So I hit a rock!!

[Diablos]

I have a map of a local pond that I started fishing and marking rocks. I must have missed one :-[. Well anyways, my prop is totally destroyed yet the skeg was barely touched. The major problem is when i turn the prop by hand there is a clicking sound behind it and the  throttle won't go back to neutral or reverse..kinda weird. So I'm figuring there is more damage done then appears. Any ideas?

[Travlin_Man]

Before you panic, take the prop or whats left of it off the prop shaft and see if there are pieces of shear pin or broken prop causing the shaft to bind up.

[Jig Man]

Also check to see if the prop shaft is bent.

[Diablos]

Ok..I know we tend to over analyze with the thought of $$ flying away. ;D

Just some more observations, I see.  With the motor tilted all the way up and turned off, the throttle will not go back to neutral or reverse from foward. I don't know if that's normal. Now with motor tilted down i have to spin the prop shaft slowly until the throttle catches then I can work the throttle normally. There appears to be no metal shavings or pieces in the prop shaft area and the prop shaft seems to run smooth and straight with the throttle in neutral. This all done by hand with the motor off.

Just two questions now.

1) Since I bought a spare prop, can I run the motor with ear muffs connected delivering water and put the motor in gear without any damage to see if the prop is running straight?

2) Now the dumb question, does the thick metal washer behind the prop sit flat side against the prop or facing the transom? Stupid me didn't pay attention to which way it came off. Incompitence at its finest