Been fishing Ray Roberts since it opened in 1987. There is something about that lake that is harder on boats than any other lake to me. I think it is a combination of big level swings, my familiarity, (to be honest) my impatience, and one time I hit once of those metal fence posts in Indian flats in my Dads boat and busted my lip on the windshield ..that was a long time ago. Over the last 25 years I have busted lower units and put numerous holes/gouges in my boat. Now I fished Fork and Falcon many many times also and not had the same issues. Yesterday evening while cruising in Indian I spun a prop hub (caught a stump perfect with prop). First time in my 45 years of fishing. It happened about 5pm and no boats in sight (most of the boats had gone in to get their TTT registration done). Fortunately I just purchased 2 new AGM batteries. Those and the 18 year old TM (and 3 hours) got me back to buck. There were a couple of nice folks on the railroad that offered to tow me but I only had 30 minutes to go ...thanks to them.. I was very impressed that my merc prop had a sacrificial plastic hub insert that failed. When I took it off the next morning it was only a 10 minute and $20 job (after a quick trip to fun-n-sun). Great design. Bought a extra hub for boat as this job could be done on the water if needed. Oh well, if you fish a lot things are bound to happen. At least it was a very pleasant 3 hours to reflect. Here is a video of that quick hub job and a photo of my failed part. http://youtu.be/2-lhtReopcI

You know i carry a extra with me. but man i hate getting out and changing it. I have done it too many times to count.

I've been saying the same thing recently while everybody else acts like Roberts is easy to navigate, but I do something to my boat every time on that lake. And it's not like it's the same thing or the same area. It's a variety of mishaps all over the lake. I wish I felt more comfortable boating it, because it should be my home lake, but I'm always nervous out there.

Sorry to hear....everything you referred to is right on the head! Been there done that also from Indian to Buck... Had a boat come by us and hardly looked our way and I could hit'em with a short cast.....I still rember their Tx number! I too carry a spare hub... Have had to use it once at a tournament!

Glad you made it....
Good fishin'

I knocked off a h-bird SI transducer today wasn't paying attention while idling and smacked a tree that I had purposely idled around 3 times already.

Had the same problem on Fork a few years ago and now carry a spare hub. Sure hope I don't have to change it on the water.

Knocked 3 big chips out of my skag Friday. I hate that lake. Year before it was a new lower unit

I wish I could use that hub but I have the fat shaft that wont give you going to rip something to pieces if you hit something.