I got underway yesterday for Annapolis. Only an hour after leaving the dock (in no wind) we heard a rhythmic scratching and thunking sound. It truly sounded like I snagged a fishing line and the lure was banging around. The sound vanished after about 15 seconds. We checked the engine compartment, ran the throttle up and down and noticed no change in performance. About a half hour later, it did the same thing, this time, the thunk sounded metallic. I crawled back along the engine and noticed the prop shaft turning slower and slower. Shifting gears and the prop no longer turned with the engine in any gear. So we somehow drift sailed, and got into Fort Washington to tie up and weigh options. No diesel mechanics are available in the area for at least ten days. After slowly swinging the boat by lines out of the slip we used the 2 hp dinghy outboard clamped to the ladder to get back into the river, then slowly worked our way back to our home slip, 6 miles up the river. Add in one squall and finally, 10 hours after leaving home, we are back.
Now to the issue at hand. What the heck happened? My thoughts are that the damper plate failed and the engine is no longer turning the transmission. Is this a job that I can tackle? Or is it time to make the payments on a diesel mechanic's boat/house/rv?
Now to the issue at hand. What the heck happened? My thoughts are that the damper plate failed and the engine is no longer turning the transmission. Is this a job that I can tackle? Or is it time to make the payments on a diesel mechanic's boat/house/rv?