Lost Propulsion!! Help Needed!!! Please Respond!

Captain P

Captain P

New Member
Apr 12, 2021
7
Myrtle Beach, SC
Boat Info
2006 185 Sport
Engines
3.0L Mercruiser w/Alpha I Drive
Hi all, this is my first post here at Club Sea Ray. I purchased my first boat around 9 months ago. And it has been very reliable since! I keep it in a wet slip at a local marina. Took over the previous owners due to not having a trailer included. Since I just finished my captains course and just need to send in the app to the USCG for my six-pack license. Alright let’s get to it.

I took my lady friend out at about midnight few nights ago. Leaving the marina we were headed to Bird Island about 20 min away. Less than 5 min away from the destination boaters worst fear happened. I was dead on the water.

I have a 2006 Sea Ray 185 Sport, 3.0L Mercruiser with an Alpha I drive. First starting her in the slip it was running a little rough as in some vibrations but that cleared right up when leaving. It being at night I kept her right around 15 mph the whole voyage. I’m in the middle of the channel and I lost all headway. It seemed almost like a ran aground but without the impact feel. Like I said I was in the middle of the channel so that wasn’t a possibility. My next thought was I must have had something wrapped around the prop or something. Immediately I put her in neutral and not soon after the engine died. I trimmed all the way and checked the prop from the swim platform and it was clear and spun freely. I tried starting her and it wouldn’t take, at first took me a few tries. The motor sounded strong and was trying. I then did get her to turn over. Put it in gear slightly had some propulsion but an odd almost grinding noise if that could explain it. I then didn’t want to damage anything further so I called for a tow especially since it was covered by my progressive sign and glide.

After doing some googling I am hoping it is a spun prop but did not increase rpms to see if it was “slipping.” Just hoping it is not something more… Maybe even something with the gears in the upper or lower? I am mechanically inclined, working on cars and what not. I also have been doing my own maintenance on the boat. Don’t know if I should get it checked out by a mechanic but do want to save that cash and try on my own.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance and I’m excited to be a new member!!
 
I doubt it is a spun prop. You should be able to idle around with a spun prop and only loose propulsion when you try to get on plane. Grinding noise, sounds like something in the outdrive.
 
Captain P said:
Awesome! Well not awesome but the better of the evils! Thank you! Is there a way to test it without taking boat out of slip? Just don’t want to be stranded. Best bet be to remove prop and inspect?
Click to expand...

I recommended the other day to a similar symptom - mark the hub and prop with a paint marker and let it dry then go for a ride, recheck the marks.

that being said and just like mentioned above, unlikely a hub to lose it at idle unless the hub cracked or completely rounded over. You’ll know when you take it apart.

my last boat sheared the vertical intermediate driveshaft and had similar symptoms. I though it was the engine coupler because the engine temp went up without the impeller turning.

it all depends on how much you want to tear down yourself. Check the prop and if you feel confident enough to pull the drive do that. Chances are you’ll find something pretty obvious once you get into it
 
Strecker25 said:
I recommended the other day to a similar symptom - mark the hub and prop with a paint marker and let it dry then go for a ride, recheck the marks.

that being said and just like mentioned above, unlikely a hub to lose it at idle unless the hub cracked or completely rounded over. You’ll know when you take it apart.

my last boat sheared the vertical intermediate driveshaft and had similar symptoms. I though it was the engine coupler because the engine temp went up without the impeller turning.

it all depends on how much you want to tear down yourself. Check the prop and if you feel confident enough to pull the drive do that. Chances are you’ll find something pretty obvious once you get into it
Click to expand...

Thank you! I was also looking up some people just end up buying a new out drive. Especially if taking it to someone because the cost to rebuild could be almost equivalent. Any thoughts? Rebuild vs replace.
 
Golfman25 said:
I doubt it is a spun prop. You should be able to idle around with a spun prop and only loose propulsion when you try to get on plane. Grinding noise, sounds like something in the outdrive.
Click to expand...

At idle I feel could have moved some but had a bad noise so did not want to cause more damage if so. Any thoughts on what could be internal in the outdrive? And replace vs rebuild? I’ve seen people say it may be almost equivalent price wise especially if taking it to someone. Could this be a DIY job? I’m pretty confident in my abilities just never messed w boats too much especially an outdrive.
 
Captain P said:
Thank you! I was also looking up some people just end up buying a new out drive. Especially if taking it to someone because the cost to rebuild could be almost equivalent. Any thoughts? Rebuild vs replace.
Click to expand...

You'll quickly run across SEI drives when starting to look at replacements. I owned two SEI lowers on our 290 sundancer, a heavy boat for Alphas, and had to replace both of them under warranty because they blew up.

In a boat your size and if you really need a new drive I wouldn't shy away from an SEI but make sure you follow the break-in. Your problem could be much simpler though, dont buy a new drive just yet
 
Captain P said:
At idle I feel could have moved some but had a bad noise so did not want to cause more damage if so. Any thoughts on what could be internal in the outdrive? And replace vs rebuild? I’ve seen people say it may be almost equivalent price wise especially if taking it to someone. Could this be a DIY job? I’m pretty confident in my abilities just never messed w boats too much especially an outdrive.
Click to expand...

the alpha is a simple drive and very easy to remove DIY. 6 nuts and it comes out, just make sure it's in forward. Youtube is a great resource for this stuff

 
Drain the oil in the drive. It will let ya know if it is where the problem is. The vibration at start up could have just been a miss but may have also been an early indicator of failing coupler splines.
 
Thornton69 said:
Drain the oil in the drive. It will let ya know if it is where the problem is. The vibration at start up could have just been a miss but may have also been an early indicator of failing coupler splines.
Click to expand...

I read some places that the coupler failing could/would be associated with smoking or burnt rubber smell from rear of engine. Is that true? Because I did not see or smell anything when it happened.
 
Nothing in F or R?
Do you have a SS or aluminum prop? Aluminum props usually have the flo torque hub system, this doesn't "spin" like a SS, it just breaks. Take the prop off and you will see what I am talking about.

I would check things - generally in this order:
1. Shifting - Is it shifting properly? With engine off turn the prop by hand - in F it should click when turning clockwise and not turn it all counter-clockwise. Opposite in reverse. If it is not doing this, check the lower shift cable / adjustment. The shift cable works with an ignition interrupt switch, improperly adjusted/worn shift cables can cause all kinds of problems with an Alpha I. Engine cutting off during shifting, not engaging in gear and causing clattering from the gears not engaged etc. It does not take much to go from a nice shifting Alpha I to a mess.

2. Propeller - check the hub - it's a built in rubber hub if SS, the flow torque system if aluminum.

3. Internal drive problem. First step here is to drain the gear lube and check for water and metal particles. The drain plug is magnetic and will pick up some very fine shavings (this is normal wear) anything more - visible metal particles suspended in the lube and you have problems.

4. Coupler - Symptoms are a burning smell (like a slipping clutch) and no propulsion F or R but engine revs freely, like it is in N. Also, if you can turn the prop counter clockwise while in F then this is probably the problem. Pull the drive and check the splines on the input shaft - there should not be any wear or rounding on the splines. Also check the alignment, if it is way out this was the likely cause. In car terms, the coupler is like a clutch that never disengages - if you can turn prop like I mentioned, it means the drive input shaft is disconnected from the engine. The coupler itself is not expensive, but the engine has to come out to replace it.

Check the simple things first - failed couplers and internal drive issues generally happen in much older boats or boats that have not been maintained very well - the Alpha I in a small boat is generally bulletproof. Hopefully your issue is #1 or 2.
 
Last edited:
BillK2632 said:
Nothing in F or R?
Do you have a SS or aluminum prop? Aluminum props usually have the flo torque hub system, this doesn't "spin" like a SS, it just breaks. Take the prop off and you will see what I am talking about.

I would check things - generally in this order:
1. Shifting - Is it shifting properly? With engine off turn the prop by hand - in F it should click when turning clockwise and not turn it all counter-clockwise. Opposite in reverse. If it is not doing this, check the lower shift cable / adjustment. The shift cable works with an ignition interrupt switch, improperly adjusted/worn shift cables can cause all kinds of problems with an Alpha I. Engine cutting off during shifting, not engaging in gear and causing clattering from the gears not engaged etc. It does not take much to go from a nice shifting Alpha I to a mess.

2. Propeller - check the hub - it's a built in rubber hub if SS, the flow torque system if aluminum.

3. Internal drive problem. First step here is to drain the gear lube and check for water and metal particles. The drain plug is magnetic and will pick up some very fine shavings (this is normal wear) anything more - visible metal particles suspended in the lube and you have problems.

4. Coupler - Symptoms are a burning smell (like a slipping clutch) and no propulsion F or R but engine revs freely, like it is in N. Also, if you can turn the prop counter clockwise while in F then this is probably the problem. Pull the drive and check the splines on the input shaft - there should not be any wear or rounding on the splines. Also check the alignment, if it is way out this was the likely cause. In car terms, the coupler is like a clutch that never disengages - if you can turn prop like I mentioned, it means the drive input shaft is disconnected from the engine. The coupler itself is not expensive, but the engine has to come out to replace it.

Check the simple things first - failed couplers and internal drive issues generally happen in much older boats or boats that have not been maintained very well - the Alpha I in a small boat is generally bulletproof. Hopefully your issue is #1 or 2.
Click to expand...

thank you bill!!!! I will be going up to my marina on my next day off!
 
BillK2632 said:
Nothing in F or R?
Do you have a SS or aluminum prop? Aluminum props usually have the flo torque hub system, this doesn't "spin" like a SS, it just breaks. Take the prop off and you will see what I am talking about.

I would check things - generally in this order:
1. Shifting - Is it shifting properly? With engine off turn the prop by hand - in F it should click when turning clockwise and not turn it all counter-clockwise. Opposite in reverse. If it is not doing this, check the lower shift cable / adjustment. The shift cable works with an ignition interrupt switch, improperly adjusted/worn shift cables can cause all kinds of problems with an Alpha I. Engine cutting off during shifting, not engaging in gear and causing clattering from the gears not engaged etc. It does not take much to go from a nice shifting Alpha I to a mess.

2. Propeller - check the hub - it's a built in rubber hub if SS, the flow torque system if aluminum.

3. Internal drive problem. First step here is to drain the gear lube and check for water and metal particles. The drain plug is magnetic and will pick up some very fine shavings (this is normal wear) anything more - visible metal particles suspended in the lube and you have problems.

4. Coupler - Symptoms are a burning smell (like a slipping clutch) and no propulsion F or R but engine revs freely, like it is in N. Also, if you can turn the prop counter clockwise while in F then this is probably the problem. Pull the drive and check the splines on the input shaft - there should not be any wear or rounding on the splines. Also check the alignment, if it is way out this was the likely cause. In car terms, the coupler is like a clutch that never disengages - if you can turn prop like I mentioned, it means the drive input shaft is disconnected from the engine. The coupler itself is not expensive, but the engine has to come out to replace it.

Check the simple things first - failed couplers and internal drive issues generally happen in much older boats or boats that have not been maintained very well - the Alpha I in a small boat is generally bulletproof. Hopefully your issue is #1 or 2.
Click to expand...

it is an aluminum prop. And I didn’t see any smoke or smell anything from bilge when it did happen. I’m in the process of purchasing a trailer now so I can pull the boat!!
 
Captain P said:
Hi all, this is my first post here at Club Sea Ray. I purchased my first boat around 9 months ago. And it has been very reliable since! I keep it in a wet slip at a local marina. Took over the previous owners due to not having a trailer included. Since I just finished my captains course and just need to send in the app to the USCG for my six-pack license. Alright let’s get to it.

I took my lady friend out at about midnight few nights ago. Leaving the marina we were headed to Bird Island about 20 min away. Less than 5 min away from the destination boaters worst fear happened. I was dead on the water.

I have a 2006 Sea Ray 185 Sport, 3.0L Mercruiser with an Alpha I drive. First starting her in the slip it was running a little rough as in some vibrations but that cleared right up when leaving. It being at night I kept her right around 15 mph the whole voyage. I’m in the middle of the channel and I lost all headway. It seemed almost like a ran aground but without the impact feel. Like I said I was in the middle of the channel so that wasn’t a possibility. My next thought was I must have had something wrapped around the prop or something. Immediately I put her in neutral and not soon after the engine died. I trimmed all the way and checked the prop from the swim platform and it was clear and spun freely. I tried starting her and it wouldn’t take, at first took me a few tries. The motor sounded strong and was trying. I then did get her to turn over. Put it in gear slightly had some propulsion but an odd almost grinding noise if that could explain it. I then didn’t want to damage anything further so I called for a tow especially since it was covered by my progressive sign and glide.

After doing some googling I am hoping it is a spun prop but did not increase rpms to see if it was “slipping.” Just hoping it is not something more… Maybe even something with the gears in the upper or lower? I am mechanically inclined, working on cars and what not. I also have been doing my own maintenance on the boat. Don’t know if I should get it checked out by a mechanic but do want to save that cash and try on my own.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance and I’m excited to be a new member!!
Click to expand...
Not prop, not busting a hub at 15 mph without hitting ground hard enough to bust blades. That said, you put in neutral engine died, and you think somehow this is prop related? I can’t diagnose problem from SC to MD but not seeing it. Call MARINE mechanic, could be a ton of things, prop it’s not.
 
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