Well it happened. Never thought it would. Just wierd.

After a day of fishing northern end of pepin, I decide to make a run down to the lower end. On the way I hit what I assume a submerged floating log, never saw it. A big thug and crackly pop and I was thrown against the steering wheel. I stopped and the motor was still running, looked back and my motor was tilted up about 45 degrees, not a log to be seen. I shut the motor off and tilt it up fully to see a small impact dent on the nose cone and a small bent on the prop tip. Hmm doesn't look bad, so I thought, I started her up, once on plane I couldn't go faster than 35mph. Come to find out my trim & tilt is messed up. Blown seal or something from the impact. Called it a day amd headed back to the launch and couldn't trim or lift the motor to put my trim bar on. Waited around for about 2hrs till another angler showed up to launch and helped me lift this heavy near 600lbs up. Big thanks to our fellow anglers. So I headed home mad and heart broken. I got home, decide to take the lower unit off for inspection. I had set it on the ground on the driveway next to the motor while I left to run an 2hr erin. Knowing my 13yr old nephew was outside mowing the lawn, I figured it'd be ok. When I got back, the lower unit and prop was gone. Ask the boy, he said he left shortly after I did and was still there when he was still there. I looked around in confusion hoping to see it lying around somewhere.

Now I have a messed up trim and a missing lower unit. I'd like people to keep a ear out if they hear of anyone trying to sell a lower unit or prop that has slight damage. I realize the chance of finding it is slim to none but it's worth a shot to mention it. A new lower unit is $3k and a prop is $600. I have reported it to the authorities. So now all I can do is wait and hope for the best.

Wow, that is unbelievable !!! I feel really sorry for you, it is horrible.

Do a search on Ebay you'll find many lower units that will fit your motor then decide which way you want to go.
In the meantime keep watching Craigslist and Ebay too for yours.

That's a real kick to the crotch! Sorry

Will your homeowners policy cover this under theft? Seems it should. How about some funds from the boat insurance also? I would check out your insurance companies as you may have the coverage.

Sorry to hear about a bad day getting worse. Good luck!

Let us know the brand of motor, year, and size, we might be able to look out for it.

That's absolutely incredible.

Post the brand name, HP, and year of the motor if you like. That way we can keep an eye open.

I've submitted a claim to my insurance so now it's just a waiting game by the claim adjuster guy. My motor is a '04 Yamaha Vmax 300 HPDI. The prop is a Yamaha 27" pitch x 15 1/8" dia, commonly known as a 27T1 prop.