Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

I frequently camp 20-50 miles from the trailer. Prior to getting my 2015 T23, I had an I/O and had to swap that prop twice over the years with the boat on the water in a remote location. Not too big a deal with an I/O as you can back the boat up to the beach and raise it so it's halfway out of the water. However, it's just a matter of time before I ding up this prop given how I use the boat. I have yet to change the prop even on the trailer but I'm curious if anyone has done it underwater in 2-3 feet of water. I routinely carry a mask for clearing ropes from the prop (so far only had to do that once) so I wouldn't be blind, but I'd be working down there 15-30 seconds at a time. Has anyone done this? Any tips? What would you wedge the 2x4 against-the boat or the ground? Better to limp it 30 miles back to the marina on a damaged prop or is this worth a try? I'm assuming the harmonic puller is out as it is too hard to swing a hammer underwater so I guess I'll pony up for the C arm.

Also, does anyone remember what the high altitude prop for 2015 T23s was? Was it the 2247? I'm thinking about making my second prop a 2315 for when I go to the local high altitude reservoirs to surf.

In the rivers we run in it would prove to be very difficult since visibility is literally just a few inches. It would probably be faster to go put it on the trailer and swap it than it would be to swap it underwater, my main concern would be losing the damn prop shaft key. But if you did, you def would need a C-clamp prop puller. Remove the swim platform. Wedge the 2x4 between the prop and the hull, it wont hurt anything.

I've done it may times. My technique is not simple and requires some decent breathing control!

You need: thin rope, swimming/diving goggles with or without nose part, snorkel, food grade extender tube for snorkel.

First thing: tie a thin rope to everything you can: prop, c-clamp, spanner.

Extend your snorkel with the tube to desired length, attach it to your boat over the waterline.

Spend loads of time underwater learning to breath IN WITH YOUR MOUTH - OUT THROUGH YOUR NOSE.......why? If you extend your snorkel and breathe normally the CO2 builds up IN the tube, because your lung volume does not fully expel all the used air while exhaling!!!!!!! this is important, if you don't do this, this technique is potentially lethal!!!! as you could become senseless and drown.

Once you've mastered this, it's also a good way to clean your hull.
Have fun - BE SAFE - have friend there with you in the water!!

Remember that inboards (not all i think, but most) have this little piece of metal between shaft and prop that will fall out!! do it in shallow water.
This technique does not allow you to dive much deeper than 16-18 inches due to the water pressure

I would buy extra prop keys, nuts and cotter pins and have a bunch on hand if I were going to attempt this in the water. this way if you get the prop off at least you have the required parts to lock the new one back into place.

Agreed with admin!!

Sent from my E6853 using Tapatalk

Taking the swim platform off is a good idea, hadn't thought about that. The way I'm envisioning this is to back it up to the beach about as far as I can without running the prop into the sand. Then putting a bathmat down underneath it to catch anything I drop. So I'm basically sitting on my butt on the bottom working. The rope is a good idea though for the wrench and C clamp. I can't imagine I'd lose a prop in 3 feet of water. I would have an extra nut and key. Maybe I'll buy a couple of extra nuts and practice a few times on the trailer in the driveway.

The snorkel idea is intriguing though. Can you post a picture or a link to a picture of the tube you're talking about?

So I swapped out my prop for the first time. No way I could have ever done that underwater. Even with the C clamp you still have to whack it with a hammer. A lot. Maybe 200 times. I put a little grease on the new prop so hopefully it's easier next time. But still, no way underwater if it is anywhere near as stuck on as that.

Well, it happened. I ran into a sand bar 50 miles from the marina. The boat still ran okay, but with a pretty good vibration from a very slightly out of tune prop. I decided to give it a try, underwater.

We had a garden hose. That worked fine at 6 inches under water, but not 3 feet under water- the pressure collapses the hose. So I had to ditch that.

I ended up doing thirty+ 30-60 second dives to get it all done. A couple of tips:

1) The 1X4 board I used floats up underwater. If you lose it, it's stuck against the bottom of the boat. Much harder to keep it wedged in there when gravity can't help you.
2) Have a couple of people hold the boat in about 4 feet of water. The ideal depth has you sitting on the bottom working on it. Come in from the sides, not the back. It's a shorter distance.
3) Measure the crescent wrench on your spare nut, so you're not futzing with it underwater.
4) After you initially loosen it with the board in place, just put the wrench on the prop and turn the prop to get it the rest of the way off. Much faster.
5) Make sure the key is at 12:00 before taking off the prop. Hard to feel, but easy to see, even in murky water if you get your face right up to it. It'll stay on that way. It would be very easy to drop 1 or even 2 keys underwater and no way you can tie anything to them.
6) Throw a pair of thin nitrile gloves into the kit with your mask to protect your hands from the sharp blades on the prop.
7) Put your prop on with a little grease so you can get it off with only the extractor and wrench. You won't be able to swing the hammer underwater.
8) Practice in the driveway. You don't want the first time to be under water.