Saturday was my second time on the Cal Delta. Went out with my wife and two sons in our 99 Bass Tracker PT185. Fished from Stockton to the south west. We were heeded back into Ladd's Marina on the deep water channel at WOT, which is about 32 MPH on my boat. The wind was blowing making a bit of chop on the surface. As we are just cruising along, I notice a log just under the surface about 50 feet in front of the boat. When I say log, I'm talking 2-3 feet in diameter, and about 50 feet long (from what I could tell). I had enough time to say "Oh S#$%" throttle all the way down and start trimming the motor up.... BAM struck it square on the keel, boat flew into the air, $4000 worth of rods and reels tossed around the boat (small miracle that none went into the drink), and it appeared the log was pushed further under the water because it never hit the out board (another small miracle).

We drifted for a bit, making sure no one was hurt, then checked the equipment. After we gained our composure I beached it in the first place I could find to check for damage. I hit the bilge pump and it spat out some water, but I could not see any major damage. We high tailed it for the Marina and made it back safe and sound. The keel was pretty bent up and it ripped a rivet out of the keel guard, which was the source of the leak. Sunday I started tearing the front deck off, and reached the inside of the hull this evening. I have to say one thing about Tracker, they make some tough boats!! There was flotation foam filling every open space!! I was able to pound the majority of the dent out, and tomorrow I will replace the missing rivet. I plan to have a larger/thicker keel guard fabricated to add strength and hide the remnants of this dent...

Out of all this i have learned three lessons: It could have been a lot worse. I will wear my PFD every time the OB is running. I will pay the $20 or so every month to insure my boat.....

if you ever see logs again, just idle right over top of them usually this will push them to the side and save your engine.  Ive hit a good size log on the james before going 50 and that was not fun

Good advise, unfortunately I could not see the log until it was too late.

ya i know what you mean, sometimes if i know from previous experience that logs could be in an area i will stand up while driving.  This helps me see them farther ahead.

That's our lovely Delta! Too much fun!

I was wondering, what kind of damage would this have done to a glass boat? My current boat is a stepping stone to a nice Ranger or Skeeter (someday).

my glass boat has been fine after that hit, ut i wouldnt recommend doing it, doing the idle thing like i told you will not harm your hull at all.

I've hit a couple logs in my glass boat, and didn't do any hull damage (wasn't going that fast), but my prop got pretty mangled on one.

im suprised your skid fin didnt push the log under your prop.

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That's our lovely Delta! Too much fun!

hahaha Ya just wait till summer time!we get to dodge logs and wake boarders and cigar boats!