MaddyDean
New Member
- Nov 25, 2009
- 545
- Boat Info
- 280 Sundancer, 1991
- Engines
- Twin 5.7 Mercruisers w/alpha drives
Hi All
I will try to be brief and to the point: The Issue
Before you do, full disclosure, at the beginning of the season before splash-down, I had DE-winterized with the rabbit ears and at that time I noticed that even though I was able to start the port engine, the prop was spinning very slowly. After moving the throttle back and fourth it stopped. I had called my marina mechanic to check and make adjustments--they did and all seemed fine until this weekend.
They never made any adjustments in the water, only on dry. I am being told by others that the only real way to adjust is in the water.
Could this be a, fingers crossed, simple adjustment?
Many thanks for any insight.
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/44405-drive-slips-out-of-gear-at-high-RPM?highlight=spun+prop
I will try to be brief and to the point: The Issue
- Went out on Saturday and in the middle of the bay we stopped to watch the sailboat race--While idling, I heard a very faint clunk, clunk clunk coming from the port side out-drive.
- I shifted the throttle back and forth--seemed to be having a hard time finding neutral--and clunking went away.
- We than proceeded and powered up both engines--Heard the noise louder this time and the boat was just about on plain when I backed off.
- I then powered up the starboard side and did not hear the noise
- I then powered up the port side and heard the noise and immediately backed off.
- I did notice a noticeable difference in the prop wash--starboard side looked normal, but the port side seemed aerated and had no thrust.
- I came back to home on one engine
- At home-port I raised the out-drives (Trailer switch) and looked for barnacle, there were one or two small growths on each prop and nothing on the drives themselves.
- I put the Port side in gear (counter rotation) and could not turn it by hand forward but could go backward
- I did the same with the starboard side and had the same experience.
- I did not try to forcefully turn the drives.
Before you do, full disclosure, at the beginning of the season before splash-down, I had DE-winterized with the rabbit ears and at that time I noticed that even though I was able to start the port engine, the prop was spinning very slowly. After moving the throttle back and fourth it stopped. I had called my marina mechanic to check and make adjustments--they did and all seemed fine until this weekend.
They never made any adjustments in the water, only on dry. I am being told by others that the only real way to adjust is in the water.
Could this be a, fingers crossed, simple adjustment?
Many thanks for any insight.
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/44405-drive-slips-out-of-gear-at-high-RPM?highlight=spun+prop