Transmission problem ??

[Dean]

Fellow Tige owners,

I was out on the Lake last weekend boarding getting ready to make another attempt at an 180 when my wife suddenly stops the boat ! Now this is not a big surprise since she is learning how to drive and pull but this time she said she felt a big vibration and lost power. I got in the boat to check it out. The transmission fluid level was ok and did not smell burnt. So I started it up and put it in gear and felt the vibration. It seemed like the transmission was not completely coupled to the engine. I idled in gear for 5 minutes then stopped to check the fluid level again. When I put it back in gear it was fine and ran great back to the ramp. I stopped and started several times on my way back to see if the problem would happpen again but it was fine.

I have about 4 hours on it since I had the boat in for the 20 hour service.
2004 21i
Marine Power 5.7L
C45 transmission I think ?

Anybody have any suggestions ???

Thanks
Dean

[loose66]

Hey Dean,

You probably already checked this but, is your prop damaged at all? That could cause the symptoms you described.

-DJU

[Dean]

Yes, I forgot to mention no prop damage or any indication we hit anything although there was alot of tree limbs in the water.

[raythompson]

I also had a vibration in my boat after encountering some shallow water. The prop did not hit bottom, just the depth alarm went off. After that I would get a vibration when exceeding 1500 RPM. Thought I gouged the prop somehow on debris.

To check my suspicion I stopped the boat, put it in reverse, and then forward again. The vibration was gone.

So I suspect that something (plant, plastic bag, etc.) had attached itself to the prop. Using reverse dislodged the garbage and all was well again.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by Dean
Yes, I forgot to mention no prop damage or any indication we hit anything although there was alot of tree limbs in the water.
Perhaps a small stick got wedged onto the prop. Reverse does wonders in most of these cases.

I know from experience that it feels like your drive system is going to shake itself to pieces.

Your wife was wise in stopping the boat when she sensed a problem.

[smendez]

I've had the same thing happen to me.

I always thought whatever was lodged was in the hull fins.

At any rate, reversing the boat dislodges whatever it is.

[Dean]

Loose66,Ray,SMendez,
Thanks for the replies. It sounds like I had something caught in the fins or prop area. There was alot of debries in the water that day.

This is my first direct drive boat. I have always owned stern drives before where you can just look down and see if anything is caught in the prop. Still the best boat I ever owned though.

If any of you are from the central coast of California, Ill see you at Nacimiento or San Antonio.

Have a great summer.

Tige rules !!!

Dean