BoatBanter.com - Drive on one engine cutting out

On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 18:16:45 -0400, trainfan1
wrote:

Brian Whatcott wrote:
On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 06:59:43 GMT, "RM" wrote:

I have a 1985 32' Chris craft stinger with twin 454's. The starboard engine
has been acting up lately. If I give it throttle it starts to go then the
right engine will rev higher, the prop sounds like its cavitating, the
engine sync gauge swings way over to the right and the boat starts veering
to the right. Basically I am losing propulsion from that side and the engine
is unloaded. When I back the throttle down it "catches" and starts moving
straight, sync needle swings back over, etc. If it was a car I would say the
clutch is slipping but I am not sure if there are clutch packs in a boat
tranny, never worked on one. If I speed up real slow with the port engine
taking most of the load I can eventually get up to speed, but it still will
cut out for a second or two randomly. We ran over a crab trap a couple
months back but I dont know if that messed it up or not. It was on the
starboard prop and I had to cut it away to get it off, it was wrapped up
pretty good. If more details are needed please let me know. i could get
video of the gauges and sounds if that will help.

Start with the basics: take the prop off, check the drive shaft to
prop area and reconnect, snuggly. If you are lucky, this can be
the problem

Brian W

It's pretty obvoius, though, if the keywat is compromised, or the key is
missing on an inboard.

And stop calling him Snuggly.

Rob

Ha! That was the best quote from the movie, in my opinion - anyway
- I had an outboard that lost propulsion on a lake - limped back in
and when I cleaned and refitted the prop, all was well.

Brian Whatcott