G23 Prop Fell Off .....

[<ReLax>]

I have a new 2019 G25 and just stumbled across this thread. Are these prop issues happening with the G25s too or limited to the G23s?

[SoCal G-Man]

I was skeptical, and thoroughly questioned the dealership about it. It ultimately admitted that the prop sat approximately 1/8"-3/16" away from the strut. And further admitted that it was their theory that because it was that close to the strut, the pressure created in that small space "may" have caused problems. Neither I nor ACME believed this theory, but the dealer would not put the 3081 prop back on. I have no idea who is right or wrong--just that I now have the 3345 on the boat instead of the 3081. Interestingly, the two are supposed to have the same specs, but RPM on the 3345 at surfing speed are about 150-200 higher than the 3081 (still about 300-350 lower than the stock prop).

Wow, that is interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[scarbs]

I don't see how the additional 3/8" can come close to rubbing??? At least on my 2016.

I was skeptical, and thoroughly questioned the dealership about it. It ultimately admitted that the prop sat approximately 1/8"-3/16" away from the strut. And further admitted that it was their theory that because it was that close to the strut, the pressure created in that small space "may" have caused problems. Neither I nor ACME believed this theory, but the dealer would not put the 3081 prop back on. I have no idea who is right or wrong--just that I now have the 3345 on the boat instead of the 3081. Interestingly, the two are supposed to have the same specs, but RPM on the 3345 at surfing speed are about 150-200 higher than the 3081 (still about 300-350 lower than the stock prop).

[SoCal G-Man]

I just went through this with Nautique and ACME. I had the 3081 on my boat when the main seal on the transmission failed and leaked all of the fluid out. We had no idea until it was too late and the transmission completely failed leaving us stranded for hours at Lake Powell. Everything was covered under warranty, but as part of the repair, Nautique agreed to preemptively change the prop shaft and prop. As part of that repair, the dealer claimed that the larger hub of the 3081 was rubbing on the strut and "may" have contributed to the transmission seal failure and refused to reinstall the 3081 on the boat--even though it had installed the 3081 on the boat in the first place. I talked to ACME about it and it refused to believe the dealer's theory, but fortunately, ACME agreed to swap out the 3081 for a 3345. I currently have both the 3081 and 3345 props in my possession as well as two stock props and can confirm that the 3081 has a bigger hub and that the 3345 has a hub identical to the stock hub. But I have no idea which one is better for the breaking shafts. Seems like the stock props are breaking the shafts at a higher rate than any other prop.

I don't see how the additional 3/8" can come close to rubbing??? At least on my 2016.

[SoCal G-Man]

I should probably look that hull over a little closer when I get back to the boat. Let me know what you find out on the props and if it does or doesn't have a longer hub and even if it matters. It doesn't seem like it could make a difference, but I'd definitely be interested if it did. I wonder if the dealer would put something else other than what came on it stock for the warranty repair??


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I am sure there are several theories about rotating mass behind the strut. It seems like spreading-out the prop weight would be less stress on the driveline, unless the additional weight of the 3/8" longer hub causes more driveline stress? I should have paid more attention in math...

[scarbs]

Thank you. The ACME sales rep explained to me that a longer hub would reduce the chance of a shaft breaking. I just looked on their website, and the 3345 and 3081 seem to be identical. Perhaps ACME has their specs wrong online and their sales rep has it backwards? I just left a message for Brian at Valley Prop Service in Ventura, CA. He has been a prop guru for decades. Hopefully he can shed some light on this, and I can share his opinion.

I just went through this with Nautique and ACME. I had the 3081 on my boat when the main seal on the transmission failed and leaked all of the fluid out. We had no idea until it was too late and the transmission completely failed leaving us stranded for hours at Lake Powell. Everything was covered under warranty, but as part of the repair, Nautique agreed to preemptively change the prop shaft and prop. As part of that repair, the dealer claimed that the larger hub of the 3081 was rubbing on the strut and "may" have contributed to the transmission seal failure and refused to reinstall the 3081 on the boat--even though it had installed the 3081 on the boat in the first place. I talked to ACME about it and it refused to believe the dealer's theory, but fortunately, ACME agreed to swap out the 3081 for a 3345. I currently have both the 3081 and 3345 props in my possession as well as two stock props and can confirm that the 3081 has a bigger hub and that the 3345 has a hub identical to the stock hub. But I have no idea which one is better for the breaking shafts. Seems like the stock props are breaking the shafts at a higher rate than any other prop.

[cptotr]

I should probably look that hull over a little closer when I get back to the boat. Let me know what you find out on the props and if it does or doesn't have a longer hub and even if it matters. It doesn't seem like it could make a difference, but I'd definitely be interested if it did. I wonder if the dealer would put something else other than what came on it stock for the warranty repair??


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[SoCal G-Man]

Here are the pics from when mine broke

Sorry to hear another G23 member joining our prop shaft club. Check inside your hull. When mine broke, it looked minor from underneath the boat like yours, but it had punched a hole through.

[SoCal G-Man]

There was another thread on here that was perhaps pointing at longer than stock prop hubs for some other issues related to strut, etc. - prop is too close to the strut. I assume this is why they just came out with the 3345, 18" prop with stock 3" hub length. Acme said there had been a lot of requests for a 3081 with a shorter hub, now the 3345.

Thank you. The ACME sales rep explained to me that a longer hub would reduce the chance of a shaft breaking. I just looked on their website, and the 3345 and 3081 seem to be identical. Perhaps ACME has their specs wrong online and their sales rep has it backwards? I just left a message for Brian at Valley Prop Service in Ventura, CA. He has been a prop guru for decades. Hopefully he can shed some light on this, and I can share his opinion.

[blueroom]

Exactly! I am curious whether or not the new 2805(?) prop with the longer hub helps.

There was another thread on here that was perhaps pointing at longer than stock prop hubs for some other issues related to strut, etc. - prop is too close to the strut. I assume this is why they just came out with the 3345, 18" prop with stock 3" hub length. Acme said there had been a lot of requests for a 3081 with a shorter hub, now the 3345.

[ST3]

It's a 2015 G23. Has the 450 in it. Currently has about 190 hours. We typically surf and wakeboard about 50/50. We don't have any extra ballast or run a very large crew. Usually 5 or less people in the boat.


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Thank you. All of this data helps. Also, very sorry about the lost time on the water. Keep us posted on how your dealer and Nautique respond.

[surroundsound64]

Looks like it propagated from that keyway... sucks.

[cptotr]

Here are the pics from when mine broke

[cptotr]

It's a 2015 G23. Has the 450 in it. Currently has about 190 hours. We typically surf and wakeboard about 50/50. We don't have any extra ballast or run a very large crew. Usually 5 or less people in the boat.


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[ST3]

Broke my prop shaft yesterday afternoon. It also took a big chunk of of the hull too. Pretty much ruined our evening and labor day weekend. I can't believe this is something you have to deal with after spending that kind of money on their "top of the line" boat. I've read the entire thread here and it doesn't seem like they've came up with a solution yet unless I'm missing something. I'd like to know what the percentage of the G's have this happen? I'm assuming it can't be a large amount, but from reading here it seems like plenty. Since it's been happening for basically the entire lifespan of the boat it's really upsetting that they won't fix the issue. Is it the fact that they just don't know how to fix it or they don't want to pay what it costs to do it? Is it that they'd rather spend their money on marketing and driving up the cost of the new models rather than R&D to take care of a major problem that has costed countless Nautique owners both time and money from having to tow the boat in and haul it to the dealer? Am I supposed to cringe every time I engage the throttle from now on for the rest of the time I own this boat wondering if this will be the time I'll be stranded again? This is absolutely absurd to me!! I can't believe Nautique would just sit back and continue to let this happen.


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What year is your boat, how many hours, which engine, and what is your primary activity? Wakesurf?Trying to get everyone to include this info when posting. Thank you...