On the Full Moon high tide Wed. Dec. 13th, I decided to go way up Cow Creek to get a big red. I had traveled this creek dozens of times. This was the second trip with my new stainless steel SkegGuard and the first time I had to navigate winding channels with it. As I was going into an S curve, the first curve, I could not turn like I had before the shank guard. As I entered the second curve, I could not turn back into the center of the channel. I reduced throttle which dropped me off a plane. That is when I felt a bump and the boat stopped. The motor cranked and I tried to back up and did not move. Then I tried to go forward and did not move. Then when I tilted up the engine I saw that the bottom of lower unit was missing–the SkegGuard, stainless steel prop, drive shaft and most of the housing. I was up the creek and although I had a paddle it was of no help. It was 2 PM and I could have called Sea Tow but I decided to use my trolling motor. This proved to be a very slow process against the tide and wind. I made 4 miles back to the river about 4:30 PM and hoped someone might be fishing and I could get a tow. It had been busy earlier but no one was around. So I go up the river against the falling tide at less than 2 mph. It was dark and the sea fog had moved in. At 6 PM, a mile from the ramp, 2 nice guys night fishing towed me back to the boat ramp.
I believe the SkegGuard changed the performance of my boat and caused me to be unable to remain in the channel.
I returned to the location on a very low tide the following Friday in a Jon Boat. I found the broken off SkegGuard, the prop and prop shaft and a piece of the lower unit housing in a rock outcrop. I was out of the channel by a few feet. Except for this rock outcrop, the bank of the creek was mud for half a mile. The SkegGuard was strong and basically tore the lower unit apart.
The estimated repair cost was over $2,700 and I was responsible for the $500 deductible with my insurance company paying the rest. My insurance rate will probably increase upon renewal.
