Transmission Issue - stranded in Racine WI

[Pat T]

On a short trip backed out of dock on way home and then no forward gear. I thought my Kiwi prop fell off. Long story short, prop still intact. Problem is prop shaft is turning but at much lower rpm than it should. Trans is just not transferring the correct output. Like it is in a constant slip. Not a linkage issue. Changed ATF fluid for the heck of it, no difference. I am not a trans expert by any means. Clutch? I am guessing I will need a new trans. Boat is 22 years old. I was lucky it failed in harbor. Thoughts? Trans is Hurth HBW-100. Thanks.
If any locals out there, which is good boat yard recommended?

 

[Gunni]

Your friction clutches are shot.

 

[jon hansen]

prolly a good rebuild is all you need. sail her home. larson marine can yank the trans and ship it out. one week, maybe two.

ps, get lots of pecan kringle for the sail home.

 

[jon hansen]

fast tack out of racine harbor, you have nice easterlies today for the reach home , glide into waukegan, give the extra kringle to the dock boss at larsons. your good to go.

 

[jssailem]

pecan kringle

Oh you struck my sweet tooth.... And I'm sipping coffee. Sounds so good. Perhaps Jon you could package a couple and send them west to the land without????

 

[kloudie1]

Could be cable adjustment ? did ya try taking the cable off the lever at the transmission and forcing it into engagement? If that gives you forward then cable housing adjustment.. if not, then friction clutch plates are toast.. If you can get reverse, you can slowly and carefully back out of the marina and sail back home then back into your mooring/slip? That assumes ya don't have a long way to motor into/out of marina..
If plates, transmission has to be pulled to replace them; MUCH cheaper than a new transmission
If the friction material is simply glazed, the pads can be sanded lightly and re-used.. if there is an automotive clutch/brake shoe shop nearby, the disks can be refurbed there..

 

[jon hansen]

larsons marina in his home port can get anything done. they are great. racine and waukegan harbors are both a piece of cake to sail in and out of.

braking ones vessel on the forth of july is a buzz kill. my condolences

 

[jon hansen]

jssailem, go on line, the top bakeries for kringle in racine, there are two, will drop ship them to you, enjoy

 

[Jim 5757]

Been there...done that. You need a rebuild-for sure. That trans is no longer made. New ones are longer. We got our factory ZF parts from Federal Marine. They also rebuild and will NOT use aftermarket parts from Alta.

 

[Pat T]

I just don't want to take the boat from the slip. Can't take the chance of hitting other boats while I am have no crew to help. Even reverse is pretty questionable. The only reason I have more reverse than forward is due to the big bite in reverse the Kiwi gives you. Some good news is that I was going to pull the boat anyway b/c I purchased a Variprop and was going to install it. It's not in my hands but I expect it within 5 days.

 

[Boomer54]

Well, if you are stuck in Racine, the fireworks are terrific and Reefpoint Marina is a great place to view them from.

 

[Jim 5757]

FWIW Pat, it seems like most people report the same experience as you; maybe it's because we use forward more than reverse? Ours was acting up for 2 seasons before I finally bit the bullet and did the rebuild last winter. While I had everything apart I also replaced the drive damper - also an original factory part

 

[Pat T]

Jim 5757, You have given me an idea. Federal Marine is very near my home. I think I can pull this transmission while in the water. If I can I will hand deliver to Federal for a rebuild.

 

[chuckles]

make sure the prop is flipping over correctly ...its suspicious that the rpms are dropping ... could be an excessive load

 

[Jim 5757]

Jim is the guy who answers the phone at Federal Marine. A veritable encyclopedia of knowledge re Hurth/ ZF. Please let us know how you make out. Not familiar with your boat but you should be able to pull the trans in the water. (I had to remove the fuel tank to gain access).

 

[Morgan donor]

Probably time to replace the engine flex plate too. It's right there staring at you when you take the trans out. Its the time to do it. Discuss with your transmission guy.

 

[Pat T]

As stated by Boomer54, the fireworks were indeed impressive! As it turned out I was able to work with Pugh Marine and they are willing to work with me (I do some work, they do some work) although they too are busy with other boat issues/customers. They hauled me out, price was right. I decided on the haul out because I had ordered a Variprop in the hopes to fix some prop vibration and wanted to install it also ( another thread of mine). Chuckles, my Kiwi prop was free to rotate blades. I had a diver check for issues.
Contacted Federal Marine Transmissions - they don't rebuild the Hurth I have of course! I ordered a replacement (ZF-10M) - not cheap by any means but Jim, the owner at Federal, assured me this will fit in my boat w/o issues. The A ratio is changed though from 1.79 to 2.04, B ratio is unchanged. I will have to paint the gear when I get it. Jim is a smart guy with years of experience that is not easily found elsewhere. I stopped by his office/shop/warehouse today and talked with him (and dropped off my check).
Since my A ratio changed my Variprop dealer said I had to have a different spec on my prop. Another delay and another $600+. Morgan Donor - have to also change the damper plate for warranty reasons $300 ka ching $$. My current one is in good condition so I now have a spare.
Once on the hard I pulled the prop, trans, and damper plate in 2 -3 hours. I would like to replace my bronze shaft with SS but I am not sure of this due to other yard work. Stay tuned. Trans & dmaper plate due Tuesday. Prop now due end of next week. Thanks for replies & help.

 

[Pat T]

Just an update... ZF trans and new damper plate went in ok ( after I had to paint it) yesterday. I ordered a new SS shaft and the yard will put this in. My VariProp arrived today. This is a heavy prop compared with the Kiwi. Plan is to hang it Saturday if all goes well. Monday back in water. Tuesday re-align.
Any ideas what to do with my old Hurth? Someone somewhere has a use for this I would think?

 

[Jim 5757]

I'd love to have it Pat! I can rebuild it and keep it as a spare. Send me a PM...

 

[Pat T]

Got all back together. The ZF trans is an exact fit. Took the boat out for a test yesterday and all is well. Only issue I have is the VariProp came from the factory a little under pitched. I can only hit 6 kts at 2600 rpm. Both my fixed blade standard prop and the Kiwi were giving me better speed in the range of 6.5 to 6.8 with a clean bottom. The VariProp is adjustable in water so eventually I'll get to it.
Got to give a thumbs up to Bill the GM and the guys at Pugh Marina, Racine WI that worked on my boat. Good coordination and workmanship got me back in the water quickly. Price was very respectable. I will not hesitate going back there if needed.