[TL;DR version (if youre bored of this mechanism-technical stuff): Alls wellexcept mechanical propulsionand the winds are still favorable. Now you can skip below and wait for the next post.]
Thank you for all your efforts to point me toward solving this mystery. Unfortunately, it remains unsolved.
What I Did
First thing I checked: oil level in the transmission (full).
Second thing: the shifter cable. Sounds like a lot of you got this far. In my case, the cables running from the shift lever to the transmission are fairly exposed in an area where I store emergency water, etc. I thought it quite possible that, despite my efforts to keep the gear away from the cables, maybe something had shifted and damaged a cable. But the cables seemed OKwhen the shift lever was in forward, the shift tab on the transmission was also moved. (And ditto for reverse.)
At that point, I gave up and thought about the problem overnight.
As an aside, I realized yesterday after I sent my mystery post that I should have noted that Resolute does, in fact, have an S-Drive (good memory, Charles F!). So theres no shaft to see from inside the boatits all enclosed from the engine to the transmission to a leg that extends out the bottom of the hull, to which the prop is attached. Not much to see from inside.
I was a little slower than many of youit wasnt until yesterday morning that I decided that maybe the problem was shiftcable throw distance (theres probably a technical term). So, even though the lever on the transmission was moving when the lever on deck was moved, maybe it wasnt moving far enough. Thats when I caught up with you all and decided to disconnect the shift cable entirely and operate the lever on the transmission manually. Started the engine, then went below and pushed the lever forward. Heard a nice click sound as (I think) the transmission engaged, but no apparent propulsion. Went on deck to rev the engineI sped up, but it was just a wind gust. Repeated the same thing in reverseno dice.
So Im leaning heavily toward the prop fell off. Other possibilities are: something wrapped around the prop blades and wont allow them to spring out (I should have mentioned that its a folding prop) or the transmission silently failed. These dont seem very likely (but they are possible).
After carrying my GoPro camera around for several trips and barely using it, I left it at home this time. And no, Im not going to put my iPhone in a ZipLoc bag, tape it to a boat hook and see just how waterproof it is.
What Next I cant think of anything else to do until I can see what the outside of the S-Drive and prop look like. Im certainly not going to touch the transmissionit sits atop an 8 hole in the bottom of the boat.
So Ill dive when I canunless some great new idea comes along. And Ill have to keep my curiosity in check for a while. But I might follow up on Peter Ms suggestion that I anchor in the shelter of the Bermuda reefs to take a look at the bottom of the boat. Still considering…
The good news is that the latest forecast is for stronger winds. After another lull tomorrow, there should be enough wind to obviate any temptation to motor.
That just leaves the sticky bit about sailing into an unfamiliar harbor with no mechanical propulsion. But Ive studied the charts and, with a little cooperation from Antigua Immigration, it looks doable. (For you sailors with an interest, look at the entrance to English Harbor (where theyd like me to go. To me, it looks twisty, narrow and shallowResolute draws 2.2m. And busy, so there might be lots of traffic, moored boats and anchored boats that dont appear on the chart. Hopefully I can anchor somewhere in larger Falmouth Harbour and dinghy around.)
Scott, Just curious – did you have any engine or prop work while it was out of the water last time?
If so, Ruth can check with them for the specifics…. Only thing it does is push the blame if the prop was not secured properly if that is the actual situation (loss of prop). Would be a fun swim offshore to check 🙂
Have known several folks who lost props on traditional shafts when only one nut was used (all too common problem…) Every time I walk through a yard I look for and find single nuts. Nuts!
Plenty of room in falmouth, just come in on the East side of Island,( less reef) and keep to channel entering falmouth, well marked. Antigua Yacht club marina is massively long, would be easy to sail onto, just check your ais to see if any giga yachts there.. but probably room still.
It sure sounds like you have checked everything you can at this point. Seems like you have narrowed it to a failure in the transmission, a failure inside the S-drive or lastly the prop is gone. Being a power boater I “spun” a spline inside my outdrive while just cruising along. I am just not at all familiar with components in an S-drive. It will be very interesting to me when it all gets sorted out. Good luck
Hi Scott, the Volvo guy in Thomaston says there are three possibilities: 1) drive gear or clutch cone failure (least likely as this usually degrades over time and causes noise), 2) drive damper spline failure (can’t be determined without drive disassembly), or 3) propeller loss (most likely due to improper installation). Looks like a swim required to eliminate alternate 3, or just keep sailing, mate. Best, Jim
Just reading more on sail drives. There are some maintenance issues which I am sure you took care of. But the drive must have a least 1 vertical and 1 horizontal shafts. These I assume have gears splined on the ends. For sure a possible fail point.
Agree with plenty of room at Falmouth but I would suggest Jolly Harbor. You can anchor outside the entrance channel and dink in. Customs is very easy inside the harbor. At Falmouth you need to clear at English which requires a walk plus park entrance fees.
Jolly would be very easy and smooth.
G
A stuck folding propeller might open by a high burst of thottle to centrifugaly throw it open. It can’t hurt to also check the saildrive oil level. I was precise in filling it, but possible leak?
Sounds like you have Plan B in effect. Keep posting so our prayers for success can follow you. A balmy 41 here.Hope you solve the mechanical issues soon. I like the idea of anchor and look.. may be a simple fix.
Best,
MNB
Scott, did you do your online eseaclear registration? Necessary for checking into Antigua. I second Galen’s Jolly Harbour entry recommendation. Good anchoring outside inner harbour, and customs has a dock plus moorings.