Out this morning fishing the Susquehana river near the Conowingo Dam. While out on the water I noticed lots of debris in floating along. Mostly tree branches. Anyway I am crusing along on plane in some decent chop from the wind and I don't see this branch. I go over it and BANG. Boat stops moving. I trim up the motor and see I now have no prop and the prop shaft is broken. Hopefully I can get my warranty to cover human error. If not does anyone have any idea what something like this will cost to fix? I am an auto technician so I can most likely do it myself if I have to. It is a Mercury 40hp EFI. Looks like I won't be fishing for a while   On the plus side it didnt happen too far from the marina so I could use the trolling motor to get in and I did manage one smallie before I left.

Insurance will cover it

Warranty will not cover it but some insurance companies will or will not.  I have had to fight with

some of them over the same thing.  Afterward, I always had a local company.

Looks like I have to wait until Monday to contact anyone on it. I'm sure I will get screwed one way or another. We'll see.. 

You hit a log, why would you even think your warranty should cover it?

Your warranty will not cover it. Your insurance probably will, minus the deductible. 

You hit a log, why would you even think your warranty should cover it?

I honestly am not sure. I bought some extended coverage along with the factory warranty. It covers everything front to back along with all of my gear so it's a possibility. Doubtful I'm sure, but worth a shot I guess. If not then I just go the insurance route that's all.

I honestly am not sure. I bought some extended coverage along with the factory warranty. It covers everything front to back along with all of my gear so it's a possibility. Doubtful I'm sure, but worth a shot I guess. If not then I just go the insurance route that's all.

 

the worst thing they say is not covered. maybe they find the original was defective? 

No warranty is going to cover running over a log.  That's what insurance is for.  Contact your agent immediately.

Well just to give you guys an update. It turns out that I didnt end up hitting a floating branch after all. The noise I heard was the prop hitting the boat. The shaft was defective and mercury is replacing the whole lower unit under manufacturer warranty. The way the shaft is made the splines are spin welded and I guess the weld isn't good enough because it sheared it off right at the weld. There was no fuss from mercury about it so I am assuming this is a known problem. So anyone out there with a mercury keep this in mind. My part may be here Friday just in time to get me back on the water Saturday 

Great news!  It's nice to here the manufacturer stood behind their product.  It's always a fight trying to get something covered under warranty, glad Merc does it right.  On to fishing!