2 hours motoring and suddenly vibration.

[Seven Spades]

I had been motoring for two hours last night on return from Cherbourge. I was going through the forts before entering Portsmouth harbour and bumph without notice a virbation occurred from the engine. I suffered no loss of speed and the engine did not seem to falter, but he vibration did not go away. I assumed that I had picked up a rope and send a diver down today, however he says that there is no rope and theat there is quite a bit of resistance if he tries to turn the propeller.

I have a sail drive, any suggestions as to what might be wrong and remedies?

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Check the engine mounts are bolted down tight and that the "rubbers" haven't split / become detached ?

 

[sandeel]

hi
have you a shaft anode? it may have come loose
regards
john

 

[sailorman]

[ QUOTE ]
hi
have you a shaft anode? it may have come loose
regards
john

[/ QUOTE ]


I have a sail drive, any suggestions as to what might be wrong and remedies? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Seven Spades]

The boat is only three years old so I doubt it is the engine mounts, but I will check. I will ask the diver if he looked the anode. It is difficult to know what to do next, I don't want to have her lifted unless I know I have to.

 

[Sinbad2222]

Folding prop?

 

[halcyon]

Had a new Vetus engine fitted to a Hurley 27 we used to own, engine mounts failed after 3 hours running. Sounded like the engine trying to climb out the side of the boat.

Brian

 

[muddyfeet]

I have experienced exactly the same symptoms on crossing from Bologne/Ramsgate 10 days ago in strong winds - motored a couple of hours, then downwind sail until the turn into Ramsgate approach channel when engine started vibrating - assumed something on prop, but on lift out all clear. Vibration still there across Thames estuary so another lift out. Removed propeller from saildrive and when compared with a new one, the centre composite boss had been moved back approx. 3mm so it was likely an obstruction had occurred. A new prop cured the problem.

 

[Seven Spades]

I have a suspision that we have hit something because it came on so suddenly.

 

[fireball]

If it is difficult to turn the prop (and the engine was out of gear) then there must be a drag in the system that wasn't there before.

If the vibration is only there when the engine is in drive then the problem is in the gearbox->prop mechanism - I'd guess it could be damaged propshaft bearings - but this is just a guess!!

If the vibration is still there when the engine is out of drive then it is a problem with the engine/mounts/clutch mechanism ... god knows where to start there!

 

[Seven Spades]

Thank you Fireball. I can see it being a problem with the prop it self as that would not make it stiff for the diver to turn. I could spit now as I did not try the in-gear/out-of gear test, which would have been easy to do, I had just assumed that I had picked up a bit of rope, which I now know not to be the case.

Doesn't soundf like a cheap problem to fix, what a great season this year /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Heckler]

muddyfeet got the right idea, if you picked something up it can force things badly, i picked up a 10mm halyard of my neighbours, it forced the cutlass bearing up the tube, the point is it could have been a rope pickup that moved the prop on the rubber bushing and then the offending article was worn thru and disappeared, however the damaged prop is left to rub on the leg and cause vibration and stiffness. ask the diver to have another closer look at the prop clearance, personally tho would bite the bullet and inspect on a slipway.
Stu

 

[fireball]

NP /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It's easy to think about it when you're remote and not having to deal with the problem there and then.
As SStu suggested - it's probably better to do the whole thing on the slipway as it sounds like you'll have to pull it out to fix anyway.