Claims
Propeller impact and drivetrain damage
| Component | Typical damage | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Propeller | Bent, chipped or thrown blade | Cheapest item; causes vibration that damages everything else |
| Shaft | Bent, sometimes only a fraction of a millimetre | Enough to destroy bearings and seals within hours of running |
| Cutless bearing | Worn or spun in its housing | Rapid wear once the shaft is out of true |
| Shaft seal or stern gland | Displaced or damaged | A sinking risk, not a repair item |
| Coupling and gearbox | Splines, output shaft, thrust bearing | The expensive end of the claim |
| Engine mounts | Compressed or torn | Causes alignment to go out again after repair |
| Saildrive leg | Cracked casing, damaged seals | Often results in the whole leg being condemned |
Stopping the engine after a propeller strike
The most costly decision after a strike is motoring home on a bent shaft. A few hours of vibration can turn a propeller and shaft claim into a gearbox, bearing and mount claim — and the insurer may well treat the additional damage as a failure to take reasonable steps to prevent further loss, which is a policy condition. If the boat is a sailing boat, sail it or call for a tow.
Evidence of an underwater impact
- Record time, position, depth and what was struck, from the plotter if possible.
- Note the vibration, the noise and the engine behaviour immediately after.
- Photograph the fouled or damaged gear underwater or at the lift.
- Shut the engine down and arrange a tow rather than running it home.
- Have the shaft checked for run-out on removal and get the measurement in writing.
- Keep the damaged propeller and shaft.
Propeller claim exclusions
- Mechanical breakdown exclusions, which can be argued against the gearbox even when the strike caused it.
- Depreciation applied to a propeller or leg on an older boat.
- Machinery damage sub-limits that sit below the hull sum insured.
- Whether the shaft seal and cutless bearing are treated as consumables.
- Saildrive diaphragm age, which is a maintenance item with a stated service life on most legs.
Read the wording before you need it
Almost every disputed marine claim turns on a definition, an exclusion or a condition the owner had never read. The PDS guide explains which sections decide claims.
Related guides
- Boat Insurance Claims Australia: Incidents and Disputes
- Engine and Machinery Insurance Claims Australia
- Saildrive Failure Insurance Claims
- Grounding Boat Insurance Claims Australia
- Boat Insurance Exclusions Explained
- Product Disclosure Statement Guide for Boat Insurance
General information onlyThe information on sailboatinsurance.com.au is general educational information only. It may be wrong, incomplete or out of date, and you should not rely on it as a substitute for the current policy documents or professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs and is not personal financial product advice. Insurance cover depends on the actual policy wording, Product Disclosure Statement, certificate of insurance, endorsements, exclusions, limits, sub-limits and underwriting decisions that apply to your vessel. Always read the current policy documents before buying, renewing or changing cover. For legal, financial or insurance advice about your own circumstances, consider speaking with an appropriately licensed professional.