prop damage

[curdog]

Ok jdotson the pictures say alot but I am sure there is a good story to go along with it.

 

[c chardt]

That big tree limb just would not move out of the way

guess that 18 volt 10 in ryobi chain saw i had worked well for cuting off the blades he made it back to the ramp

 

[jdotson]

I wish there was a good story to go with the pictures but it all boiled down to bad judgement and a wrong move. I was attempting go behind some trees at the bus when I realized it was too congested with tree limbs. I spun the boat around and thought I had clearance on a limb that stuck straight out as I was leaving but the limb caught the cage and shoved it in the prop. All three tips were damaged and thanks to cchardt I was able to cut approximately 5 inches off all three blades and get back to Camp Mack. That chainsaw was the perfect tool for the job! The next morning I cleaned up the tips and repitched the prop and was able continue my weekend. Three new blades are supposed to be delivered tomorrow and the cage will be repaired this week. First impressions....I can only go up from here!

 

[jdotson]

I left out that it was night time and very dark at the time too. My headlight walked off a while back so I was limited with KC lites on the sides of the cage. Didn't really contribute to the decision to pull up in there but it was a factor.

 

[SwampMatt]

I hear the pththtpththt sound and even my novice ears knew that something had gone wrong.

Jdotson - I did not notice you being anti-sociable at all! As was said in the other thread, we all knew it could have been any one of us, and AS USUAL, many pitched in to help out a fellow airboater. Being a heavy packer of tools and such, I was disappointed that I did not have a hacksaw blade. NO ONE DID. (well, maybe Cntry had part of one) but that is a really good tool that does not weigh much to toss into a tool box. No need for a handle, just a blade or two.

I was happy that I could help a little by letting you use some vice grips and my tape measure. (thanks JABO for keeping track of them and getting them back to my tool box - I'm good about loaning out tools and bad about remembering to get them back!) Anc cc - That is one kick butt battery powered chainsaw!!!! I wish I had known you got it out though, I had my full set of chainsaw sharpening files and whet stones with me. But since it was new, I guess it didn't need it. I'm very impressed that it WORKED to get you home!

I want THAT BRAND of prop!!!! What kind was it again? I heard Capt Dave on the nextel with Powershift Patty, and I heard someone say Whilrwind too.

Mostly, I'm happy no one was hurt! But if there ever is an injury, I've got a really good hospital nurse who knows some stuff in my best friend, Laura. (AirboatRN)

I'm looking forward to seeing you and your new prop on the next ride.

matt.

 

[jdotson]

Sensenich...that will be my only prop from now on!

 

[jdotson]

Repairs are now complete Took some work and more $$$ than I cared to spend but as someone on here recently said....the thrill of the ride..."priceless"

 

[Rich Andrews]

good for you it was not a wood prop........could have been worse.

 

[Whitebear]

CCHARDT

In your opinion, would have it made any difference if there was expanded metal up 2 rungs on the sides of the hoops and say a foot and a half in front of them on your cage?? It adds stiffness as well as keeping limbs out of the cage. Obviously it isnt a solution for EVERY mishap though. Just wanted your opinion.

 

[jdotson]

Whitebear, some of my problem was too little clearance between the prop and cage and literally no buttress support to counter side load on the cage. There were a number of weaknesses with my old cage and most of them were a result of adapting the cage from a fiberglass to aluminum hull and then from direct drive to reduction drive. I have seen expanded metal used part way up on the sides of the hoops but never in front of the hoops. I would guess weight and air flow restriction would be the biggest negatives.

 

[Whitebear]

Its an old workboat trick. Jus looking for your thoughts on it

 

[marshmaster pat]

Jdot - You were running a sensenich ? - is it a wide blade?
- Just didn't look like a narrow blade, the only sensenich I have seen in person.

And if you don't mind, what motor do you have in that boat?

Whitebear - yea, especially on swamp job hulls, that expanded metal would extend towards the center of the hull on the bottom half of the cage. Saved lots of wooden props in the swamp from willow and tupelos. Might cause some power loss but saved a few props and strengthens the cage.

 

[COLD]

What is pretty much standard for what you guys run for gauge of wire. Is that stainless? I looked at canadian airboats site and he doesnt even have wire on some of his cages, just hoops. I don't want my kids to be able to touch a spinning prop but I guess if theres good potential to be bouncing off trees I could probably live with another 20, 30 pounds and maby save a couple grand in the end with 3/16" round bar. I don't mind that kind of fussy work anyways. I know! (and I have said that before!) you can't protect yourself from everything!

 

[marshmaster pat]

Cold - Not having wire is crazy. I have had several birds go through props (mainly little ones) and a number of them get sucked against the wire (mainly bigger ones). I know a boat that had a coot fly under the stand and ran over the gas tank - big nasty spat - and the driver had let off the gas. I had a water turkey-cormorant- dropped into the boat from a tree at night - made it back to the gas tank as my buddy tried to grab the nasty stinky critter and get it out, and I was killing the prop. Of course it was released without any harm to the critter. hehehe

Heard to many stories of coots getting eaten by props and the prop exploding during the old days when lots of boats just had half cages with the top open. Spooky to think about.

 

[Croc1]

whitebear I have it on my boat you can see it in my picture gallery .Just last week I was thinking about making part of it removable so it could double as a BBQ grill. I guess Rednecks choose function over bling!! CC are you gonna make this a new option on your cages

 

[jdotson]

Marshmaster it is a wide blade Sensenich with a 2:1 reducted 500 Cadillac

 

[c chardt]

The metal would help but the clearance was very close, but my opinon is that running over in lk kissimmee is not like running here over there it is wide open trailes and the only reason he did that he had not run there at night and pulled up in the trees. plus with that much power conduit could not hold up thats why I don't use it but thats my (opinon)

and croc that would be a good idea but the paint or powder coat most likely would not hold up. had been thinking of some thing like that so it would always be in the boat for any reason

 

[Croc1]

CC thats what I meant function over bling!! it would be practical but not pretty. Kill it and Grill it or nice paint job !! lifes full of choices

 

[Whitebear]

Uhhhh comeon folks ! Assuming anyone still runs expanded metal on their footstand, we used to just put a little propane one burner under the footstand and either grill or perk coffee. Boiled a few mudbugs in the coffee pot thata way too. Hahahahah

Scotty

 

[marshmaster pat]

White - If you were from Louisiana we would call that some "Cajun engineering". But it is a good idea.