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Close_Quarters · 22-03-2014, 12:20

Hello!

1st time going out this season and I have very low speed in forward. Reverse is fine. In fact I go faster in reverse than forward. Over the winter, I would run the engine 30 minutes a week. 10 in neutral. 10 in forward. 10 in reverse. A month ago I started noticing I could only get 2200 RPM's in forward but I never go any higher than that but I still thought it strange. Certainly could achieve higher in rev and neutral.

My boat is a Pearson 323 with a rather new universal M-25XPB with 240 hours and the ZF 15 MIV transmission. My bilge is generally clear but today noticed it had a brownish orange discoloration with a slight foam on top. Not much actually more like a slight skim.

Kinda new to this so not real sure where to start. Hoping it's something simple but probably not knowing my luck.

Any suggestions, tips or hints would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

Bob

Close_Quarters · 22-03-2014, 12:24

Not sure if I should post this here or elsewhere. Sorry if I have posted incorrectly!

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SkiprJohn · 22-03-2014, 13:07

That's a hard one to troubleshoot since you are getting good rpm in reverse but not forward.
I'd try to spin the propeller shaft by hand (engine off of course). First try in the forward direction, then try the other direction to see if there seems to be a difference in friction. Could you have a fouled prop or shaft?
Sorry I can't be of more help.

wanderer1 · 22-03-2014, 14:31

check your blades,you may be wound up.

Close_Quarters · 22-03-2014, 16:22

Thanks for the quick responses! I can spin (more like turn) the prop shaft by hand. It's slightly more difficult to spin clockwise than counterclockwise. I think clockwise is forward and counterclockwise is reverse. Either direction it's tough to start turning but gets shortly there after. The growth on the bottom of the boat has really taken off and I'm thinking the prop probably looks really bad too. I'm such a bad owner! Guess it's time to break out the wet suit and snorkeling gear!

Thanks again and let me know if you think of anything else!

Cheers!

Bob

Target9000 · 22-03-2014, 16:37

Check your transmission fluid. (and all other fluids, since you have a strange color in the bilge) Also cleaning/checking the prop is a good idea. I don't believe you mentioned what type of prop you have? Is it a folding or feathering prop or a fixed blade?

Cheechako · 22-03-2014, 17:04

your prop may be a ball of barnacles and stuff! Happens often..

Close_Quarters · 31-03-2014, 20:39

And the winner is. . .

Barnacles!!!

Diver did the trick. Thanks for all the help!

Bob

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