What could cause freespinning prop?

buffdaddy110

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Apr 30, 2008
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I've got a 2008 Crownline 210 LS with 5.0 MPI Alpha One. I was out at the lake yesterday and when I advanced the throttle the engine would accelerate, the but the boat wouldn't move. It was almost like being full trim up, but trim works fine. When I engage the throttle I was able to get enough forward momentum to limp back to the boat ramp. When I got the boat out of the water everything looked fine, but I do remember being able to spin the prop by hand. I don't remember hitting hitting anything, but the wind did blow the back of the boat into the dock. The boat is currently at the shop, but it's Saturday and they won't be able to look at it until Monday. I was just trying to find out what kind of stuff it could be.
 

Don S

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Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

Put the shifter into forward and turn the prop counter clock wise. Does the prop shaft itself turn or just the prop. If the shaft doesn't turn, you probably just need a new hub in the prop. You should carry one as a spare anyway.
If the shaft is turning, then it's a drive, coupler, or shift cable problem.
 

Barnacle_Bill

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Feb 8, 2004
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Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

Sounds like a spun hub. A prop shop can fix that.
 

Bondo

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Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

Ayuh,......

It Could be Alot of Things,.......

A Blown Prop Hub,....
A Blown Coupler,....
A Blown Outdrive are but a few.......
 

Don S

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Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

Sounds like a spun hub. A prop shop can fix that.

He has a 2008 boat, so if it is the prop hub, it's user replacable. No prop shop needed. If it's spun, you take the prop off, pull the old one out, put the new one in, tighten the prop and off you go. Good as new.


http://www.mercurypartsexpress.com/us/flo-torq-ii-hub-kit-mercury-p340.html

image.php
 

rndn

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Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

I agree with Don S. It sounds like a user replaceable spun prop hub.
 

buffdaddy110

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Apr 30, 2008
Messages
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Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

I dropped it off at the shop on the way back from the lake yesterday, so I won't know until tomorrow. I'm new to owning a boat or else I'd have checked the hub myself. If the problem did happen from being blown into the dock, could it still be a blown hub?
 

Bondo

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Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

If the problem did happen from being blown into the dock, could it still be a blown hub?

Ayuh,.....

At this point,.... It still could be Anything mentioned.....
 

buffdaddy110

Cadet
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Apr 30, 2008
Messages
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Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

Just found out I have a spun prop and a bent shaft. They said they'd get with me in a day or two for the estimate. Unfortunately, I still have to wait to find out the financial pain. Plan to claim it on insurance, but unfortunately State Farm only allows a minimum $1000 deductible.
 

Don S

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Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

I know one thing for sure, there is no way you are going to bend a 1" diameter SS propshaft without some damage to that aluminum prop. Just ain't gonna happen.
 

buffdaddy110

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Apr 30, 2008
Messages
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Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

It's a stainless steel prop, if i had an aluminum prop I'd just be replacing the prop and not the shaft.
 

ILOVEBEER

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Apr 1, 2006
Messages
92
Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

Huh, how could you bend the shaft and not have any prop damage? Sounds a little suspect...
 

buffdaddy110

Cadet
Joined
Apr 30, 2008
Messages
16
Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

That's what I'm trying to figure out as well. My prop has some nicks on it, but I know how those got there. I'm going to the dealership tomorrow and asking to see the shaft, because I'm confused.
 

burp

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 3, 2002
Messages
363
Re: What could cause freespinning prop?

Spin the prop by hand and watch the end of the prop shaft. If the end of the prop shaft wobbles as it's turned....it's bent.
 
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