Lost power

[Forceoutboard]

Hello all,
Last weekend, I was on the water with 6 other people (heavy load). While on our way back to the dock, The boat seemed like jumped out of gear. The engine would race, but lost power. We had enough power to get us back to the dock. Next day, I took the lower unit off, and it appeard to be OK (forward/backward movements). So I thought it may have just jumped out of gear due to old/worn cable. I took the boad back to the lake, and had the same problem. I feel that my prop is bad. I say this becuase when in gear, if I turn the center bolt (on the prop), it would turn the engine, but the prob rotates with little resistance. Before I spend money on a prop, I would like to discuss this with someone who knows better than I. Thanks for your responses.
Bruce.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Lost power

I am going to take it that this is a Force outboard and move it to the Force outboard forum.
Please a little more info as to what you have.
Welcome to iboats.

 

[Firemedic09]

Re: Lost power

when you turned the prop nut did it tighten at all? this isnt going to make a big difference but you have to make sure its tight so you dont mess up the splines. next did you possibly run over something, hit something, or get something cought behind the prop such as fishing line or something. are you sure the shift linkage is right?

 

[maxum247]

Re: Lost power

Little hard to follow but it sounds like your prop hub may be slipping on the rubber insert in the prop hub!
Put a mark on the side of the prop nut with a marker and a mark on the flat of the prop hub and run the engine at different speeds with the boat in the water, if the marks are now no longer aligned the rubber insert in your prop hub is slipping.
If slipping it will usually hold enough at low speed to get you back to the dock!
But give it the throttle and you will be getting rpm and going nowhere fast!
You can have the rubber insert replaced by a shop or buy a new or used prop if it is slipping! max!

 

[Forceoutboard]

Re: Lost power

Thanks for all your replies. I can hold the center nut with a wrench, and turn the prop with my other hand. I also talked to a person at a boat dealership, and he seems to think that this is a case of "spinned hub". Does that sound right?
Thanks,
Bruce

 

[Forceoutboard]

Re: Lost power

This is a Force 125 outboard motor on a Bayliner. Thanks.

 

[Firemedic09]

Re: Lost power

yes a turned hub is the same thing. it means that you have ran over something a few times or something to the affect of that, its just the little rubber piece has become to loose to hold the prop. so it will be slipping constantly under any real pressure or load.