Alex F
Well-Known Member
- Nov 14, 2006
- 9,166
- Boat Info
- 2005 420DB with AB 11 DLX Tender, Raymarine Electronics (2x12" MFDs) with Vesper AIS
- Engines
- Cummins 450Cs, 9KW Onan Generator, 40HP Yamaha for tender.
Tawcat - water is used to cool and lube your shaft seals. When your engine is not running, there is no water flow to the seals.
So, during your two hour tow, your shafts were spinning in the seals with no cooling or lubrication from water flow. Whenever you tow an inboard boat with dripless seals you should lock your shafts to prevent them from freewheeling. A pipewrench locked on a shaft and lodged against the bildge will prevent them from spinning.
BTW - most marine gear makers also recommend locking the shafts because your transmission gets no oil pressure without running your engines.
aquadancer,
This part is new to me as well, so I'd like to ask what's wrong with butting in, lets say reverse, gear to lock the shafts? We just came from vacationing on a sailboat and were told that when under sail we should keep it in gear when engine is off. So, I was wandering if this simple method could work for power boats as well.
Thanks,
Alex.