2003 hunter 386 took delivery July 3rd Propeller shaft / gear box coupling bolts backed out leaving boat without forward or reverse gear. I was lucky for this to happen at dealers marina when bringing it in for winter lay up. All bolts were laying in below geag box. Don't know why or what kind of damaged it could have done running with say just one bolt in. Still shocked and amazed. Another thing I got to check before going out.
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Happened to us also
Same thing on our 450. We were headed for an anchorage at Friday Harbor, slipped it into reverse to stop, and continued forward. Luckily we were going slowly and managed to toss out the anchor before hitting anything. We could only figure that the bolts weren't properly torqued at the factory. They weren't safety wired - just split lock washers.
Same thing on our 450. We were headed for an anchorage at Friday Harbor, slipped it into reverse to stop, and continued forward. Luckily we were going slowly and managed to toss out the anchor before hitting anything. We could only figure that the bolts weren't properly torqued at the factory. They weren't safety wired - just split lock washers.
Me Too!!
This also happened to us. We bought a new 320 2001 and our partner was just leaving the can on a windy day and you guessed it, no forward or reverse, just alot of bouncing off of other boats and heading for the sea wall. Luckily no damage and got rescued before hitting the wall. We always check before we go out. There was no wire. Can only think it was adjusted on the hard and once everything settled, then it went on it's own way!!
This also happened to us. We bought a new 320 2001 and our partner was just leaving the can on a windy day and you guessed it, no forward or reverse, just alot of bouncing off of other boats and heading for the sea wall. Luckily no damage and got rescued before hitting the wall. We always check before we go out. There was no wire. Can only think it was adjusted on the hard and once everything settled, then it went on it's own way!!
Broke engine mount ear on Flywheel cover
Yes, this seems to be a common problem. Apparently the task of aligning the propeller shaft and with the engine output shaft is the responsibility of the dealer. My new 376 was delivered and I ran the engine several times before encountering the extreme failure. Looks like all but one bolt (there are four on my coupling) fell out. The one was loose and the coupling took up the slack (similar to "gear lash") in one direction--so no problem. When I went to go in reverse, there was a loud noise and then mayhem. I went into neutral--no problem. Put back in gear and loud noises. Went back to neutral and then headed down below to check the engine. The flywheel cover is an aluminum casting and has an engine mount ear cast as part of it. That ear was broken off. Required a new cover. Dealer was very good at air freighting in a new one and replacing that weekend (Memorial Day) but they should have done the tightenign in the first place. Shaft was bent and they had to pull it and straighten it. Boat had to be pulled from water to do that. That was 6 years ago. You would think this problem would have been communicated to all dealers and ceased to be a problem. If the nuts are torqued properly, they will not back off. Wire is not a bad idea, but I have not had to do that. And believe me, I check these babies at least once a month. I take nothing for granted now. Always keep an eye out and look for problems--best way to prevent them.
Yes, this seems to be a common problem. Apparently the task of aligning the propeller shaft and with the engine output shaft is the responsibility of the dealer. My new 376 was delivered and I ran the engine several times before encountering the extreme failure. Looks like all but one bolt (there are four on my coupling) fell out. The one was loose and the coupling took up the slack (similar to "gear lash") in one direction--so no problem. When I went to go in reverse, there was a loud noise and then mayhem. I went into neutral--no problem. Put back in gear and loud noises. Went back to neutral and then headed down below to check the engine. The flywheel cover is an aluminum casting and has an engine mount ear cast as part of it. That ear was broken off. Required a new cover. Dealer was very good at air freighting in a new one and replacing that weekend (Memorial Day) but they should have done the tightenign in the first place. Shaft was bent and they had to pull it and straighten it. Boat had to be pulled from water to do that. That was 6 years ago. You would think this problem would have been communicated to all dealers and ceased to be a problem. If the nuts are torqued properly, they will not back off. Wire is not a bad idea, but I have not had to do that. And believe me, I check these babies at least once a month. I take nothing for granted now. Always keep an eye out and look for problems--best way to prevent them.
Ken, this problem goes back more than 6 years
On our H34 when the boat was a week old (1986), we were headed parallel to a low bridge so as to pass under the high center section. The tide was trying to take us under the bridge. It was flooding at 4 knots. The engine revved up and the boat speed dropped. We just coasted to the center section. A very quick inspection revealed a shaft not turning in its' coupling. After 45 seconds, I had tightened the two set bolts and we had power again. The boat had pinwheeled several times, down the narrow channel to our berth before regaining power and thus steerage. THE DEALER LEFT THE KEY OUT OF THE KEYWAY. The boat had to be hauled and a new shaft installed. We were 5 seconds from loosing the rig. Grrr. Oh, Hunter dropped the dealer. What a jerk!
On our H34 when the boat was a week old (1986), we were headed parallel to a low bridge so as to pass under the high center section. The tide was trying to take us under the bridge. It was flooding at 4 knots. The engine revved up and the boat speed dropped. We just coasted to the center section. A very quick inspection revealed a shaft not turning in its' coupling. After 45 seconds, I had tightened the two set bolts and we had power again. The boat had pinwheeled several times, down the narrow channel to our berth before regaining power and thus steerage. THE DEALER LEFT THE KEY OUT OF THE KEYWAY. The boat had to be hauled and a new shaft installed. We were 5 seconds from loosing the rig. Grrr. Oh, Hunter dropped the dealer. What a jerk!
Check Them Frequently
This problem will crop up on any boat with an inboard diesel (maybe except with a saildrive.) I think you will find that in many cases the location is so inconvenient to reach that it is hard to get a good torque on the bolts. My P42 does not have a good access unless you take out the lower battery (8D) and then it is awkward. I put in a PSS Shaft Saver last winter and it came with 8 stainless steel bolts with the plastic stalock inserts. So far so good after 150 hours but I still check them every day before leaving the dock. Make it a regular check, just like pulling the dipstick.
This problem will crop up on any boat with an inboard diesel (maybe except with a saildrive.) I think you will find that in many cases the location is so inconvenient to reach that it is hard to get a good torque on the bolts. My P42 does not have a good access unless you take out the lower battery (8D) and then it is awkward. I put in a PSS Shaft Saver last winter and it came with 8 stainless steel bolts with the plastic stalock inserts. So far so good after 150 hours but I still check them every day before leaving the dock. Make it a regular check, just like pulling the dipstick.
Our bolts are safety wired. I would get bolts...
with safety wire holes, or if you have access to a drill press, drill the holes yourself. Either way you need some way to lock them. Terry
with safety wire holes, or if you have access to a drill press, drill the holes yourself. Either way you need some way to lock them. Terry
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