Johnson 25hp Model J25RLCIM Troubles

Hi! I'm new here, but from what I've seen this seems to be a great forum with a lot of helpful people...which is the reason for my post...

My husband recently was given a Johnson 25hp outboard, model J25RLCIM. It was a friend of the family's and was well taken care of. My husband went out on a fishing trip the other week and the prop suddenly stopped turning and came out of the water. The engine was still running, but would not engage in forward or neutral. Seeing that he is not very mechanically inclined, he just rowed it in and has not tried doing anything with it since.

Can anyone give us an idea as to what may be wrong? Any advice, recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Re: Johnson 25hp Model J25RLCIM Troubles

Howdy, Fishingwife.

Welcome to iboats.

Well, first of all, your engine is a 1981 model.

Hmmmmm. Prop came out of the water and afterward it will not turn in F or N. (will it turn in R?).

That sounds to me like he hit something. That will pop the engine up, and it might also "spin" the rubber hub in the prop. I think by 1981 the old drive pin prop protection system had been replaced by the rubber hub.

Can the prop be turned by hand with the engine (OFF) in gear without turning the engine? That would indicate a "spun" hub.

Take the prop to a Marine shop. If the hub is spun they can re-hub it for a lot less than a new prop.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.