Propeller shaft slippage

[connie]

We have the M-25XP and have encountered slippage in the propeller shaft. The engine runs fine, but the rotation of the propeller is off and the boat has no push.

 

[Richard4728]

Transmission

Could be from sailing without having the shift lever in reverse.....Had same problem with mine. Make sure you check first: gear linkage engagement and make sure your prop is clean; barnacles have the same effect. If those are good then, maybe the clutch plate is glazed, if so you will probably need to pull tranny. If you pull it, might as will rebuild it, depending on its age. Check cutlass bearing while your at it.More information would be helpful.

 

[Connie]

Reply to Richard

The prop. is clear. Tell me about the Cutless bearing. The problem lies in the forward gear. It is engaged, the prop. is rotating but when you cob the power there is little forward motion. The engine revs. but she does not move much.

 

[Richard]

Slippage

The cutlass bearing is a separate project, something to look at when you haul. You can tell if the tranny is slipping by looking at the shaft thru the aft engine access door. Have someone rev the engine(in forward) while your looking at it. You'll be able to tell if the shaft doesn't keep up with the engine revs.

 

[Todd (SV Windwalker)]

It's probably your Tranny

My freind had the same issue. The clutch slip plates are going south (& will continue to do so). A mechanic told my freinds that the tranny Universal used in the M-25s is too small & they don't hold up. Their solution was to trade in the tranny for a rebuilt one (same size).

 

[Gaspare]

PROP

I had a similar problem. My boat was losing speed slowly, over time. It turned out to be years and years of bottom paint on the prop. Someone suggested the prop might be cavitating. It was true. After stripping off all the paint this spring I picked up almost a knot!