Thanks for the replies and info. Sorry, don't get on email much at the moment. Finally determined that the existing 2.13:1 forward ratio appears to be correct. I found an old post from Wal that had a prop calculator attached. Ran the specs, and the gearbox ratio seems to check out for our 2 blade prop pitch and diameter. I always thought the prop looked a bit small, and the owners manual shows and 18" prop with the 2.8:1 ratio - I guess at one stage they were spinning the bigger prop a bit slower. We'll stick with the current setup - one step at a time.
I managed to find a new gearbox in stock at Foley Engines (Dr Diesel) and it's currently in transit to Fiji. There were also 3 available on eBay at fredwarner1.net but he wasn't able to ship to Fiji. Quite a relief to get one because the lead time from Australia was 17 weeks! We are still in Fiji awaiting the gearbox before heading back to Australia at the beginning of November. We have been in here for 3 years now with summer storage in a cyclone pit at Vuda Marina. We got through Cyclone Winston unscathed although very stressful at the time because we couldn't get back here to baby sit. My heart goes out to all those people who weren't so lucky and are suffering in the Caribbean. It must seem never-ending in that part of the world! It will be good to get out there again after a long stint of work. Tony Mitchell SV Irish Melody, 1983 LF38 #150 Vuda, Fiji
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