always word of wisdom Shrew. Had both legs off yesterday and they're going to be torn down and repaired or replaced; skeg is gone off starboard Couldn't even shift into reverse on that side. Re the log owner: insurance co. is going today to check the Harbour Authorities gathering ground to see if they have it, as they haven't sold what they've gathered yet. Should be some paint or prop still in it. If they find it, and it did come from the suspected ship loading, I know them and will ask for my deductible - watch this space!

[shrew]

Good Luck. They make bolt on skeg replacements. On the drive that can't shift, even in idle, will sound like a coffee grinder if there are sheared teeth getting crunch in there.

[geoffm70]

So far we're getting a whole new housing for the starboard leg and there was no grinding heard, just a heavy clunk when sifting and it would pop out of gear on the other. Still looking into the port leg, might know more today.

[geoffm70]

$28,000 and counting still, legs are repaired, new props and back in the water after 32 days on the hard. Ever since going back in on Friday, the bilge is taking on seawater. Looks like steering shaft seals are gone because apparently they dried out.

[geoffm70]

as for the claim portion, the port authority won't let me in to their debris ground to look for my log!

[shrew]

Check to make sure you're not taking in water at the transom assembly. I would haul my boat for 6-7 months every year. I never heard of shaft seals going bad as a result of sitting on the hard.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by shrew

Check to make sure you're not taking in water at the transom assembly. I would haul my boat for 6-7 months every year. I never heard of shaft seals going bad as a result of sitting on the hard.

Me either shrew. I kept my boat in a boatel for over 10 years and never had an issue with the seals.

[geoffm70]

Thanks for this Gents, have a Bravo2 specialist working on them and he adds that although he has yet to open them up, the location of the water intrusion and the salt remnants on the inside plate in the bilge indicates to him that the seals are gone. This guy and the insurance adjuster say a log strike wouldn't do that, but sitting on the ground will?!? How can I prove them wrong? They certainly were not leaking before we hit!

[mmwjr]

As you can see from my signature I also have a Bravo 2. 10 years in a boatel and now 3 years on lift still have the original seals. If what they are saying is true all Mercruiser’s would have bad seals from over winter storage. Total BS.

[geoffm70]

Fak! They add this is why Mercury makes the replacement plugs for drilling the top of the case.

[donald]

Find another mechanic.
Don

[mmwjr]

Write to Mercruiser help and ask them to provide a letter.

[geoffm70]

Excellent idea, thanks

[shrew]

Originally Posted by geoffm70

Looks like steering shaft seals are gone because apparently they dried out.

Originally Posted by geoffm70

.......Bravo2 specialist working on them and he adds that although he has yet to open them up, the location of the water intrusion and the salt remnants on the inside plate in the bilge indicates to him that the seals are gone. This guy and the insurance adjuster say a log strike wouldn't do that, but sitting on the ground will?!? How can I prove them wrong? They certainly were not leaking before we hit!

I think we need to clarify the statements a little here. The underlined portion starts as a statement and ends as a question.

1) What are they calling 'sitting on the ground? Do they mean the boat being hauled, or a grounding?

I assume they are referring to being hauled and the seal drying out, because if they are talking about a grounding, that is effectively what you had when you hit the log. I can't see the seal drying out and rotting over such a short amount of time.

2) Are THEY stating that 'sitting on the ground' (as yet to be defined) caused this issue, or are you asking?

[geoffm70]

Sorry, what I meant is she was hauled out and sitting on the ground for 38 days. And they (repairman and insurance adjuster) say the seals are old and the drying out caused the leaks.