Gents, I was sailing the other day in my newly purchased '79 O'Day 37 with a Perkins 4-108. I went into the aft cabin and heard a mechanical sound. I discovered that the drive shaft was spinning. I tried putting in all gears but the shaft kept turning. It works fine under motor, and I tried to put it in reverse without way and then started sailing. The shaft started spinning. Are the clutches gone? How do I repair that? Should I put vice grips on the shaft to stop it from spinning during sailing to save wear on the trannie? Can it wait until the fall? Thank you, Dick
O'Day 37
- Thread starter Flying Wasp II
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37
Dick I own an 82 O'Day 37. I never heard a noise that was really disturbing. However, there always is certain amount of shaft turning as the boat moves throught the water. the water helps to lubricate the shaft. I'm not sure how much turning you are experiencing; but you must expect a certian amount of turning. it is possible that it is normal. I'd aks some other sailors to check it out with you to get a better idea. Hope this helps, anthony
Dick I own an 82 O'Day 37. I never heard a noise that was really disturbing. However, there always is certain amount of shaft turning as the boat moves throught the water. the water helps to lubricate the shaft. I'm not sure how much turning you are experiencing; but you must expect a certian amount of turning. it is possible that it is normal. I'd aks some other sailors to check it out with you to get a better idea. Hope this helps, anthony
Caution on vice grips
If you had to do an emergency start-up and avoidance procedure, the vice grips could possibly cause severe damage to the hull and surrounding area if they were attached to the shaft. Always be ready for the unexpected.
If you had to do an emergency start-up and avoidance procedure, the vice grips could possibly cause severe damage to the hull and surrounding area if they were attached to the shaft. Always be ready for the unexpected.
Thanks Anthony!
Anthony, The spinning seems normal and the sound doesn't sound "bad". I just thought you were supposed to lock the prop by putting the trannie in reverse during sailing. From what I've read so far it depends on your particular transmission. The previous owner said he sailed in neutral for the past four years, no problems. What gear do you sail in? Dick
Anthony, The spinning seems normal and the sound doesn't sound "bad". I just thought you were supposed to lock the prop by putting the trannie in reverse during sailing. From what I've read so far it depends on your particular transmission. The previous owner said he sailed in neutral for the past four years, no problems. What gear do you sail in? Dick
Free wheeling drive shaft
Good comments by all. What does the supplier say? Free wheeling (no strain on the drive shaft) shoud yield little wear- JC
Good comments by all. What does the supplier say? Free wheeling (no strain on the drive shaft) shoud yield little wear- JC
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