Strong vibration in forward gear at around running RPM of 1800 to 2200, coming from the strut/propellor/rudder area. Not a steady vibration but it seems to go away when I take the M25 op to the max 3000 RPM, but it's right back when I slow down. Only evident in forward gear, not in reverse or neutral, and definitely not coming from the engine, transmission or shaft seal.
Realligned the engin/shaft last week but didn't solve the vibration.
Waiting for a new prop and cutlass bearing before I haul out, but does anyone have some suggestions for things I should be looking for when I do haul out? I'll check the shaft for true of course.
Replacing the original two blade sailor prop with a new three blade, better control in tight spaces, and got the cutlass bearing 'just in case'.
HELP!
James J, C36 MK I, Hull 537
any chance you bent the prop? I hit a submerged piling a couple years ago (marked on the chart as 'position approximate':D). Put a ding in one of the blades of the 3 blade prop. The vibration was quite noticeable.
I'd think you'd get the vibration in reverse too, but may be worth a look. I had the boat hauled, the prop pulled and repaired and all has been well for several years afterward.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
James - I had nearly the same symptoms except at a slightly lower rpm. After a lot of expensive back and forth (including a haul out) with the mechanic, it was determined that the clutch was the problem. The new trans was installed and the problem is solved.
Steve Wilson
Vienna, Virginia
Starry Night
#2243
2005 Catalina 36 Mk II
Stephen,
While I don't have the problem or any symptoms, my boat is about the same age as yours and I would like to keep a watchful eye (or ear) on things.
You said the clutch was the problem and you installed a new tranny.
If you have any more info on the exact cause I would appreciate it. This doesn't seem to to be a common problem so it would be good to understand what went wrong in your case.
Peter Taylor Melbourne Australia. Altair #2227 2005 C36 Mk11
How about checking if the zincs are loose on the prop shaft. On mine - on a haulout - one zinc was lost and the second one the screws were so loose it was spinning on the shaft!
Haro Bayandorian, 1999 C36 MKII, Sail La Vie #1787, M35B,
Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA.
Is it an actual vibration you can feel or an aural sound like a humm?
I had a humming noise at those RPM this spring after launching and had all the alignments checked etc. Turned out I had painted the prop with a few coats of primer and a couple of hard bottom paint and that was causing the problem. After it wore down with use, the humm has pretty much stopped.
Did you do anything to your prop? Tom Sokol mentioned that he had the same problem when the prop blades were sharpened too much at one point.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
I'm about to change the prop and if required the cutlass bearing. When I hauled out this spring the only thing I saw on the prop was some electrolytic damage. I put a new shaft zink on and launched.
Vibration started after I was in some very heavy seas, may even have hit something but wasn't aware of it, too concerned with holding on for dear life....
We aligned the engin two weeks ago (was only out to starboard about 2 thousandths) to no avail, still vibrating.
I'll post what I see on this haul out.
James J, C36 MK I, Hull 537