Engine Coupler Maintenance requirements?

Hello,

I am very new to boating and am kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place on an issue that just recently arose from taking a boat out and was wondering if I could get some help and advice from the experts here.

I recently took out a boat from one of those boat clubs where it is a monthly fee for boat usage. When we took out the 23 foot Glasstron we drove out to a location (the boat was harder to get on a plane than expected) and turned off the engine for a second. We then turned it back on by throttling the engine and pulling it back into neutral gear. At that point we tried to put it in forward gear and all we got was the sound of the engine revving with a small whine. We tried with reverse and the same thing happened. We got towed in and the boat was sent to the mechanic. 2 months later we are told by the company it was the engine coupler and was replaced, and it was our fault for it failing citing a small warp in a prop blade (2mm displacement at most Pic below) when we did not feel or hear ourselves hit anything to cause it. Plus it is only on one blade which says to me it could not have happened at standstill or else all the fins would be damaged and not to mention hear the hit.



To me it seems a little fishy, because what I have read is that engine couplers are a wear and tear part of the boat that needs to be replaced once in a while. Could I have possibly caused a coupler to fail by either throttling incorrectly or hitting something unnoticeable? and what is the normal lifecycle and maintenance of this part?

do you guys think I am getting a run around for something I should not be liable for?

Re: Engine Coupler Maintenance requirements?

Unfortunghly at some point in time you had to sign a waiver that stated that you would be, an are, resopnsable for any and all damages to the boat and motor when it is under your supervision making you liable for any damages. This practice is standard for most all buissness that rent or lease boats out to the public. As for the prop being bent, my dealings with a stainless prop is not good as the props have and will ruin LU's if one hits anything at high RPM's and that is why I do not recomend stainless props. This is just one reason that people buy thier own boat and motor. That way they do not get stuck for damages that could have been done by others and not showed up till the next person rented the boat. JMO
Oldman570

Re: Engine Coupler Maintenance requirements?

We can do nothing for you until you tell us what powerplant you are referring to. Is it an outboard (correct for this forum) or an I/O, which belongs in the I/O forum? It sounds like an I/O to me.

Give us the engine info and I can move this for you.

Re: Engine Coupler Maintenance requirements?

Sorry yes it is I/O, I posted to the incorrect forum. The type is Mercruiser inboard, but I am not sure as to exact model.

JB said:

We can do nothing for you until you tell us what powerplant you are referring to. Is it an outboard (correct for this forum) or an I/O, which belongs in the I/O forum? It sounds like an I/O to me.

Give us the engine info and I can move this for you.

Click to expand...

Re: Engine Coupler Maintenance requirements?

Where I'm from it is an everyday occurance to watch submerged trees go by, and is relatively common to hit them. I've seen anything from small scratches to boats beginning to sink due to holes from trees. I personally have done some nasty damage to both aluminum and SS propellers, none of which caused anything than a slightly bent propeller shaft and ruined propellers. I seriously doubt an engine coupler failed due to whatever that propeller hit.

Generally with engine couplers, the main cause of failure is misalignment. Yearly maintenance includes checking (and fixing) engine alignment and greasing the driveshaft that comes into contact with the coupler. With maintenance those couplers generally last as long as the engine will. Maintenance stuff is out of your hands since you were just renting the boat. So yes, in my opinion you are getting shafted for something you had no control over. They need a reason to point the blame and the propeller is all they could find I bet.

Re: Engine Coupler Maintenance requirements?

JB said:

We can do nothing for you until you tell us what powerplant you are referring to. Is it an outboard (correct for this forum) or an I/O, which belongs in the I/O forum? It sounds like an I/O to me.

Give us the engine info and I can move this for you.

Click to expand...

I think he is in the right forum if i read the title right. Forum: Mercruiser I/O & Inboard Engines & Outdrives

Re: Engine Coupler Maintenance requirements?

Thalasso said:

I think he is in the right forum if i read the title right. Forum: Mercruiser I/O & Inboard Engines & Outdrives

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He originally posted this in the Mercury Outboard forum. It was moved to the IO forum once he posted what he had.

To the OP, lightly dinged props (even stainless props) WILL NOT destroy a coupler. Coupler failure is caused by lack of maintenance.

Re: Engine Coupler Maintenance requirements?

Thanks for the info Don!

Re: Engine Coupler Maintenance requirements?

Yes, missed a word or two. Will fix that.. Thanks

Re: Engine Coupler Maintenance requirements?

I would ask when the last time the engine was aligned correctly.

Re: Engine Coupler Maintenance requirements?

A spun coupler hub has nothing to do with operator error. Like was said, only two things will take a coupling out, alignment, locked up outdrive or old age. OK! Three things.