Texas Ray 72
New Member
Hi Everyone,
We own a 2004 Sundeck 220 with the 5.0mpi / Bravo III combo. On our last outing of the season in '22, I was towing a 2-up tube pushing the boat hard. As I was nearing the end the run the boat made a jolt/bump (hard to explain). After slowing down I thought I felt a slight vibration. As I went to put it on the trailer, it felt like it was struggling. Not it's usual self. Fast forward, just before this season I took it in for its usual every other season service...service the outdrive, check gimble & bellows, fuel/water separator, water impeller. I took it to a very reputable shop in San Antonio, no issues found, another clean bill of health. Brought it home, changed the oil & filter and started it on muffs...again no issues... running smooth as silk. We took the boat out on Friday for the first time. I immediately felt a significant driveline vibration as soon as it went into gear. I throttled up and the boat struggled to get on plane. The vibration was less noticeable than at lower RPM's but the boat was running at least 1000 rpms higher than normal to achieve cruising speed. I brought the motor back to idle and put it in neutral, vibration completely disappeared. Keeping it in neutral I run the motor up 3-4 thousand rpms and watch it. Smooth, no issues, no vibration, no missing, no sputtering...just like it always runs. I bring the boat back and trailer it. After a visual inspection of the props I only discover a small knick in the leading edge of the forward prop. I'm at a loss as to what could be the issue. I would have thought an outdrive service would have revealed if there was a gimble or u-joint issue. Could anyone provide some insight? It would be much appreciated..
We own a 2004 Sundeck 220 with the 5.0mpi / Bravo III combo. On our last outing of the season in '22, I was towing a 2-up tube pushing the boat hard. As I was nearing the end the run the boat made a jolt/bump (hard to explain). After slowing down I thought I felt a slight vibration. As I went to put it on the trailer, it felt like it was struggling. Not it's usual self. Fast forward, just before this season I took it in for its usual every other season service...service the outdrive, check gimble & bellows, fuel/water separator, water impeller. I took it to a very reputable shop in San Antonio, no issues found, another clean bill of health. Brought it home, changed the oil & filter and started it on muffs...again no issues... running smooth as silk. We took the boat out on Friday for the first time. I immediately felt a significant driveline vibration as soon as it went into gear. I throttled up and the boat struggled to get on plane. The vibration was less noticeable than at lower RPM's but the boat was running at least 1000 rpms higher than normal to achieve cruising speed. I brought the motor back to idle and put it in neutral, vibration completely disappeared. Keeping it in neutral I run the motor up 3-4 thousand rpms and watch it. Smooth, no issues, no vibration, no missing, no sputtering...just like it always runs. I bring the boat back and trailer it. After a visual inspection of the props I only discover a small knick in the leading edge of the forward prop. I'm at a loss as to what could be the issue. I would have thought an outdrive service would have revealed if there was a gimble or u-joint issue. Could anyone provide some insight? It would be much appreciated..