I originally posted this in another fuel issue thread I had started, but probably a better idea to post it here in the Propeller section. I have an older Boston Whaler with a 1986 Johnson 90 HP.
This years boating story started with me raising the motor up a few mounting holes on the transom and getting a new stainless steel prop as I was looking for a better hole shot and higher top end. In addition, a new tach was installed and I downloaded a speedo app to see the results. Then purchased an OMC SST 13 x 17 stainless prop off EBay that was listed as nearly new. Appeared to be in great shape in the pictures and looked great when I received. Fast forward - Left the current prop on while I was trying to figure out the fueling issue that turned into the spark wire issue. Finally got the parts and problem figured out last week and all was back to normal.
This past Saturday morning, took the boat out on the lake for some testing runs with the current prop. Changed up to the new prop and went out for a warm up run to make sure all was well with the new prop. Smooth operation, no issues and went back in. The expensive problem occurred when I went back out later to do some testing. Just as I was coming up to mid-range speed, the boat lost all thrust slamming me forward, the engine raced to a high rev and I yanked back the throttle. Raised the motor up and all I saw was a rubber hub, castle nut and cotter pin, intact - WTF! The propeller had spun off and was now swimming with the fishes 50 feet down. No slipping, no tell tales, just gone.
Anyone ever heard of this? I have found info on spun hubs, but that is the splines breaking loose and the prop just spinning on the shaft, not being lost for good. Any ideas? Move this to a separate thread?
This years boating story started with me raising the motor up a few mounting holes on the transom and getting a new stainless steel prop as I was looking for a better hole shot and higher top end. In addition, a new tach was installed and I downloaded a speedo app to see the results. Then purchased an OMC SST 13 x 17 stainless prop off EBay that was listed as nearly new. Appeared to be in great shape in the pictures and looked great when I received. Fast forward - Left the current prop on while I was trying to figure out the fueling issue that turned into the spark wire issue. Finally got the parts and problem figured out last week and all was back to normal.
This past Saturday morning, took the boat out on the lake for some testing runs with the current prop. Changed up to the new prop and went out for a warm up run to make sure all was well with the new prop. Smooth operation, no issues and went back in. The expensive problem occurred when I went back out later to do some testing. Just as I was coming up to mid-range speed, the boat lost all thrust slamming me forward, the engine raced to a high rev and I yanked back the throttle. Raised the motor up and all I saw was a rubber hub, castle nut and cotter pin, intact - WTF! The propeller had spun off and was now swimming with the fishes 50 feet down. No slipping, no tell tales, just gone.
Anyone ever heard of this? I have found info on spun hubs, but that is the splines breaking loose and the prop just spinning on the shaft, not being lost for good. Any ideas? Move this to a separate thread?