200XL down again... another use for duct tape...

We left thurs night for the LCI open in burlington Vt. stayed over in TI to fish a bit friday. fished Friday and headed up to VT. from there. got to the hotel during 5;00 rush, not good with boat...
Me and the Banshee, Sat AM got up and drove 40 miles to ramp by the area I wanted to fish. long story short... bass were there. also added a plan B in case we needed some bass. was a good pratice and I was super excited, some big bass were going to be caught. I riggged up the banshee with big lure and heavy tackle, instructions... get a bite pull like crazy!!!
Next morning we got to the ramp way to early, left at 6:30 back at 3 hopefully. We took off and had an awesome 35 minute ride through a nice chop. The Stratos was just awesome. dream ride. got near our spot around 7 am and noticed a large canadian tournament taking off. crap. figured I'd have company. Got to my spot and had it to ourselves. We caught bass all day long. lost a few in the heavy stuff but had a really nice limit (8 bass). Banshee did an amazing job with fishing an entirely new way. She was Pullin'! left to head in at 1:50, figured that would give us alot of time to take it easy. At 2:15...
At 2:15... the boat slipped out of gear and stopped. tried taking off again and clunk... Lower unit. again... No boats in site. crap... after the trolling motor died, finally a cabin cruiser got us to a marina at 4:15. called a cab back to the truck in about 45 minutes, (30$ for cab) went back to the boat, got it on the trailer and out not easy considered the ramp was a shale bank and steep... So the banshee pulled out the boat up the hill... I hopped out as she went up the hill and WOW... lower unit was dangling 90 degrees and flopped over Hanging on by what I believe to be the shift lever. Did I hit something you ask... nope, Lower unit and prop was all but flawless. Well, we used the trim, motor toter, and some duct tape for the ride home. one thing left... we pulled over to the office with the boat, We needed a weigh in...
we took the bass out 1 at a time, estimating the weight. we got to 8, the total was about 29#'s. two bass at or over 5. we took them down to the dock, called some older guy fishing with his dog to be a witness. let them go one at a time. they were nice. On the road and back home at 11:30 pm. I'm used to this stuff but I felt bad for her, she did great only to have it wasted.
Tues am. took the boat to beckleys in Albany. they never seen anything like it. mid section broke off. I guess I'll see. Luckily it stayed on there with my prop, or else they would have said I hit something. got 3 boxes of Coronas in the fridge so I'm set for now.
I bought this boat so I wouldn't have to worry about problems making long runs on big water. my confidence is now shot. I went all in for this next 2 years only to be flamed out. but you all know me...

Still alive and well...
still alive and well...
every now and then it's really hard to tell...
but I'm still alive and well...

I have pics... send me email titled duct tape LU. I'll send them to you so you can post them here.... thanks...

http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/crying.gif that sucks....
maybe the'll get it fixed soon
http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/praying.gif

dale

Well, what kind of motor? Yammie, Merc or Rude?

boat was 2006 200XL with etec 225 HO.

I'm not sure about all this......after just having a gearcase installed I'd be looking at several items here........and a fatigued mid section would be one of the last.

TODD!! thank you for responding!! i'm in a real pickle! when I dropped off the boat, the service guy said never seen that before. told him I didn't hit anything. he said he agreed, since lower unit and prop were perfect. forward to today... he called and said BRP rep looked at it and said I hit something won't cover under warranty. called my insurance company and gotta wait for appraisor to look at it.
Not sure what you meant by one of the last? fatigued mid section? anyway, I'm screwed, gonna miss 2 day tournament this weekend. then next week starts a road trip for me. big open, 2 day BFL and finally Stren series. that would be $1300 in entries.
I have pics if anybody interested.

How are the bolts that held the lower unit to the mid section? Were they intact or were they sheered? Have you got any pictures?

I've sent you a pic. bolts were intact I believe.

You're up there and I'm down here.......but I've seen something like this before...and it wasn't the midsections fault.

Go ahead and forward the photos to me......I'll have a talk with BRP if need be.

you both should have pics now. Jason, that boat must fly!!

It did. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif It's in Louisiana with it's new owner. I had a 200 ProXL just like you in '05. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

Todd and jason, I sent photos to your profile email. I've been sitting home all daywaiting for adjuster to call...

Sending you an IM. That's one of my home e-mail addresses. I'll check it tonight. I don't check it as often as my work e-mail (not that I would use my work e-mail for anything other than work http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eyes.gif ). http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif

That's ugly......and I've never seen one like that which hadn't hit something substantial......

See what the adjuster says.......there's paint missing on the gearcase's leading edge that one (BRP) might claim as impact.

I noticed the paint missing there too. every since I had new unit installed, the paint was fadeing and coming off quick. Adjuster called last night and will check it out Sunday or monday. Ive been sitting around alot waiting for people to call, look at the pics some, seems odd prop untouched and no big dents or anything.
On the water no big bang or anything. seems if you hit something 50+ mph. you'd know it. Thanks for the input. I'll keep all informed. Thanks

I agree with Todd, the pic is ugly. You said the prop was untouched? Maybe it's reflections causing it, but it looks like the leading edge of the blade that I saw has a pretty good ding in it. Like I said, maybe it is just the reflections or something. That is some good duct tape by the way. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif

that must have been a reflection. prop was all but perfect. Thanks for the help guys. this is not a fun time... I'm a fall fisherman... my season always starts labor day. not happy. got a fridge full of Coronas though( traded some old ficht oil for it) So I'll be lubricated pretty good all weekend. when this is over later this fall I'll be down for a trade, need a boat to match the new harley... I'll keep you all up to date... thanks again guys...

Bring the insurance check and the boat......I can fix it much cheaper myself and will let you use the biggest portion of the check against your new one......

I just had an 06 201 demo come in with a 250 HPDI.......all new warranties.

Well, Insurance guy says I hit something. was fast, quiet, and effective. He was very surprised the prop and LU untouched pretty much. untouched so much I guess the gearcase maybe reused. So thats that. new harley arrives this week. Got deductable to pay. Adjuster was a bass guy so he's gonna put things on a fast track.
Todd, last night after about 7 beers I figured I couldn't pull it off coming down there again... but I got up this AM and it hit me, wouldn't pay tax on trade... Check book is empty. The whole idea just got a bit closer. I'll know more Monday. thanks for the input. I'm off to the C and O site...

Demo looks cool... just got a bit closer... may call tommorrow. Again checkbook empty...

Update... Dealer just called boat still Won't be done till maybe tues midday. that is the same day as registration for the Stren series in Plattsburgh. I got $750 entry ties up in this. Now hopefully at best I get up there with no practice. From what I've been told, a Stud bolt was broken off last friday and had to be ordered. This has been an all month ordeal. I also missed out on the 2 day super BFL tournament this weekend and a chance at the regional. I am not in a good mood... Todd, you were the smart one... I should have drove down with the broke boat and check...