OC report 10/6 - 10/7(bad day!)

[snowranger]

Went out in the fog Saturday and made our way to the Hotdog with a plan to work the 30-50 fa area looking for yellowfin. Decided to put a few wahoo lines out and fast troll over the dog while looking for bait etc. 5 minutes after lines in had our first wahoo bite. Put that one in the boat and had another one spit the hook around noon. One little mahi on the troll but that was it for the day. Finished the day on the first sausage and made our way back in in the fog.

Sunday decided to take my parents out for a half day to the fingers. Left the dock around 11am and 13 miles offshore had my starboard shaft break in the strut. Didn't hit anything, started to vibrate for a second and before you know it thump and nothing. Lost the prop and it took the rudder with it. After a quick swim to assess the damage, limped home on one engine. Put out a 3 rod spread for the troll home and had two knock downs but nothing came tight! Ended up calling boattowus to get a tow in the inlet and through the bridge. I have done it before on one engine and two rudders but my steering was very limited with one rudder.

Although this one is going to cost me and probably mean the end of the season, it could have been worse. Luckily the shaft broke clean with no damage to the strut or hull and we were only 13 miles off in flat seas. Now I need to find a 1.5 in shaft and a Blackfin rudder (transom mounted)...

[talbot29]

Boy, that sucks about about you loosing your shaft and other running gear (there's a joke in there somewhere but I'll leave alone out of respect). At least everyone got home safe. Good luck with the repairs.

__________________
Tim Talbot
Got Fish Too?
Judge 34 Express

[longfin2]

Sorry to hear that Eric. It could have been a lot worse though. Owning a boat is fun isn't it

[TerpHeels]

Well at least you got some time now to get her right again. Good thing it didn't take anything more w/it.

[RM]

Wow no fun but back safe. Be curious to hear what they think caused the shaft to go.

[snowranger]

When I bought the boat the survey revealed some pitting on the shafts. After advice from various profesionals, I decided not to replace the shafts but knew there was a chance the pitting had weakened them. In hindsight, I made the wrong decision by not replacing both shafts but I had to prioritize the repairs at the time. Again, could have been much worse....(like having it happen in 1000 fathons in the Wilmington on my last trip!)
Hope you guys get out there and catch those fall fish because it looks like I am going to be laid up for a while!