Harleyford marina help

russ

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I would like to say a big thank you to Mark of Harleyford Marina for his help this weekend. We had an issue with our boat as we exited Temple lock and didn't want to go further without investigation. I called Harleyford to see if they had a mechanic on hand. Unfortunately not until Sunday morning and so Mark offered us a nights mooring.
He met and helped with our lines at the pontoon and handed us a list of WC entry codes and local restaurants and taxis. He was very reassuring and waived the mooring fee for the night.
RCR met us at the marina office and took a quick look at the boat. After he left it dawned on me that his evaluation was totally wrong. Mark suggested I speak to their resident technician in the morning who then gave a different view.
We returned back to our home marina without anymore issues after a peaceful and relaxed stay in a lovely location.
Thank you Harleyford.
 
After he left it dawned on me that his evaluation was totally wrong. Mark suggested I speak to their resident technician in the morning who then gave a different view.
Thank you Harleyford.

C,mon play fair, cannot be the only nosy parker just dying to know exactly what the issue was and what the opposing opinions were as to the correct course of action to remedy.
Was the amount of folding needed to sort it a factor.............Details please we need to know. :)
 
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C,mon play fair, cannot be the only nosy parker just dying to know exactly what the issue was and what the opposing opinions were as to the correct course of action to remedy.
Was the amount of folding needed to sort it a factor.............Details please we need to know. :)
Make that two - there are often comments about the quality of RCR subbies and it needs to be resolved or forewarned.

Mark and his crew are outstanding.....
 
C,mon play fair, cannot be the only nosy parker just dying to know exactly what the issue was and what the opposing opinions were as to the correct course of action to remedy.
Was the amount of folding needed to sort it a factor.............Details please we need to know. :)

Well the wait is over.
Back at Bray and with the drive off it was clear that water had breached the newly fitted bellow which eventually caused the drive bearing to fail.
RCR conclusion at Harleyford was that the bearings inside the actual prop had failed. Which I assumed would only show its self at fault when in gear and not whilst in neutral.
Harleyford engineers assumption was indeed correct being the bearing.
 
I would like to say a big thank you to Mark of Harleyford Marina for his help this weekend. We had an issue with our boat as we exited Temple lock and didn't want to go further without investigation. I called Harleyford to see if they had a mechanic on hand. Unfortunately not until Sunday morning and so Mark offered us a nights mooring.
He met and helped with our lines at the pontoon and handed us a list of WC entry codes and local restaurants and taxis. He was very reassuring and waived the mooring fee for the night.
RCR met us at the marina office and took a quick look at the boat. After he left it dawned on me that his evaluation was totally wrong. Mark suggested I speak to their resident technician in the morning who then gave a different view.
We returned back to our home marina without anymore issues after a peaceful and relaxed stay in a lovely location.
Thank you Harleyford.
+2 for Mark. Badly hurt my back having come up from Bell Weir on Sunday. Mark helped us moor up and even took swmbo to collect our car. Excellent service. Grateful thanks.
 
Aha....not sure about the Mercruiser but the VP outdrive has two bearings for the jackshaft in the transom assembly.
These do not just fail overnight, water would have to have been getting in for sometime to wash off lubrication, allow rust to form and wear causing collapse of roller cage/ball bearings.
Unless of course bearings were on their way anyhow and leak just finished them off.
Volvo Penta recommend replacing or completely rebuilding an outdrive every 10 years or 1000 hours.
 
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If water enters the bearing area through the bellows it will enter the boat as there is a small hole in the transom shield which allows water to ntrr the engine room, this is a manuafactured idea to show an owner they have water present in the gimbal bearing area , so if you didn't notice water in your bilge which is a constant flow water would not be in the gimbal area.
 
If water enters the bearing area through the bellows it will enter the boat as there is a small hole in the transom shield which allows water to ntrr the engine room, this is a manuafactured idea to show an owner they have water present in the gimbal bearing area , so if you didn't notice water in your bilge which is a constant flow water would not be in the gimbal area.

Looking at the rusty water mark inside the bellow it looks like a very small amount of water sitting at the bottom of the bellow and then maybe whipped up by the prop into the bearing. Only a novices guess looking for a cause.
 
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