Yesterday it happened: a dockline went overboard and wrapped itself around the shaft. Of course it was my fault (single-handing, no one else to blame). Fortunately, I was in the marina (I was just moving the boat from my summer slip to a more protected slip for the winter) and, given that this is December, there were not many boats to bump into. I managed to lasso a piling to keep stationary and the marina's tug then pulled me into the winter slip.
Symptoms: I was applying a good dose of reverse (20 knot winds in a narrow fairway!) and the motor stalled immediately. With a very audible snap, the line wrapped itself tightly around shaft (or prop), the other end tight on a cleat on deck. I could start the motor but it died immediately when I put it in reverse. What was more frightening to me was that in forward, the motor would turn but the shaft not!! (I checked under the V-drive).
It was with a lot of trepidation that I opened the reversing gear today, expecting some horrible carnage. Visually, things looked fine (no shredded cogs etc). I decided to turn the motor with the starter (the button I had installed this summer in the engine room really paid off!). The starter turned the motor which turned the shaft in the center (don't know how it is called) but the big round thing around which the reversing band goes did not turn in either forward nor reverse.
Then the amazing thing happened: I was wiggling the line, pulling on it, playing with the starter etc -- and something moved! To make a long story short, the shaft started to turn and I was able to pull the line off! (It suffered surprisingly little damage and I think it will do further duty as a spare dockline).
Everything seems to be fine: I can power forward and backward, the shaft turns, the boat is being propelled (at least in the slip). I did not go out (temps were about 32F, wind 25 gusting to 35...) but, as far as I can tell, everything is OK.
So, here is my question: is there a possibility that I did any damage to any parts? If yes, how can I test it?
Thanks!
--Ernst
Symptoms: I was applying a good dose of reverse (20 knot winds in a narrow fairway!) and the motor stalled immediately. With a very audible snap, the line wrapped itself tightly around shaft (or prop), the other end tight on a cleat on deck. I could start the motor but it died immediately when I put it in reverse. What was more frightening to me was that in forward, the motor would turn but the shaft not!! (I checked under the V-drive).
It was with a lot of trepidation that I opened the reversing gear today, expecting some horrible carnage. Visually, things looked fine (no shredded cogs etc). I decided to turn the motor with the starter (the button I had installed this summer in the engine room really paid off!). The starter turned the motor which turned the shaft in the center (don't know how it is called) but the big round thing around which the reversing band goes did not turn in either forward nor reverse.
Then the amazing thing happened: I was wiggling the line, pulling on it, playing with the starter etc -- and something moved! To make a long story short, the shaft started to turn and I was able to pull the line off! (It suffered surprisingly little damage and I think it will do further duty as a spare dockline).
Everything seems to be fine: I can power forward and backward, the shaft turns, the boat is being propelled (at least in the slip). I did not go out (temps were about 32F, wind 25 gusting to 35...) but, as far as I can tell, everything is OK.
So, here is my question: is there a possibility that I did any damage to any parts? If yes, how can I test it?
Thanks!
--Ernst
Comment