cool story, but that's scary. other than keeping an eye on the screws what
more could you do so that never happens again?

"Gary Warner" wrote in message
...

So we decided to go out for a short day of boating. Put into the Hudson
River
at the Ramp in Hudson NY. Headed North for about an hour and stopped
at what turned out to be a private marina. A boat owner there told us
there
was a decent restaurant about another 20 to 30 minutes upriver, so we
went.

When we get to the restaurant/marina I'm driving. I circle around about 4
times
deciding where the best place to dock is. A guy on the dock notices my
circling and pobably thinks I'm worried about docking. So as I approach
a the finger pier of my choice he's there waiting to help us. Nice.

I have a good approach and am coming in at just about the right angle
and speed. I decided to give it just a little reverse thrust to slow
things
down. A moment later I decided we're just a liiiiite to far from the dock
and I'd like to give it a jab forward to kick the bow a little closer. So
I put it in gear - but feel no thrust in the boat. I give a little more
gas
and do it again. Still no thrust.

By now we've floated gently close enough, a rope is thrown to the
gentleman on the dock, and my brother get off the stern and ties us
up.

At this point only I really know anything is wrong. I open the engine
cover and my Dad says, "Hey, there's quite a lot of water coming in
there. More then ususal."

Turns out the prop shaft has come loose from it's coupling to the engine
and has dropped down stem-log tube!!

A moments thought and we realize the water coming in is not really
that much and the pumps will be able to keep up easily for a long time.
We stuff a sock into the hole anyway to slow the flow.

Next I realize someone will have to go into that cold water to figure
out if the shaft is anywhere to be found. I get into a bathing suit and
lower myself in. Some people on another boat are, I'm told later, looking
at my like I'm crazy.

Turns out the shaft & prop is still there. I forgot, but the shaft can't
slide past the rudder with the prop on it. I push a few times on the
shaft
but is doesn't appear inside the hull. Then my brother reminds me that
it's keyed and I should slowly turn it while pushing. Sure enought after
about a 1/4 turn is slides in.

We tightend up the three set screws and gave it a little test but
something
doesn't seem quite right. We loosen the screws and run it in FORWARD
to put more pressure on the prop & shaft. After all, I was only pushing it
in there while in the water with nothing to hold to. Now we tighten up
the set-screws and it seems much better.

Drove her the 1.5 hours back South with no problems.

(Oh, somewhere in there - after the swim but before the set-screw tests -
we had a nice lunch.)

Overall a good fun day of boating with a litle story, a lesson learned
(Keep those set screws tight) and no serious problems.

See Ya,
Gary