We returned from our brief cruise yesterday and had no problems motoring. I just finished a discussion with PYI to see whether the Maxprop could be the cause of the vibration and they said the symptoms are consistent with the Maxprop needing to be reconditioned. They said that if there is too much wiggle in the blades, when subjected to loading and unloading in waves, the blades can catch in slightly different places and that leads to vibration. Going to reverse and then back to forward would reset the blade position. He said I can test by seeing how much wiggle there is in the blades when locked in forward. It should be less than 1/8”. More than 3/16” is a problem. I may try to dive under to see, but likely will wait until haul in Fall. So I think that is the likely cause of our vibration issue. I am still unsure what the symptoms of a transmission needing rebuilding would be. If anyone can speak to symptoms of that problem, I would appreciate it as I suspect they are different.
I should also note that I have always had a problem with the engine stalling when I shift into reverse. I don’t know what is causing that (PYI did not think it related to the prop) so if anyone has ideas I would love to hear them. It is always nerve racking coming into a dock and worrying that I will not be able to slow down. As to shift lever- it looks to me like the shifter is designed to be able to attach in either orientation. I think that in order to match normal Edson lever movement (down = forward) they had to put it on pointing down. In order for that to work, they had to grind out some of the stringer. I realize in retrospect that there is no way shifting could have worn that away as you would not have been able to shift at all until it wore down some and that would make no sense. But both my wife and I think that up is more natural for forward gear, so I am happy with the change. Dave S/V Aries 1990 C&C 34+ New London, CT
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