G23 Prop Fell Off .....

[H2O]

I am wondering if the relatively long strut contributes to the failure? These boats with large diameter props appear to have a longer strut than the older boats without failures. The strut is made from a rather soft metal and could possibly induce harmonic vibrations in the shaft. Similar to certain crankshafts breaking when harmonics play a role at specific RPM but are otherwise robust. It may not be the shaft itself that is at fault but rather harmonic vibration.

[Tallredrider]

Another broken shaft... 2017 G23 with H6 engine and 162 hours. I was using the acme 2749 prop 17x14. I felt a slight vibration when turning around in surf mode and a rider on the wave. Once I straightened out the vibration got worse. I was just about to stop and my rider fell coming across rollers. I stopped let the waves pass and then when I went to put the boat back in gear rpms just went up. I immediately knew what happened as I had seen this thread just a few weeks ago. My dealer is awesome with getting parts to me quickly but seriously Nautique? It looks like this has been an issue since 2012 when the '13 models came out. I previously had a mastercraft x-star and the G is Hands down a better boat in ever other aspect. I did have some problems with the Mastercraft but never got stranded on the water like this. I also had the issue with the engine idler pulley bearings freezing and shredding a pulley. This left me stranded too. Nautique said it was a known issue there as well from Pcm and they covered it under warranty. 2 times now stranded on the water and I haven't even had the boat a year yet.

Cmerritt,
Do you run extra ballast? It does seem there are fewer failures with just stock ballast. I am going to venture more than stock, since you propped it down (are there high elevation lakes around there?).

I was hoping to believe in the theory that you either get a bad prop shaft or not, and that once you get to 100 hours, failure is less likely.

I notice that it broke inside the prop hub, like most do, and I wonder if the taper of the shaft and hub do not match, or that by not putting the appropriate torque on the nut, it might contribute. (either too much or too little torque).

[JoeCos]

Wow. I find this thread amazing. Amazing in the sense that Nautique has NOT addressed the issue. It must absolutely suck owning such a fantastic boat, and the shaft shearing off, and that Nautique knows there is a problem, Yet, no solution 5 years later. I dont own a "G" boat, but own an older nautique and been following this thread from the very start, to see if there will ever be a solution.

What the heck is going on?

[cmerritt]

Another broken shaft... 2017 G23 with H6 engine and 162 hours. I was using the acme 2749 prop 17x14. I felt a slight vibration when turning around in surf mode and a rider on the wave. Once I straightened out the vibration got worse. I was just about to stop and my rider fell coming across rollers. I stopped let the waves pass and then when I went to put the boat back in gear rpms just went up. I immediately knew what happened as I had seen this thread just a few weeks ago. My dealer is awesome with getting parts to me quickly but seriously Nautique? It looks like this has been an issue since 2012 when the '13 models came out. I previously had a mastercraft x-star and the G is Hands down a better boat in ever other aspect. I did have some problems with the Mastercraft but never got stranded on the water like this. I also had the issue with the engine idler pulley bearings freezing and shredding a pulley. This left me stranded too. Nautique said it was a known issue there as well from Pcm and they covered it under warranty. 2 times now stranded on the water and I haven't even had the boat a year yet.

[Quailhii]

Yes. Thankfully, my dealer (Desert Valley Power Sports) was in town that same evening, towed the boat back to Prosser and should have it back tomorrow evening, with new updated shaft and prop. Super fast, which I am grateful. Still think that Nautique needs to formally address this....

[greggmck]

2018 G23 - Prop Sheared Off

Proud new owner of a 2018 G23, purchase one week ago - 6.30.18 (Reside in Seattle / Lake Washington)
Yesterday the prop sheared off, and wow was I shocked. We were out with friends (7 on-board) doing a lazy cruise Lake Union, then headed for Kirkland, ramped up to 30mph crossing the lake. As we approached the marina, I started to back off, there was a slight shimmy or vibration at about 10mph and then I felt or heard a clunk, a slight rev of the engine and then no propulsion. I had no clue what occurred, but when I engaged to move forward the engine rpm rev'd up but no movement, did the same in reverse. I thought it seemed like the prop was gone, but was doubtful, since we didn't hit anything. Fortunately my buddy was heading out and was able to come rescue me and pull me to the Northend of the lake to North Lake Marina (I mention them by name, because they were so very helpful and allowed me to dock overnight). This morning, we pulled it out on the trailer to discover that the prop had definitely sheared off (see pics). Certainly in disbelief that this could occur to such a well designed and very expensive boat.

I am very disappointed for lots of reasons, mostly the fact that I don't have the boat for an unreal stretch of weather this week!
But I am very fortunate when it occurred, as we were out the night before in 20mph wind and that would have been way worse....

It seems, by reading some of the past posts and talking to my dealer, that this is not new to Nautique.
Its difficult to understand why Nautique has not re-engineered the drive shaft, its a real bummer for anyone to deal with, even a new owner that has a warranty. The worst is not having a boat and losing a week or more of summer, which is the only time to use a boat like this in the NW.

Did you call your dealer? They can repair it in 2-3 days. I had the same issue and got my boat back with an updated shaft (shorter keyway) in two working days. See my earlier posts.

[seachicken27]

Going on six years of props falling off. What if Ford made a car that had frequent driveline failures? Would this be acceptable to the consumer for six years? I know we all like our boats, but dang Nautique let's get it together.

[Quailhii]

2018 G23 - Prop Sheared Off

Proud new owner of a 2018 G23, purchase one week ago - 6.30.18 (Reside in Seattle / Lake Washington)
Yesterday the prop sheared off, and wow was I shocked. We were out with friends (7 on-board) doing a lazy cruise Lake Union, then headed for Kirkland, ramped up to 30mph crossing the lake. As we approached the marina, I started to back off, there was a slight shimmy or vibration at about 10mph and then I felt or heard a clunk, a slight rev of the engine and then no propulsion. I had no clue what occurred, but when I engaged to move forward the engine rpm rev'd up but no movement, did the same in reverse. I thought it seemed like the prop was gone, but was doubtful, since we didn't hit anything. Fortunately my buddy was heading out and was able to come rescue me and pull me to the Northend of the lake to North Lake Marina (I mention them by name, because they were so very helpful and allowed me to dock overnight). This morning, we pulled it out on the trailer to discover that the prop had definitely sheared off (see pics). Certainly in disbelief that this could occur to such a well designed and very expensive boat.

I am very disappointed for lots of reasons, mostly the fact that I don't have the boat for an unreal stretch of weather this week!
But I am very fortunate when it occurred, as we were out the night before in 20mph wind and that would have been way worse....

It seems, by reading some of the past posts and talking to my dealer, that this is not new to Nautique.
Its difficult to understand why Nautique has not re-engineered the drive shaft, its a real bummer for anyone to deal with, even a new owner that has a warranty. The worst is not having a boat and losing a week or more of summer, which is the only time to use a boat like this in the NW.

[j2nh]

The engines are rev limited.

As for inspections I seriously doubt that you will see any cracks prior to the breakage. Microscopically maybe, visually no.

The shafts are too close to strength limits and the result is failures. Either larger shaft diameters or a change in metallurgy is the answer.

Great that these are being taken care of quickly under warranty but what happens when the warranty expires? This could be a 1K hit plus time off water. Resale value?

[2019 G21]

When your prop decides to exit, being there is no load, does the engine race to redline or is there safe guards that prevent valvetrain damage? I would assume the engine cuts fuel or spark if max RPM is reached.

[DealsGapCobra]

If I had a G I think I would pay close attention to the shaft in the area where these break. I don’t know how long the time between a crack forming and failure but frequent inspections would seem prudent.

[charlesml3]

For those of you that have lost a prop can you recall anything hours or days in advance of the failure that may have been a warning sign? (Audible or physical via the hull or controls)

Also, those that have had the failure...were you primarily surfing and what was your production month/year?

We travel long distances on our lake and I am in fear of this failure happening when we are out of the country (lake is in US and Canada) with no towing services...just have to hope a friend or neighbor is around for the rescue.

We are at 50 hours with a production date of 02/18. G23

Yes. If you're paying attention, you'll notice a vibration. This is caused by the crack in the shaft prior to it shearing off. If you feel this vibration, you don't have much time. Don't try to no-wake speed back to the dock. You won't make it. Even at the slowest speed it'll do, the shaft will still shear.

There seems to be little correlation between surfing, wakeboarding, year-model, or hours. There are plenty of Gen 1 2013 G23s on the first drive shaft. My neighbor's is. He has over 750 hours on that boat. There are some people on their third drive shaft. It seems to be incredibly difficult to predict.

-Charles

[ST3]

For those of you that have lost a prop can you recall anything hours or days in advance of the failure that may have been a warning sign? (Audible or physical via the hull or controls)

Also, those that have had the failure...were you primarily surfing and what was your production month/year?

We travel long distances on our lake and I am in fear of this failure happening when we are out of the country (lake is in US and Canada) with no towing services...just have to hope a friend or neighbor is around for the rescue.

We are at 50 hours with a production date of 02/18. G23

[j2nh]

Wow, I am surprised that this is still happening. I love my Nautiques but nothing is perfect and this is clearly an engineering failure. At some point these boats are going to need larger shaft diameters, new struts, couplers and the props to handle the force exerted. Big undertaking for CC but it can't be cheap replacing all these shafts and props not to mention keeping new boat owners off the water.

[N2B8EM]

Just saw a new G25 delivered to one of my neighbors and wondered why since he got a new G23 last year. In turns out he had 3 prop shaft failures in a year. I even overheard employees at the gas dock talking about this issue.


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