Ran Across a Sandbar...
 

I have a 98 25 AT. Yesterday I was comming back from Browns and ran across a sandbar for a few seconds. I felt the engine bogg down like something was dragging, looked behind me and saw a trail of sand. I checked the depth finder and saw 2.0'. Was running 44 mph at 3100 rpm, gave it more throttle and got over it. I ran for about 20 minutes after that, no problems.

Is there something I should check or look into for damage on the outdrive or engine? Worried about the boat.

Thanks.

I would pull the block drain plugs to check for sand.

Did you wander out of the middle channel? Sounds like you found sand island. You're lucky you were able to plow through it; lots of boats have been grounded there and needed tows. I'd say you're probably okay; if you're really worried you could check the impellers to make sure the sand didn't chew them up.

Yes, I cut towards the Clinton River a little to sharply coming out of the middle channel.

:blaster:Yup, Sand Island......... Has taken out many this year

At the speed you were running, the chances of you sucking sand up into the motors is pretty slim - especially since you had enough water to stay on plane and power off. (If you'd actually ground to a halt, that would be another story.) The sand you saw getting kicked up behind you would have been disturbed more by your prop and skeg. The first thing I'd check for is damage in that area. I'm kind of surprised you didn't spin a hub on the prop - but that may rear its ugly head a bit later.

Yup! You've got to follow the channel buoys that curve to the north and then go around the shallow area. It is marked on chartplotters. If you have a low water pick-up you probably sucked up a lot of sand and your skeg probably needs to be buffed out. At least the bottom of Lake St. Clair is mainly sand and muck.