Prop hitting anoide

[BillyGoat16]

Question about 91 Sea Ray with MerCruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 5.7L
We were out on the water at cruising speed when we lost forward thrust. Boat came to a dead stop. Put it in neutral then back into drive and would only go about 5 MPH, if I tried to go any faster the RPM's would just rev. Was able to get back to the dock and put the boat on the trailer. Once on the trailer, I could tell that the Prop was back about an inch from the housing of the lower unit. The prop tore up half the anoide. Wondering if anyone has had this happen before and knows what the problem is.

 

[achris]

Hello BillyGoat16, and :welcome: to iboats

You have just experienced a propeller hub failure. Yes, a lot of people have it happen...

Take the prop off and take it to a propeller shop. They will advise you as to the best course. Either a new prop, with the latest hub technology (which you can replace a failed hub yourself :thumb or re-bushing of your current prop...

You'll also need a new anode, prop shop should be able to help you with that too.

Chris.....

 

[BillyGoat16]

That's what I was thinking too but it looks like the actual prop shaft is sticking out further, so when you put the prop on it will not go all the way into the housing.

 

[greno]

Can you put the drive into forward, neutral and reverse?
Is the prop shaft locked in forward and reverse and free spinning in neutral?

 

[greno]

I doubt there's anything wrong with your lower. I think your prop hub has shifted inside the prop cavity.
And that would explain why the prop ended up hitting the anode.

 

[BillyGoat16]

It locks in forward and is free in neutral

 

[Scott Danforth]

if the prop moved, your hub is shot.....period

take prop to prop shop

 

[H20Rat]

Also, assuming you have power steering on that, you don't need the anode with the fin. Perfectly fine to just put a flat anode on it since you are going to be replacing it now anyway!

 

[greno]

It locks in forward and is free in neutral

Then there's nothing wrong with your lower. Replace/repair the prop, throw on a new anode and your back on the water.