[C320-list] Fouled Prop?

[Joe Geiger]

I returned to my boat this weekend and took her on a short cruise.  When I set the engine to cruising speed 2800 RPM I noticed that my speed was not what is usually is and I heard noises from the prop and prop shaft when running it at lower RPMs or in reverse.  The last time we took her out was a couple of weeks ago and I didn’t notice any issues.

When we got back to the mooring I checked the dripless coupling and I could feel the heat coming from the engine and prop shaft.  The shaft was hot to the touch.

Before launching this season I sanded and prepped the prop and shaft with Petit prop anti-fouling paint and then the boat staying in the slip because had my standing rigging replaced which took about a month due to the rigger’s schedule and back ordered parts. I changed out the transmission fluid and engine oil at the end of last season and checked the levels which seem fine. Also… the cooling system for the motor seems to be working fine because the temp gauge was reading normal  The boat has been sitting… i.e. we have mostly been doing work on it since it went in the water in May.  

I plan to dive on it and check for fouling but was wondering if these symptoms are the result of something else.  Any ideas?


Joe
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Joe Geiger
“Vega” Hull #722
Greenwich Cove, RI