Where Did My Drive Shaft Go?

jhalb · Post by **jhalb** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:16 am

I was coming back from my 4th of July trip, upset that my AC quit, and felt a small vibration. I was running about 2800 rpm's and pulled it back a little. Then I felt a bang a thought I hit a underwater log. I lost power on my port side. I opened my hatch and found no drive shaft and water coming in the shaft hole. I found a rag and used my grab pole to slow the flow. Used the port engin's intake to help remove the water. I was about 15 miles from my marine and was able to make it back on the starboard motor. When we lifted the boat up my shaft and prop were there, only out about a foot, almost touching the rudder. There wasn't any damage to the prop and doesn't look like I hit anything. My machanic is going to see what happened.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:31 am

Ouch!

Alton pool?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:43 am

first lets assume the shaft did not break .

Then one thing for sure the shaft came lose in the coupler . the push from the prop kept it there . now when you slowed down , you A) hit something or B) slowed down fast enough to put drag on the prop for it to pull out while the boat still had some momentum . C) you put it in reverse .

Now if the shaft did break at coupler . then it is most likely do to a alignment issue . ( 99% )

jhalb · Post by **jhalb** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:00 am

rossjo wrote:Ouch!

Alton pool?

Yes, Alton had a great fireworks display on the 3erd.

jhalb · Post by **jhalb** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:07 am

prowlersfish wrote:first lets assume the shaft did not break .

Then one thing for sure the shaft came lose in the coupler . the push from the prop kept it there . now when you slowed down , you A) hit something or B) slowed down fast enough to put drag on the prop for it to pull out while the boat still had some momentum . C) you put it in reverse .

Now if the shaft did break at coupler . then it is most likely do to a alignment issue . ( 99% )

B would be it. I was feeling a vibration about 2400 rpm's and it wet away at 2800. When the vibration started at 28oo I pulled pack and thats when I\it sounded like i hit the log.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 7:42 pm

Along with being the best place to put them for corrosion protection, shaft anodes fastened about 1/2 inch away from the strut helps keep the shaft in place should it separate from the coupler or the coupler separate from the flange. It won't keep everything in place for long at high rpm but once something backs out, it will hold things in place long enough to let you know through vibration that there is something wrong, throttle back, and limp back home. At least you won't sink the boat though

Glad you made it back safely. Some quick thinking helped you there!

Inspect and determine what caused this so it doesn't happen again.

jddens · Post by **jddens** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 11:39 pm

Excellent point Big D....not sure where mine are mounted on the shafts but you can bet next time she's hauled they will be 1/2 inch from the strut....thanks..........John

Mike Kulp · Post by **Mike Kulp** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 1:50 pm

Thats a great tip Big D, mine are about two inches away but I will be changing that this winter.

EM63 · Post by **EM63** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 5:23 pm

+1 @ Big D

--
Greetings - Heiner

jhalb · Post by **jhalb** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 5:34 pm

Good news, two set screws, drive shaft set key and a little work on my props. She's back in the water already. It looks like I did hit a log afer all and every thing worked the way it should. I am having the anodes moved closer to the strut.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:23 am

Glad you didn't lose the shaft/prop.

Heck - you'll be at he loading dock tonight!