Need a little assistance

[tntige]

Boat fired up good today, but put it in gear and nothing. seems like the prop is spinning and its revving but no motion, forward or backwards. It was not due to my button being in neutral either. Any ideas or thoughts on what may be going on. Any advice or assistance would be great. Oh yeah, i have a 2001 21v.

[ericinmich]

Need more info. Boat is in water or ??

Prop is spinning? If so, boat would move. What do you mean by "seems like prop is spinning"?

Maybe prop lost it's key and shaft spins but prop doesn't (prop spins on shaft).

[chpthril]

stolen prop?

[tntige]

Boat in water. prop seems to be spinning. When putting in gear I'm getting the bubbling from underneath the platform. Maybe a throttle cable or shifting cable. It seems like once i put in gear its just not going. Maybe the prop is not spinning.. Idk. But prop is for sure there.

[skippabcool]

Is the bubbling just from the engine rev'ing? Could be that it is still in neutral or as has been mentioned the prop key is missing? I am assuming it is out of the water now and on the trailer? If so can you spin the prop freely by hand?

[IDBoating]

Bet the bubbling is from the exhaust, so that doesn't tell you anything definitive about the prop. Time to check it on the trailer. Note: Don't spin the propshaft for very long at all on the trailer since the strut bearing isn't in water.

Can you hear/feel the transmission engage when you move the throttle lever? Can you remove the engine covers and see the front of the v-drive spinning? On the trailer, can you very gently have someone else put it in gear while you watch the propshaft to confirm rotation (briefly)? All of these tests are to confirm that the transmission and v-drive are transferring engine rotation to the propshaft.

Agree on confirming that the prop doesn't spin freely on the shaft. Keep in mind that on the trailer, the prop has zero resistance so it may spin when on the trailer and still not spin when in the water. The water adds resistance that may allow the propshaft to spin inside the prop itself if the key is missing, etc. Once you're certain the prop spins while on the trailer, it's time to put on a dive mask and float to the side of the boat while someone else gently puts it into gear so you can confirm the prop is actually spinning in the water.

Report back!

[tntige]

Sorry for the delayed response, but it was for sure the prop key. It was a brass key and cut in half not in place. Went back with a SS one.