ACE Folding Prop

Met Mike and Kris at National after work for 4pm; surprising the traffic wasn't too bad!

On the delivery from WYC to NYC last week, they had a couple of problems:

1. having trouble putting the transmission in gear
2. lack of power from the motor and spewing white smoke and black stuff out exhaust.
3. severe vibrations when in gear

We hired Tony, a marine diesel mechanic based on recommendations from Tal Wolf.

Mike met with him earlier in the week. 

The problem with the shifting was a missing cotter pin in the shift linkage.  Tony also adjusted the shift and throttle cables.

The problem with the motor was one of the decompression levers were on, meaning the motor was only running on one of two cylinders.  Could have been bumped when we were cleaning.

The vibration problem has to do with the folding prop.  Tony could see through the keel viewing window that only one blade of the prop was deploying.  We had to haul the boat out to see.

Last year we purchased a lifting shackle and strap to allow us to haul ACE using National's 9,000 lb capacity crane (ACE weighs 8,150 lbs):


Lifting shackle on keel bolts

Lifting strap

The keel bolt attachment point is forward of the companionway, so you have to run a line back to the winches to move the strap and crane back (see above photo).

Waiting for Tony to arrive, we hooked up the lines on the backstay to move the lazy running backstay blocks out of the way.

We hauled Kris up in a bosun's chair using the crane:

Kris up the mast attaching runner block tensioners

We installed a radar reflector for the Susan Hood NEXT WEEKEND. 

Also retrieved the spin pole topping lift that made its way to the top of the mast.

Kris attaching radar reflector

Tony came and we lifted the boat

Start of lift

We lifted it enough to get access to the prop.  Tony climbed underneath:

I DEFINATELY WOULD NOT DO THAT!
What if the lifting strap or crane failed?
We would have TWO TONYs!

Sail Drive and folding prop

You can see the pin and prop blades here

 

The problem is that the folding prop is original from 1994 and has been in salt water.

The pins holding it in are stainless steel and the prop blade is bronze.  The blades have worn out around the stainless pin, and the gear that open/close the prop will not mesh as they should.

 

We need new prop blades.

 

Back in the water, and we wait for a quote for replacements.

 

We can use the motor, but just can't rev it too much because of the vibrations.