bsangs
E35-3 - New Jersey
We haven't been out since late June, because, well, life. But we were finally set to go this past weekend, so I decided to run the engine at the dock for a bit, just to make sure all the routine work I'd done the past 1-1/2 months was completed properly. Spun her up to operating temp, all was well, and while tied up decided to put her into gear - which I never normally do. While in idle, shifted into forward and was greeted with the most hellacious vibrating I've ever experienced. Dropped back down to neutral, then in reverse and it was fine. Forward again, the vibrating immediately returned. Upped the RPMs and it ceased. Back to idle - teeth-chattering. Needless to say we weren't going out, so I set about diagnosing what could be happening.
It exhibited all the signs of a slipping transmission cone clutch, which is easy enough for a pro to fix, but would have meant a late-season hauling out, and God knows how long for someone to be able to get to it, as my yard is pretty busy right now. Before heading down that path, I asked my dock neighbor friend - who happens to be the marina's diver - if he'd take a look at the feathering prop, shaft, zincs and cutlass bearing, so I could eliminate them as potential causes. When he was done, he told me everything was fine, however he had to clear off a lot of growth from the prop. Now, we're not usually in the slip during August, that's normally when we'd be somewhere up the Long Island Sound, in Block Island, or out to Martha's Vineyard. And August is THE month for copious amounts of growth in my marina. Still, I didn't expect it was the solution, since when in reverse, there was no issue with vibrating. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Fired her up, moved the transmission into forward, and wouldn't you know it, all was well. Kept at it for about 15 minutes just to be certain, and the vibration never returned. It was clearly the prop growth causing the issue. So yeah, just another reminder to check the simple things first, before heading down a costly rabbit hole that wouldn't have been necessary. Finally will get back on the water this weekend, hopefully.
It exhibited all the signs of a slipping transmission cone clutch, which is easy enough for a pro to fix, but would have meant a late-season hauling out, and God knows how long for someone to be able to get to it, as my yard is pretty busy right now. Before heading down that path, I asked my dock neighbor friend - who happens to be the marina's diver - if he'd take a look at the feathering prop, shaft, zincs and cutlass bearing, so I could eliminate them as potential causes. When he was done, he told me everything was fine, however he had to clear off a lot of growth from the prop. Now, we're not usually in the slip during August, that's normally when we'd be somewhere up the Long Island Sound, in Block Island, or out to Martha's Vineyard. And August is THE month for copious amounts of growth in my marina. Still, I didn't expect it was the solution, since when in reverse, there was no issue with vibrating. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Fired her up, moved the transmission into forward, and wouldn't you know it, all was well. Kept at it for about 15 minutes just to be certain, and the vibration never returned. It was clearly the prop growth causing the issue. So yeah, just another reminder to check the simple things first, before heading down a costly rabbit hole that wouldn't have been necessary. Finally will get back on the water this weekend, hopefully.
