sun pads

[mjk1040]

Tough one. Since you said a visual inspection of the propulsion system shoed no noticeable prop or shaft issue. Are we dealing with gas or diesel engines? A slight tweak of a prop fin could be the cause. Since your out of the water, maybe a prop check for balance is in order? Maybe more info could help.

[bud37]

If you can get to your boat,I know ,I know..... a simple check might be done with a few blocks of wood.....put up to the prop blades almost touching and then turn the shaft to see if there is any large differences in the prop blades. That will at least give you an idea....there are more accurate ways but its a start and easy......have a look at the prop nuts while there......good luck man

[mjk1040]

OK, double check the prop. Also take a look at the transmission coupler, make sure nothing there looks loose. I'm leaning toward the starboard prop took a hit enough to put it out of balance. Just for shits and giggles, run that engine up in idle, if no vibration, has to be from the transmission and outward. Shaft anode wore out of round?

[Viper]

Do what you have to do while she's still out of the water or you'll be paying for a haul out during the season. Get the marina to dial the shafts, and remove your props and send them in to get scanned. You can't see minor problems that are big enough to cause vibrations just by looking at the hardware. Check the shaft alignment through the strut bearings and the shaft tube through the hull. That's pretty much all you can do on the hard. When back in the water, you'll at least know that everything on the outside is okay. Then it's a matter of checking engine alignment. If all that checks out, you could have an engine run-ability issue.

[bud37]

Qr Bbpost Great suggestions folks, much appreciated.

So if I stern'ed in a little shallow at my favorite anchorage (sand bottom) last season and the boat bottomed out whats the first to give the props or shafts?

So I hear you sayin that you have a feeling of what happened.......I don't know what would give first, hard to say depends on how the loading took place.....regardless ,Imo ,in this case you are going to have to bite the bullet and have some testing done ( both sides based on what you said to be sure ) before your boat goes back in.Then you will know for sure and can have a relaxing summer...good luck man.....

[mjk1040]

Start with the props at a good prop shop. I'm thinking you tweaked a prop fin some. There is static balance and dynamic balance. Static is the less expensive test and the dynamic test is more expensive an more precise for balancing props.

[bud37]

Qr Bbpost Thanks Bud 37...I'm not convinced I hit anything, I'm just trying to figure out what may have happened. Since I often anchor near a sand bottom beach, I was thinking that maybe I bottomed out on a big roller or something, but again there is no visible damage.

Sounds like I'm forced to get the props and shafts tested for trueness, and check transmission and engine alignment .

I'll report back

In all honesty, it could just be as simple as a plug wire.but will be good to cross some stuff of the list, that way as has been mentioned it will be proactive, won't hurt to have the props scanned ,polished and tweaked if needed...they come back looking like wall art . ...

[km1125]

I don't know about up there, but the prop shops around here will scan the prop for free. Taking it off and getting it to the shop is the hardest part! What's nice though is then you also have documented your props, so if you do damage one in the future, they can bring it back to those specs (or better) when it's in for repair instead of guessing and putting it back to stock.

Checking the shaft is pretty easy to do on the boat if you have a run-out gauge.

[Viper]

Qr Bbpost I don't know about up there, but .....

Same here with the shops that I deal with. Free "Prop Scan" and estimate for repair.

[Viper]

There's a lot that needs to be checked here, even loose coupler and engine mount bolts will cause the symptom or warped coupler or tranny flange. Given that launch is just around the corner, I'd get on this quick and have the running gear checked as I mentioned above. Prop shop and marina work loads will be ramping up shortly, then you'll need to get on a waiting list. United Propeller and Kawartha Propeller are the go-to shops around Simcoe and surrounding regions. I use United mostly, they know their stuff, will give you a free estimate, and the results of the Prop Scan (graph). You can have your marina remove the props for you to pick up and take in, or have them do that. Either way, if the marina is a respectable one and only charges you the suggested list for the repair, you'll pay the same whether they take them in or you do.

What marina do you keep her at?