Vibration in running gear?

[Bob Quinn]

I am getting a vibration in the aft deck area when at 10 knots and it shakes more the faster I go.
I am assuming bent prop or shafts. Any recommendations before I have it pulled out?

I am assuming there is nothing I can do with it in the water, correct?

Thanks!

 

[SEVEN]

You could dive to see if the props are bent. Hard to do anything with the shafts in the water. Have them check the shaft logs if you pull it.

 

[jim rosenthal]

You could have a diver check to see if anything's wrapped around the wheel or the shaft. If so, it might save you a haulout.

 

[Pascal]

If you haven’t hit anything it s likely to be something wrapped around the wheel. Either go down and take a look or get a diver to do it.

You can isolate which side by increasing RPM one engine at a time.

 

[Bob Quinn]

If you haven’t hit anything it s likely to be something wrapped around the wheel. Either go down and take a look or get a diver to do it.

You can isolate which side by increasing RPM one engine at a time.

Thanks for the tip on figuring out which side. We did hit something a while back, so I'm guessing it is not something wrapped up on it. But worth checking anyways I think, just in case! It didn't seem to be vibrating after what we hit, but I can't be sure.
Thank you.

 

[Bob Quinn]

You could dive to see if the props are bent. Hard to do anything with the shafts in the water. Have them check the shaft logs if you pull it.

Can props be changed out in the water? I assume not, but worth asking

 

[SEVEN]

I’ve seen a diver do it. Lots of rope to tie them up so they don’t go straight to the bottom when loose.

 

[Pascal]

Yes props can be pulled and reinstalled in the water by a river. If you do, next haul out have the yard pull them and reinstall them to make sure they properly seated

A couple of years ago I hit a sunken sailboat and felt the hump. Got a vibration right away. Next day I have my diver check it out it turned out that when we bumped the wreck with keel, the keel Protected the props but we picked up a big piece of canvas that was on the wreck.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Thanks for all the tips, I got lucky and have a diver coming out tomorrow to take a look.

And.... he says he should be able to pull a prop if needed, would have to bring his float bag.
This should be interesting!

 

[Bob Quinn]

Yes props can be pulled and reinstalled in the water by a river. If you do, next haul out have the yard pull them and reinstall them to make sure they properly seated

A couple of years ago I hit a sunken sailboat and felt the hump. Got a vibration right away. Next day I have my diver check it out it turned out that when we bumped the wreck with keel, the keel Protected the props but we picked up a big piece of canvas that was on the wreck.

Wow that is an unexpected outcome! Any gold come up with that?

 

[Pascal]

Wow that is an unexpected outcome! Any gold come up with that?

I wish. Yes good surprise as I had already contacted my prop shop being sure the wheel was damaged!

 

[Freestyle]

I had the same problem with a cheap outcome.

Vibration was caused by zinc coming loose and spinning freely around shaft.

Hope your divers find something easy like this.

Bruce

Freestyle

1986 62 CPMY (54 with ext)
Tampa

 

[Bob Quinn]

I had the same problem with a cheap outcome.

Vibration was caused by zinc coming loose and spinning freely around shaft.

Hope your divers find something easy like this.

Bruce

Freestyle

1986 62 CPMY (54 with ext)
Tampa

I hope it's something simple too!
I will know tonight when the diver comes out

 

[Scarlett]

One simple thing to try is just put the engine in reverse for a minute, if it is something stuck on the prop this will sometimes cause it to come off. I know this is to late now for your situation but should be the first thing to try any time you feel a vibration

 

[Eddieclemons]

When your up the river in the Hills of Tennessee a diver is your friend. Photo from last year after the bottom came up and hit me Starboard prop.

 

[Lmcruiser]

A friend of mine in our Marina picked up a piece of landscape cloth in Lake Michigan that caused a vibration. It was an easy fix and he was able to anchor near an island, dive and remove it from prop himself. Immediately stop vibration. About the equivalent of picking up that boat canvas I’m sure.

 

[jmooney]

Not all that wraps around a shaft is benign! Amazingly , no damage was done.

 

[Timeless72]

We had the same issue over 10 knots after launch this year. Boat sat out a season and though I noticed it back in 2020, the vibration was getting worse. Turns out, someone did a poor repair and strut alignment on the port years ago. Removed and rebed everything.
Here is one of the strut bolts for example. They were beginning to leak.

 

[Felix]

Any update on what the diver found? Keeping my fingers crossed that it wasn't anything major!

 

[Bob Quinn]

Not all that wraps around a shaft is benign! Amazingly , no damage was done.

Yikes!