I have a new Beneteau 43 (
I have a new Beneteau 43 (approx. 18months). The boat has a Yanmar 54hp diesel and a 3 blade Gori folding prop. My trouble started approx. 3 months after purchase when I discovered the gearbox had had a catastrophic failure. The casing looked like a whole had been pushed through it. Yanmar replaced this gearbox without question but could not explain what had happened. Three months later the same issue. This time I got a diver to have a look at the prop to discover it had seized in a semi open position. Yanmar replaced the gearbox and prop and explained that the seizure of the prop had caused both gear box failures.
Since this time the engine has only been used to get in and out of the pen for racing and has had very low usage. I have a diver check out under the boat each month specifically the prop. All is fine. Last night I looked in the engine well to discover yet another gearbox has failed. Yanmar are now suggesting it is user error. I cannot believe this to be the case as I do not slam it into and out of gear and since the last gear box was replaced the engine would have been lucky to do more that 2000 rpm for a total of 20 hours. Surely no manufacturer would make something so delicate.
Does any on have any idea what is going on?
I have a new Beneteau 43 (approx. 18months). The boat has a Yanmar 54hp diesel and a 3 blade Gori folding prop. My trouble started approx. 3 months after purchase when I discovered the gearbox had had a catastrophic failure. The casing looked like a whole had been pushed through it. Yanmar replaced this gearbox without question but could not explain what had happened. Three months later the same issue. This time I got a diver to have a look at the prop to discover it had seized in a semi open position. Yanmar replaced the gearbox and prop and explained that the seizure of the prop had caused both gear box failures.
Since this time the engine has only been used to get in and out of the pen for racing and has had very low usage. I have a diver check out under the boat each month specifically the prop. All is fine. Last night I looked in the engine well to discover yet another gearbox has failed. Yanmar are now suggesting it is user error. I cannot believe this to be the case as I do not slam it into and out of gear and since the last gear box was replaced the engine would have been lucky to do more that 2000 rpm for a total of 20 hours. Surely no manufacturer would make something so delicate.
Does any on have any idea what is going on?