Four years ago I picked up a deal on a 94 Sea Rayder which recently had a Merc 175 installed. Boat has run great with zero problems until Sunday. I had me and three on board on a brackish bayou. We pulled up to shore where the water was shallow for a pit stop. While it appeared to be kicking some muddy water when leaving, no real friction.
As soon as I gunned it, I realized I had no acceleration. Only a few knots idle speed. The motor seemed to be just fine making normal revs. After a one hour two mile trip to the boat slip and trailering the boat, I noticed a couple of clam shells stuck in the intake grate.
Yesterday I took the grate off and looked closely at the impeller. Everything appeared to be clean and tight. No noticeable dings on the impeller or ring. Driveshaft was tight. I then looked in through the nozzle from the rear. Also all looked clean.
I don't know much about the pump in this boat so I asked a neighbor who also did know much, but was more mechanically inclined. He suggested that since this was a direct drive, the only logic that it would run at idle speed, but no faster no matter how much power, that perhaps there was some sort of "shear pin or key" installed to protect the engine/impeller that snapped thus allowing a safe "return to shore" mode.
I have read most of the relative posts here and also searched the net to see if I could find any confirmation of such a shear pin but have not yet found any reference to it,or any other suggestions to solve my problem. Any help or advice here would be greatly appreciated.
(I have also posted this under the Sea Ray Forum, but have gotten no responses)
As soon as I gunned it, I realized I had no acceleration. Only a few knots idle speed. The motor seemed to be just fine making normal revs. After a one hour two mile trip to the boat slip and trailering the boat, I noticed a couple of clam shells stuck in the intake grate.
Yesterday I took the grate off and looked closely at the impeller. Everything appeared to be clean and tight. No noticeable dings on the impeller or ring. Driveshaft was tight. I then looked in through the nozzle from the rear. Also all looked clean.
I don't know much about the pump in this boat so I asked a neighbor who also did know much, but was more mechanically inclined. He suggested that since this was a direct drive, the only logic that it would run at idle speed, but no faster no matter how much power, that perhaps there was some sort of "shear pin or key" installed to protect the engine/impeller that snapped thus allowing a safe "return to shore" mode.
I have read most of the relative posts here and also searched the net to see if I could find any confirmation of such a shear pin but have not yet found any reference to it,or any other suggestions to solve my problem. Any help or advice here would be greatly appreciated.
(I have also posted this under the Sea Ray Forum, but have gotten no responses)