Alex F
Well-Known Member
- Nov 14, 2006
- 9,166
- Boat Info
- 2005 420DB with AB 11 DLX Tender, Raymarine Electronics (2x12" MFDs) with Vesper AIS
- Engines
- Cummins 450Cs, 9KW Onan Generator, 40HP Yamaha for tender.
While cruising our famous Hudson river I hit a huge log (half the size of a telephone pole, it very will might be just that – telephone pole but not the full length). It must have been floating for very long time b/c it changed to the color of the water, so obviously I didn’t see it only until we hit it. When I looked back after the impact I got real nervous for a moment after seen the size of this thing. BTW, I’ve hit a log before but nothing this large. I have to mention that the log was floating perpendicularly to the boast during the impact. The bang was not loud at all, but from what it looked like we hit it in the middle, but I can’t be sure. I immediately started monitoring everything very closely. The boat didn’t loose the performance, nothing changed, bilge pumps didn’t go off (that was my biggest fear). I kept very close eye on everything to determine if we were damaged. The only thing I felt was a slight vibration. I continued on because I didn’t think there was an emergency to stop in the middle of the busiest water in NYC. When I got to our destination I began my dives under (with just mask and snorkel) to see where the impact was and if anything was damaged. I inspected all underwater gear and the hull, but I didn’t see any signs of the impact. Props looked fine as I inspected them number of times thinking that this would be the primary contributor to the vibration. I should mention that the vibration is present not constantly, sometimes I feel like it’s not there at all. So, not finding anything we continued with our trip home. We happen to be in 4-5 and occasional 6 footers in the ocean. The boat performed great and to my surprise it was able to stay on plane at 3100rpms doing 17mph. I had at that speed for some time until the sees calmed down a bit. The slight vibration was noticeable at times. It’s hard for me to make the conclusion, b/c I know that it’s a different ride when you in rough water. We had entered the inlet when it was getting dark, so I didn’t have chance to test it in the calm waters (I never go on plain in the dark).
I’ll be testing the boat in the bay trying to determine if the vibration is there in calm water. So far based on my observation in the rough waters the slight vibration is only occurs on plane, not getting on plan, not going 1200-1500rpms. BTW, I was at 1300rpms for another 2 hours getting to my marina from the inlet and felt no vibration.
So, my question is what would you do considering all the fact I had mentioned? Would you pull the boat out or would continue with the season? I have the dive equipment I can use to inspect it more thoroughly, but it’s very possible that if the props hit the log the bend could be so mild that I can’t see it with naked eye.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
I’ll be testing the boat in the bay trying to determine if the vibration is there in calm water. So far based on my observation in the rough waters the slight vibration is only occurs on plane, not getting on plan, not going 1200-1500rpms. BTW, I was at 1300rpms for another 2 hours getting to my marina from the inlet and felt no vibration.
So, my question is what would you do considering all the fact I had mentioned? Would you pull the boat out or would continue with the season? I have the dive equipment I can use to inspect it more thoroughly, but it’s very possible that if the props hit the log the bend could be so mild that I can’t see it with naked eye.
Any ideas would be appreciated.