I/O sterndrive damaged?

[SnapperBlue]

Hi,

I'm taking a used boat on a test drive. The hull is in very good condition, but the prop has chunks missing -- looks like it hit rocks hard. The skag looks perfect. On close inspection I saw faint grinding marks that look like a new skag was welded on.

The current owner knows nothing about the damage, and says the boat runs great. I'd never run it with the prop in it's current condition.

What signs/symptoms should I look for that would suggest internal damage?

Thanks!

[Reelentless]

Vibrations. Strange noises.

Have it checked before you buy the boat.

[FishinMission]

Not good to run that thing with pieces missing from the prop. It could cause some nasty vibrations. I'd have the guy put a good prop on it before you even get it wet.

:twocents:

Mark

[backlash442]

Believe it or not I was on my friends boat when his anchor came off while running and hit his prop (duo prop). Blew off some nice chunks on our way to go fishing although we didn't even notice it until the boat was backed up in his drive way! There was no noticeable vibration at all. Now since it wasn't my boat I could understand me not feeling something but he didn't either. We were both shocked. So my suggestions would be to have the boat looked at by someone before you go for a test ride.

[San Anita]

:twocents: With visual damage, I would recommend pending the sale $ amount on the condition of the I/O. Then either the seller pay, you pay or split the cost and paying the $250 to have the drive pulled and checked by a qualified mechanic. An I/O is very expensive to repair or replace. Costs for a new Volvo Penta Single Prop replacement with labor was around 6K last year.
Bill

[Land Shark]

Last spring I hit a submerged log with my outdrive in the MC channel. I stopped and slowly motored over to the Gilbert R. ramp and raised the lower unit . NO prop damage at all. Only a small scuff on the nose of the lower unit. It did hit pretty hard but I couldn't tell of any damage. I continued on up to Coon Island and anchored for awhile . When I left, everything was still fine until just after I pulled anchor and swung around to pass by all the anchored boats and pooof! no power to the prop. After inspection out of the water the upper gear housing had cracked at the bottom where it meets the lower housing . Well....that wasn't the big problem. The vertical shaft that drives the prop shaft had broke clean in half. I would be careful with buying something that had hit hard on the the lower unit area, and yes rebuild of anything down in that area is Expensive! I just did everything from the transom back ouch..... :shocked:

[SnapperBlue]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll proceed with caution!