Shallow water damage :/

[Murf'n'surf]

Go with a RTV silicone. You need to seal it not strengthen it.

 

[swatski]

Go with a RTV silicone. You need to seal it not strengthen it.

That is a good idea, it's the blue variety right? I have used that to seal in between the pump segments, still come off easily.

--

 

[Murf'n'surf]

It comes in white and black in most local stores.

 

[PJ73]

I know a guy, his name is Phil, real outgoing... Swears his stuff will work.

 

[Liveto99]

The flex seal in a can worked on a nial pop on my roof. I used the clear and it has worked great, and does not mess up the look of the roof like flashing cement. You can not tell it is there.

 

[Bluewater272]

FlexSeal is actually a pretty impressive product. Really expensive, too.

 

[dzeppos]

Two weeks at Lake Powell - I hit a rock just barely in what I thought was regular good water. It hit my port AK fin (just barely - no other contact damage on the boat), and only because i had a 800 lb ballast bag on the port stern that was dragging it down a good 9-12 inches in the water. Luckily - it only bent the lateral bracket- (So I thought) and the boat was still 100% functional. Still used it another 3 days on the water, and another day at lake mead a week later.

My boat guy looked at it today- and pointed out that the Rudder Plate was also cracked. See pictures (before - bent lateral bracket - which we repalced).
He asked if I was taking on any water in the bilge- my boat was and has been dry in the bilge the whole time for the several outings. (I'm lucky - i never get water in the bilge - rarely). Here's some pics. We're ordering a whole new Rudder plate - just hoping no real fiber glass damage or holes - but I would have already been taking water. Still going to use it in the meantime until the part comes in- any suggestions? Should I try 4200 or other sealant as extra insurance around the plate just to be extra safe?

 

[Bluewater272]

I had the same failure after a bottom contact, though mine was taking on water.

Personally, I'd be hesitant to continue using it given its current state and the forces it sees - if that were to rip off, you'd be in for a bad day.

 

[dzeppos]

My boat mechanic said not to beach it. I've put another 20 hours since the incident - (had it up to 49). The concern is when we take it off - but not a single drop in the bilge. Thanks for the input.
Demo

 

[Sotally Tober]

I typically boat in VERY shallow water just outside of Yuma, Arizona on the southern most stretch of the Colorado River. Seeing these cracked AK's has me a bit concerned and wondering if they can be removed on a 2019 242SE? Based on my boating experience in these shallow waters, I believe this is inevitable and I'm inclined to remove the AK totally.

 

[dzeppos]

The AK don’t hang lower then the boat - except when you have an 800 LB ballast bag on the swim platform and a wakebooster - probably lowers that side by 12 inches. It was a freak incident. A jagged rock reef in Powell surrounded by 30 feet of water. Good thing boat is not leaking anywhere the past few outings - and all but i can’t afford another hit until it’s replaced. I’m only boating in man made deep water Resevoirs until i fix it next month.

 

[Sotally Tober]

The AK don’t hang lower then the boat - except when you have an 800 LB ballast bag on the swim platform and a wakebooster - probably lowers that side by 12 inches. It was a freak incident. A jagged rock reef in Powell surrounded by 30 feet of water. Good thing boat is not leaking anywhere the past few outings - and all but i can’t afford another hit until it’s replaced. I’m only boating in man made deep water Resevoirs until i fix it next month.

Gotcha... We also beach the boat at sand bars stern-in quite often. Does anyone know if the 2019 242SE can be operated without the AK installed?

 

[dzeppos]

I know it can be done. And some people have done it. I would still get cobra fangs or jet pilot equivalents however installed.
My collision was the cobra fang on port side hitting boulder which jerked up the entire propulsion system. The rest of the boat is completely untouched Not a scratch.

The collision on the Fang bent at the bracket but not the thrusters. However - the shock pulled on the AK - and that’s the weak link. Be careful beaching from stern. I would instead get keel guard and beach from front if you are unsure your anchors will not hold

 

[Sotally Tober]

I know it can be done. And some people have done it. I would still get cobra fangs or jet pilot equivalents however installed.
My collision was the cobra fang on port side hitting boulder which jerked up the entire propulsion system. The rest of the boat is completely untouched Not a scratch.

The collision on the Fang bent at the bracket but not the thrusters. However - the shock pulled on the AK - and that’s the weak link. Be careful beaching from stern. I would instead get keel guard and beach from front if you are unsure your anchors will not hold

Good to know that operating the boat without the AKs can be done safely.

We are pro's when it comes to beaching from the stern as the party typically kicks off from the swim step area due to the stripper pole. We are able to lock the thrust vectors in the raised position to prevent damage and utilize two shore spikes (made by Slide) to secure the boat to the sand bar/beach.

I've had a keel guard and keel shield on previous Yamaha's but decided to go with a Line-X spray on keel this go around.

 

[ZGhost]

I typically boat in VERY shallow water just outside of Yuma, Arizona on the southern most stretch of the Colorado River. Seeing these cracked AK's has me a bit concerned and wondering if they can be removed on a 2019 242SE? Based on my boating experience in these shallow waters, I believe this is inevitable and I'm inclined to remove the AK totally.

Thinking the same thing especially if one has assisted steering Fins already like cobra fins or JP TV’s, why do you need a third keel that is proned to causing more damage if it hits anything due to its low position on the hull?

 

[Sotally Tober]

Thinking the same thing especially if one has assisted steering Fins already like cobra fins or JP TV’s, why do you need a third keel that is proned to causing more damage if it hits anything due to its low position on the hull?

Alright... I’ve made up my mind. AK is coming off as soon as I’m done with this deployment. I’ve got 15 years of piloting Yamaha’s so no need for the rudder. This boat needs to be backed into the sand bar.... so the ladies can put on a show

 

[Inthrustwetrust]

Good to know that operating the boat without the AKs can be done safely.

We are pro's when it comes to beaching from the stern as the party typically kicks off from the swim step area due to the stripper pole. We are able to lock the thrust vectors in the raised position to prevent damage and utilize two shore spikes (made by Slide) to secure the boat to the sand bar/beach.

I've had a keel guard and keel shield on previous Yamaha's but decided to go with a Line-X spray on keel this go around.

You got my attention at stripper pole, I’m interested in both how you mounted it and photos of it in use! Probably worthy of another thread lol

 

[Sotally Tober]

You got my attention at stripper pole, I’m interested in both how you mounted it and photos of it in use! Probably worthy of another thread lol

There’s plenty of pictures in the media albums and on the forums of both on my 2013 212SS.

Right now my new 2019 242SE is in the shop getting a new pole fabricated and stereo install. I’ll have the boat ready in September.