My 30hp Johnson was slipping

[Randeville]

I'm brand new to boating and have recently purchased a pre-owned 15' bass boat with a 30hp Johnson. All has been well till this evening when the motor seemed to slip out of gear and begin to race. This happened a few times in unfamiliar water, however when I returned to water I was familiar with, the motor ran fine. Can the motor be slipping out of gear, the prop be slipping, or could I have been hitting some shallow water and kicking up some mud. Thanx for any guidance cause I have a lot to learn.

 

[Boatman]

Re: My 30hp Johnson was slipping

You answered all the questions yourself.<br /><br />Familier waters you knew were deep enough to run in.<br /><br />Your prop could have been slipping, but normally once they slip they continue to slip under a load.<br /><br />Jumping out of gear does not quit until the cause is fixed.<br /><br />My advice would be to take it out in known waters again and try it. You may be worried about a problem that does not exist. If the motor was kickiing up, and digging sand or mud, it may have sounded like it was doing a "burn out" If it felt like you were hitting a log every now and then, it was jumping out of gear.<br /><br />My 2 cents<br /><br />Boat

 

[Randeville]

Re: My 30hp Johnson was slipping

Well thanx for the reply. We took it out today and suffered no repeat problems. ON our last outing when we had all the grief, we did hit a low floating log which broke off a piece of the outboard. It's a fin shaped piece abov e the prop. We were advised by another boater, that it won't affect our motor. I hope he's right.

 

[hagarwc]

Re: My 30hp Johnson was slipping

Sounds like you damaged the trim tab. It is bolted on above the prop under the cavatation plate. Won't affect the motor but might cause the boat to pull slightly to one side. It is used to keep the boat tracking in a straight line. You can test it by steering the boat in a straight and letting go of the wheel. (Make sure your boat is evenly loaded first). If it then steers itself from the path you set it might need either adjustment or replacement to correct the pull.

 

[Randeville]

Re: My 30hp Johnson was slipping

Thanx for your guidance. this forum is great! We did take it out yesterday, but I hadn't seen your response yet, and I didn't look for a steering problem. I plan on going out Tuesday evening, and I'll check it then. thanx.