Hi , went out to a local beach. They call sandy beach (go figure) and for some reason way out there is 4-5 big boulders and of course at idle guess what I do. I hit one. Not the end of the world. So my prop is nicked and bent but I was able to limp home. About 1km from the dock we decided to anchor and have a few drinks and when I went to go to the dock after the prop or bravo was slipping. I couldn't even get it off plane. I went and read about spun hub. I put in gear and turned it till it's locked and just with my hands I can feel the play in the hub when I twist hard. I can only imagine what my engine can do. I went and smelt the back of the engine because I read if a coupler blows you usually smell burnt rubber. None of that. I also drained some of the drive oil and it's still clean but there was some shavings on the magnetic plug but nothing crazy. I need to buy a new prop for sure. Do you guys think it's just a hub problem ? Also for a new prop. I'm currently running a Solas rb4 which is 23 pitch and 14 diameter. I only was able to spin it 4250 but I was still getting over 62-64 on gps which is what my boat should be doing. So I think my tach is off. I want to switch to a 3 blade and I see online that usually they run 24 4 blades or 25 3 blades for my checkmate 253. Could some one tell me the diameter I should be running in the prop.

Sorry for the big post. I'm just new to this and it's a long weekend coming up. I don't want to miss it and be stuck on shore.

Thanks guys

You weren't able to get on plane because your prop is bent and all tore up. That's why it's blowing out. Put a new prop on it, and I'd bet you'll be fine.

my guess is because you hit something with the prop it is not the coupler.as stated above a new prop is needed.

I agree that you most likely have a prop issue, but the idea that you will always get a burnt rubber smell out of a bad coupler is false. I just replaced a coupler last week that stripped the aluminum out of the center of the coupler. There was no smell or warning of any impending issue until it just went neutral on the guy.

That the only failure I've ever seen personally. I agree.

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That is exactly what I experienced a couple of years ago - no warning, no smell hits or errors - it just went into neutral - dead in the water. I had the couple replaced (and a few other items) and for sure every other year check engine alignment.

3pointstar

Thanks guys for all the help. I'll try a new prop. It's just weird I drove home about 5 miles and it drove ok. Shook a bit but still got on plane. Wanted to turn left. But after it would just slip. Thanks again

a coupler typically works or doesn't, so if you could move at all most likely it's good. The prop hub is a weak link for exactly the situation you ran in to.

I blew the flo-torq hub out on a Verado once...we were able to make headway at idle, but it felt like it was in neutral when I tried to put it on plane. If your boat has a solid hub, it's probably just the prop...it's going to cavitate and blow out when you try to put it on plane due to the dings and bends.

Swap the prop and see if it goes back to normal before pulling the engine for a coupler. lol

What rpm did you hit the rock at?