Hitting Bottom

[Fishin24/7]

I was coming of plane yesterday and my evinrude etec dug into the ground which I think was made of hard clay. It scratched the bottom and sides a couple inches up on my lower unit and there's a few small nicks in my SS prop. Should I be worried about anything or I'm I just being paranoid?

[Fishin24/7]

My motor also hit a stump (I think) while I was on the trolling motor which may be we're the scratches came from. It made a loud thump and the back end lifted up some and it stopped the boat for a second and felt like it busted threw what ever it was. Not a good day on a shallow lake with dirty water!

[BassnChris]

I have bumped some things in the lake I usually fish.........but just at the trolling speed.....not as fast as when coming off plane though.

 

I can not speak to nicks....I willhave to wait and see along with you when the experts chime in.

[Jig Man]

paranoid

[BassnChris]

paranoid

Hyper-vigilant if you please.

[slonezp]

The skeg can take alot.

[zip pow]

I ran mine across a clay hump at 50 and didn't hurt anything although I wouldn't advise it. About threw me out of the boat and busted my windshield.

[Shewillbemine]

You should be fine. Just check on it once in a while in the next few trips.

[Sun Fish]

I wouldn't be to worried about hitting clay or a stump at trolling motor speed, you should be fine.  However you may lose some performance due to the nicks in the prop or if a blade got bent.  It's the rocks that you really have to worry about.  

[SeaBeaver]

I had the misfortune of not being familiar with the lake and hit some rocks coming off plane. It was my first time out with a new boat and motor. Everything seems fine though it really stressed me out though till I got it home and checked for cracks in the lower unit.