Spun prop or worse?

[Tottally Tuna]

We were running 35mph and all of a sudden the engine revs high and we quickly back off the throttle. Motor runs fine, but when you put boat into gear the engine revs and prop does not spin. We thought we just spun the prop, but didn't want to chance changing prop hardware offshore. However, I got into the water and when we put the motor in gear the prop did not spin freely as it does in neutral. It will turn one direction and click into position kinda like a rachet. It will not turn the other direction. I've never had lower unit or prop problems, but thought if the prop was spun that it would spin freely whether in gear or out. I didn't pay any attention to direction of rotation as I was in the water. Could this be a spun prop or do we have a bigger problem?

It a 225 Mercury offshore if it makes a difference.

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Tottally Tuna]

Re: Spun prop or worse?

Got back to the house and ran motor in driveway. Prop would not rotate even with no resistance.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Spun prop or worse?

sounds like the shift shaft has come loose, broke or possibly the shift fork has broken.
Does it make any noise at all when shifting?

 

[Tottally Tuna]

Re: Spun prop or worse?

No noticable noise when shifting that is out of the ordinary.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Spun prop or worse?

I'd say you have something wrong in the lower unit if you have no shift clunk when shifting...