First day on water... question on vibration.

[cmhouser]

Hey all - so this was about the first nice day I could get my new '72 V-164 out on the water without it being covered in ice. Nice day 75 degrees.

My boat is a 1972 Glastron V-164 in real good exterior/interior condition. I got launched without any problems and the motor cranked right up. I started cruising and everything was fine but I noticed at about 3/4 horsepower I felt some vibration and shutter in the stearing wheel. It seemed to maybe slip a little as far as being in gear. Nothing horrible and it could have just been my inexperience with a boat. Nevertheless it was noticable enough to warrant my attention. Some basic facts on the issue:

- starts fine
- idles fine
- only vibration I notice is at about 2/3 - 3/4 throttle
- seems to maybe slip a little (slip = almost like a cluth half engaged)
- doesn't make a difference when turning or going straight.

The engine is a Merc 140. I was thinking Gimbal maybe but I've got such little experience - who knows. I am somewhat of a mechanical novice but I do have a Merc Sterns Maintenance/Repair book.

Any help or things I should look out for would be appreciated. I plan on taking it in for a check up but don't want to get owned either. Thank you!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: First day on water... question on vibration.

I do have a Merc Sterns Maintenance/Repair book.

Is that the original factory manual - or an aftermarket manual? The aftermarket leave much to be desired - you can download the factory service manual from the link at the top of the page - under the "adults only" sticky.

To your problem. Is this boat new to you?

If not, is this a new problem?

I would suggest pulling the outdrive and checking the gimbal bearing and alignment. Check and grease the u-joints while you are there and everything else that needs a shot of grease.

Report your findings back here.

 

[Don S]

Re: First day on water... question on vibration.

Dinged and bent props can also cause a vibration, and many times at only a single rpm range.
You can also check the propshaft, it could be bent too.

 

[Bondo]

Re: First day on water... question on vibration.

- only vibration I notice is at about 2/3 - 3/4 throttle

Ayuh,... At about what rpms,..??

- seems to maybe slip a little (slip = almost like a cluth half engaged)

At steady rpms, or accelerating,..?? at what rpms,..??
Any sign of overheat when "Slipping",..??
What's the prop,..?? What's it look like, condition wise,..??
Any history on the barge, or is it New to you,..??

 

[OnTheWaterNow]

Re: First day on water... question on vibration.

I would pull the prop and check the prop shaft. Make sure its not bent and the prop shows no signs of rubbing the lower unit. Good luck

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: First day on water... question on vibration.

I had a "rebuilt" prop that looked like new, but it would vibrate like hell. A out of the box replacement took care of the vibration.

 

[cmhouser]

Re: First day on water... question on vibration.

Ayuh,... At about what rpms,..??


At steady rpms, or accelerating,..?? at what rpms,..??
Any sign of overheat when "Slipping",..??
What's the prop,..?? What's it look like, condition wise,..??
Any history on the barge, or is it New to you,..??

Sorry to not be more specific.

The RPM gauge wasn't working actually but I'd say at about 3-4k is when I thought I noticed slipping. It was definitely under acceleration and felt like it connected after the boat planed out for a min. No slipping seems to occur when under light load (driving from 1-3k RPM).

There was no signs of overheat at all and it ran fine before and afterwards.
The prop looks pretty new and is a stainless 3 blade 19 pitch prop.
The boat is new to me this year. Bought it from a previous owner who took real good care of it. Called him and he didn't experience this issue last year (or so he tells me).

 

[Flukinicehole]

Re: First day on water... question on vibration.

Is there any way you could get the previous owner to go for a ride with you? The 140 is not the smoothest running engine out there. It might have always been like this.

 

[cmhouser]

Re: First day on water... question on vibration.

Is there any way you could get the previous owner to go for a ride with you? The 140 is not the smoothest running engine out there. It might have always been like this.

Possibly. He lives about an hour and a half south of me but if worse came to worse I'm sure he would. He was a decent dude and followed up with me after I got it out on the lake to make sure I liked the boat.

It very well could be nothing and just my inexperience. However it's my experience at being stupid and inexperienced that makes me question whether there is an issue or not. It just seemed to be vibrate a little and then slip. Then catch and go. Even my old man noticed it.