just picked up the VLX <BR>great boat <BR>everything I wanted <BR>launched it, idiots were blocking the ramp after the boat was in the water....my driver tried to keep from running into the dock, but there was no place to go....the wind caught her and reverse was the only option ......the prop hit the ramp <BR>.....I was parking the truck....hadn't even gotten in the boat, till after it happened <BR> <BR>the thing had .3 hours on it <BR> <BR>ran it....1st hour of break-in is 2000 rpm or lower <BR> <BR>we never felt a vibration, so we ran it till hours got to 1.7 <BR> <BR>looking at it after....two blades have really good spots on them <BR> <BR>my 2005 Xti woulda had the whole boat shakin.....it was a DD <BR> <BR>do v-drives just handle things better? <BR>perhaps 'cause the dings are at the very tips...it isn't as big a deal.....? <BR>am plannin on trying to finish the 3 hour breakin Sunday.....so we can surf or board wednesday <BR> <BR>what do yall think? <BR>if there is no vibration, should I shut-er-down anyway <BR>got a new prop ordered on-line <BR>might just face the ridicule and take it in mon or tues for a fix <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/450459.jpg" alt="Upload">

I have done the same thing...hit the ramp while attempting to launch. I had some dings on the edges and did not really feel any vibrations till 30-35mph then went away 36-top speed. I ran it the rest of the day, then took it to the local prop shop and had it straightened and balanced for $65. <BR>I also hit a submerged stump once, that totaly bent every blade and the boat shook violently at ANY speed. Again, I took it to the prop shop and same thing, straightened and rebalanced....only difference is this time it was $105. <BR>I ALMOST bought a new prop the first time, @ $365 until I heard about our local prop repair guy....beautiful workmanship and way cheaper than a new one. I am sure you have a prop shop in your hometown, but if not maybe some places will ship to and from? You would still save even if shipping out of town. Just an FYI

If it was my brand new boat I wouldn't run it with a dinged prop, no matter how small the damage was. <BR> <BR>Vibrations, even one's you can't feel are not good for the shaft, strut, cutlass bearing, or transmission. <BR> <BR>IT'S A BRAND NEW BOAT. PLEASE be patient and treat her right. Just park it till the new prop comes in. There's plenty of summer left, and it ain't worth the risk of damaging other parts of the drivetrain. <BR> <BR>Take the old prop to a local propeller shop and get it straightened too keep as a spare; it'll run good as new. No need to lose face at the stealership. If you don't have a local prop shop that can work on it, you can always ship it off to one of the many propeller repair places on the net. I would also suggest going ahead and buying a prop puller ($60). Eventually you'll have a prop get stuck to the shaft. If you already have the puller, then you dont have to worry about the temptation to beat the prop off with a hammer. <BR> <BR>That really sucks you had carnage on your 1st day out. Be patient though, and wait for the new prop to come in. Its worth it in the long run on a new boat. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>My $0.03, <BR>Dirty

I'd order the ACME 1235 or the OJ 475 for it, you're gonna want it if you load it up. Then send your stock prop in to get it fixed and keep it as a spare.

we decided not to run it today...bummer <BR>but we know it's the right move <BR>...I am gunna stay with the stock prop for now <BR> <BR>I know that alot of 'Bu owners love the 1235, but I don't even know what the stock prop and Hammerhead can do <BR>so far, we haven't been above 3000 rpm <BR>......and we've run with no ballast or wedge <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/450598.jpg" alt="Upload">

You said you have a new prop on order. There isn't much difference in the holeshot of a hammerhead and a monsoon similarly proped. It's the middle to upper rpm range the HH REALLY comes alive. If you had another stock 537 ACME on order I was just gonna tell you might as well order the 1235, you'll want it later on. Your prop doesn't look bad now.

nu bu <BR>see the bend on the top blade <BR>that's the worst one <BR>like I said, there is no vibration <BR>....it would be nice to get that last hour of break-in in today

If that was the magnitude of the damage on the prop and that was my boat I'd run it until I got a new prop. I can't tell if the bottom blades in the pic are pealed back, if so I wouldn't run it.

nope <BR>that's the worst of it <BR>like I said, in my XTi...you could really tell if there was a bend <BR>but the VLX, I would never have known, if she hadn't told what happened....or if I hadn't looked

sounds like you're set for the rest of the break in hours then.

Thanks for the jinx! <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0> <BR>I took the boat out today for a test session of some extensive engine repairs done this last week....boat ran absolutely flawlessly. As I was pulling on the trailer, the idiot next to me was launching and he nailed his throttle off his trailer as I was going in...he sent a small make over to me that put me off center just enuf and hit the trailer <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/angry.gif" border=0> <BR>It is pretty bad on 2 blades and I am SURE it will vibrate so off it comes. I am so mad because Memorial weekend is 5 days away!GRRRR <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/sad.gif" border=0>

sorry Chad <BR>here in Texas, boat ramps have never been as bad as what yall say they are in California <BR> <BR>I have never had to wait more than 5 minutes or so <BR> <BR>but I swear the idiots are out in force so far this year <BR> <BR>there was a guy yesterday...on a 3 lane ramp <BR>take up 2 lanes with 20 trucks waiting <BR> <BR>he sat there.....his boat was still on the trailer, but his boat battery was dead <BR>NOT THE TRUCK, BUT THE BOAT BATTERY! <BR> <BR>then people just sit in the water so no one has anyplace to go once they launch <BR> <BR>I hope that things get back to normal around here soon

Yeah there are a lot of idiots these days...absolutely no courtesy whatsoever. People jump in front of you when they can clearly see you are in a line waiting for your turn...and the ones that launch then wait at the dock for their 12 friends to load in...sometimes I just want to kick everyone in the face, but since I am a non violent person I just sit and wait <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/uhoh.gif" border=0>

OK, guys. Most of you know I sell props. On Mondays I sell about a half-dozen props with Weekend Saver Kits. The story is the same - damaged prop and a shot weekend. On Wednesdays through Fridays, I am hard pressed to sell a weekend saver kit. <BR> <BR>I don't know why people with a $20,000 plus boat will not put a spare prop and Weekend Saver Kit in the boat. Sure, it is over $400 - but what value do you put on having your boat work with the very limited hours you have for riding? <BR> <BR>Even if you don't get the kit - assemble your own with a prop puller, tools, prop, and parts. Just protect your prop from the boat and your boat and gear from the prop. It is useless to put a damaged prop on your boat to replace a damaged prop. <BR> <BR>FWIW - about 1/3 of the people who order on Mondays damaged the prop during launching - on either the trailer or the bottom.

thanks Karl <BR>you are absolutely right <BR>I will never go out again..without a spare and a puller...etc.... <BR>I guess I haven't paid attention...or I woulda bought a spare and a kit from you <BR>sorry

The boys shouldn't laugh to hard<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>I would run that one by James Propeller on Valwood, he can probably fix that easily.

maybe not <BR>Tony will probably have a good time with it <BR>and Frank of 'course <BR>but they aren't so bad <BR>great guys <BR>when do you get your '07?

Karl...thanks for the offer...I already have a prop puller, and I actually have 3 props. I usually have at least 1 that is freshened up and ready to go, but I got lazy the last time and did not get around to getting one to the shop. We do a lot of river riding and hit logs and submersed stumps way too often and I should have known better but oh well, gonna get all 3 fixed this week. Planning on spending a lot of time on the water over Memorial weekend so I best be prepared huh. <BR>P.S., sorry Cliff...not trying to jack your thread.

Got my 07 2 weeks ago, was down with Frank and the crew today, good time. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/450747.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/450748.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/450749.jpg" alt="Upload">

great looking boat Shane <BR>did yall go down to Frank's place on the river <BR> <BR>went out on his 247 with the kiddos in the girls wakeboard club <BR> <BR>that's a large boat....nice too

Thanks, Cliff, down there every weekend, we have a mobile unit at the redneck riviera.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>

just got the prop back on and we are good to go <BR> <BR>my puller and spare will be here before the weekend! <BR> <BR> <BR>woo hoo!