One second you’re cruising. The next, your hull kisses bottom and everything lurches to a stop. Welcome to boating in South Florida — where the sand moves, the channels shift, and even seasoned captains get caught off guard. Running aground happens, but what you do next determines if it's a story or a headache.
Kill the Engine, Take a Beat
Your first instinct might be to throttle out. Don’t. That’s how props get shredded and gearcases crack. Turn off the motor, drop anchor if you’re drifting, and figure out what you’ve hit. Sandbar? Mud? Rocks? Rising tide or falling? Every answer shapes your next move.
- Shut down the engine to prevent sucking in debris
- Feel out the bottom with a paddle or pole
- Check for obvious leaks or odd sounds
If you’re lightly beached and the tide’s on its way up, you might float off soon. But if you’re hard stuck or on anything sharp, forcing it usually makes things worse. This is the part where a little patience saves a lot of fiberglass.
Once You’re Free, Don’t Assume You’re Fine
You got off the bar, the motor starts, and things seem okay — but you can’t see what’s below the waterline. Hull dings, shaft damage, or a knocked-out alignment won’t always show right away. You’ll notice it later when your ride gets rough or your engine starts to vibrate like a washing machine on spin cycle.
- Check for soft spots or flex near the impact point
- Look for stress cracks around the transom or through-hulls
- Pay attention to steering feel and throttle response
Many post-grounding issues creep up slow. That’s why the smart move is getting it looked at now, not after something fails offshore.
The Prop and Lower Unit Take the Hit
Most groundings end in propeller trauma — and the scars aren’t always visible. Slight bends can throw off the balance and wear down your bearings. Even worse, a tiny crack in the lower unit case can lead to water intrusion, which trashes your gears over time.
- Spin the prop — any wobble or resistance is a red flag
- Check for gear oil leaks around the prop shaft
- If available, do a pressure test on the gearcase
Just because it still spins doesn’t mean it’s good. Damaged lower units are one of the top reasons Miami boats get sidelined. A quick check now could save you a full rebuild later.
Impact Can Rattle Electrical Too
Not every hit damages the hull — sometimes it knocks something loose in your wiring. Batteries shift, terminals crack, connections jiggle free. If your trim tabs start acting weird or your nav lights flicker, that’s your boat telling you something got knocked out of alignment.
- Test your bilge, nav lights, and electronics as soon as you're free
- Open the battery compartment — check for movement or acid leaks
- Cycle your trim and steering systems to make sure they’re smooth
Minor issues like this can compound fast. If something electrical seems off, it’s better to track it down early than chase gremlins later in open water.
Going Through Insurance? Document Everything
If you’re planning on filing a claim, get your ducks in a row. Time, place, photos, depth readings — all of it helps. Don’t wait until you’re on the phone with an adjuster to remember where it happened or how bad it really was.
- Photograph damage from every angle — before and after cleanup
- Note your GPS location and time of day
- Record water conditions and take note of any witnesses
Most insurers will ask for a certified inspection anyway, so having a mobile mechanic on call is the fastest way to get back to boating without red tape delays.
When in Doubt, Get It Checked
You may feel fine. The boat may feel fine. But unless you’ve been underneath it, you’re just guessing. Post-grounding inspections aren’t overkill — they’re insurance. Not the kind you file, but the kind that tells you the next ride won’t end the same way.
At Boat Repair Miami, we come to you. If you’ve run aground in Biscayne Bay or anywhere in the Intracoastal, we’ll assess the damage right at your dock or slip. No waiting on haul-outs or guessing if you’re good to go. We’ll check your hull, lower unit, alignment, and systems so you can get back to the water with peace of mind. If you’re dealing with fiberglass scrapes or cracks, our fiberglass repair experts can handle the job. For engine trouble after a grounding, our engine repair team will make sure everything is running right. If you notice any odd smells or leaks, it could be a sign of a bigger problem—strange boat smells are worth checking out. And if you want to keep your boat in top shape all year, our year-round boat maintenance covers everything from the hull to the engine.
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