Anybody got an idea about this? Motoring today I heard a sort of bumping or rumpling from beneath the cockpit. It sounded like the rudder hit something, but it was very high tide and unless it was an errant fish... Then a little further on, the sound again. Meanwhile the speed over ground remained perfectly constant at the same rpm. There was no "feel" of engine studder or power waivering. It happened a few more times. I tried the rudder back and forth and it was tight and responsive. I even put in the emergency rudder to see if there was play between it and the wheel. None. At the dock, while tied up, I put the motor in gear forward and worked the wheel and there was a subtle repetition of the bumping. I tried running at high rpm in neutral...no bumping. It does not seem to be the engine at all. Any ideas?
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check you zinc
Check you zinc could be loose on the shaft or worn ou and spinning on the shaft.When did you replace it last? Good Luck!
Check you zinc could be loose on the shaft or worn ou and spinning on the shaft.When did you replace it last? Good Luck!
Cutlass Bearing
You may be experiencing the initial wobble of your propeller shaft from a worn cutlass bearing. I just had mine replaced by a diver while my boat remained in the water. More expensive then if it was hauled out but I'm not planning that for another 8 months so the added expense was worth it. If you don't replace your cutlass when you should then you can cause other failures as the coupler which is even more expensive and tuff to find a new one.
You may be experiencing the initial wobble of your propeller shaft from a worn cutlass bearing. I just had mine replaced by a diver while my boat remained in the water. More expensive then if it was hauled out but I'm not planning that for another 8 months so the added expense was worth it. If you don't replace your cutlass when you should then you can cause other failures as the coupler which is even more expensive and tuff to find a new one.
update
This is a 2002 model 306. The zincs were inspected by a diver last week, coincidentally, and he reported that there were two and that they were in like new condition. Should a cutlass bearing be wearing out on a new boat?
This is a 2002 model 306. The zincs were inspected by a diver last week, coincidentally, and he reported that there were two and that they were in like new condition. Should a cutlass bearing be wearing out on a new boat?
Check Motor mounts
You might want to check the motor mounts. On a new boat they need to be checked after about 50 hours. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
You might want to check the motor mounts. On a new boat they need to be checked after about 50 hours. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Dealer item!
Mike: I would take this back to a dealer for inspection. Have them check out the entire drive train and rudder assy. The problem here is that it only happened a couple of times. Finding something like this may be a real problem until it happens all the time.
Mike: I would take this back to a dealer for inspection. Have them check out the entire drive train and rudder assy. The problem here is that it only happened a couple of times. Finding something like this may be a real problem until it happens all the time.
My bet is alagnment ----
My guess, based on what you've posted is that the prop shaft is bumping the hull lightly, so that under specific and often hard to duplicate conditions it will bump occasionally. In my case a side current or similar conditions where the governor called for more power momentarily, just enough to make the engine move or shake just the smallest little bit. The entire strut/shaft/enging system has to be aligned as a complete system, centering the shaft in the opening. Doing so took care of the problem in my case.
My guess, based on what you've posted is that the prop shaft is bumping the hull lightly, so that under specific and often hard to duplicate conditions it will bump occasionally. In my case a side current or similar conditions where the governor called for more power momentarily, just enough to make the engine move or shake just the smallest little bit. The entire strut/shaft/enging system has to be aligned as a complete system, centering the shaft in the opening. Doing so took care of the problem in my case.
Same Here Sam
Mike, I agree with Sam. If you are mechanically inclined at all, it is something you can enjoy doing, as well as learn a little. I went through these same issues this summer. I aligned the shaft and it fixed the problem. I took my time it. I got it to within .001 using a feeler guage in between the coupling. I had a little run out though when I turned the shaft 180 degrees. I split the difference and got it pretty good. I think there is a tiny bit of warp in the shaft. It now runs smoother than ever! good luck, Mike D
Mike, I agree with Sam. If you are mechanically inclined at all, it is something you can enjoy doing, as well as learn a little. I went through these same issues this summer. I aligned the shaft and it fixed the problem. I took my time it. I got it to within .001 using a feeler guage in between the coupling. I had a little run out though when I turned the shaft 180 degrees. I split the difference and got it pretty good. I think there is a tiny bit of warp in the shaft. It now runs smoother than ever! good luck, Mike D
Another Update and Exorcism
I checked the motor mounts and they are all solid. As to alignment, one experienced salt thought that I'd have to noticing more stuffing box leakage if there was an alignment or bent shaft issue and there is virtually no such leakage. On a hunch I sent down a diver to check for fishing tackle and to manhandle the prop, shaft, keel and rudder. All were solidly connected and correct. One thing though. I found that I could lift the rudder about 1/8" and that doing so made a similar sound to the mysterious rumble. But the bolt, nut and collar that holds the rudder from the top (under the removeable sole), were all tight. My plan is to next try to recreate the event while watching the emergency tiller slot to see if there is movement up and down. and then to force the emergency tiller down to hold the rudder down to see if this eliminates the sound. If that doesn't do it, I call the dealer for an alignment and perhaps an exorcism.
I checked the motor mounts and they are all solid. As to alignment, one experienced salt thought that I'd have to noticing more stuffing box leakage if there was an alignment or bent shaft issue and there is virtually no such leakage. On a hunch I sent down a diver to check for fishing tackle and to manhandle the prop, shaft, keel and rudder. All were solidly connected and correct. One thing though. I found that I could lift the rudder about 1/8" and that doing so made a similar sound to the mysterious rumble. But the bolt, nut and collar that holds the rudder from the top (under the removeable sole), were all tight. My plan is to next try to recreate the event while watching the emergency tiller slot to see if there is movement up and down. and then to force the emergency tiller down to hold the rudder down to see if this eliminates the sound. If that doesn't do it, I call the dealer for an alignment and perhaps an exorcism.
And finally, the answer
Just thought those who've been following this would want to know that the mysterious rumble has been identified. And this proves what Sherlock Holmes once said, "When you eliminate the impossible what you have, no matter how improbable, is the truth." Some idiot put a crab trap in the channel running to the marina. Speeding by would disturb it enough on low tide so that it bounced and "bumped" on the hull. Thanks for all the help guys...it helped deducing this possible.
Just thought those who've been following this would want to know that the mysterious rumble has been identified. And this proves what Sherlock Holmes once said, "When you eliminate the impossible what you have, no matter how improbable, is the truth." Some idiot put a crab trap in the channel running to the marina. Speeding by would disturb it enough on low tide so that it bounced and "bumped" on the hull. Thanks for all the help guys...it helped deducing this possible.
isn't that against the law?%^&*()$#@
Seems to me a pretty dangerous thing to do to anyone who might need to get thru the channel without tearing up their rudder, prop, shaft, etc. Hope you have reported this and the CG removes it. Serves the craber right to lose his trap, but not at the expense of other mariners.
Seems to me a pretty dangerous thing to do to anyone who might need to get thru the channel without tearing up their rudder, prop, shaft, etc. Hope you have reported this and the CG removes it. Serves the craber right to lose his trap, but not at the expense of other mariners.
In Their Defense
The traps do not always stay where they were put. In Mississippi we spent alot of time trying to dodge them. They run on a pretty close margin so they do not usually put their traps out where they will get run down. So even though I hate having to mess with dodging them you gotta have some respect for these guys working very hard and trying to make a living.
The traps do not always stay where they were put. In Mississippi we spent alot of time trying to dodge them. They run on a pretty close margin so they do not usually put their traps out where they will get run down. So even though I hate having to mess with dodging them you gotta have some respect for these guys working very hard and trying to make a living.
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