Loss of Power and Vibration

stoneman · Newbie Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 7

I recently bought a 2002 Tige 20i Direct Drive. Last month I made the mistake of running over a sand bar at the river and the prop (Acme 3 blade) didn't survive. So I switched over to my spare (Acme 4 blade). After doing this I noticed a slight vibration and loss of power, primarily during the hole shot when pulling a rider. This only lasted for a few seconds each time and everything else seemed to be fine. I thought the prop might be cavitating. I got my 3 blade fixed and put it back on. Now the problem is even worse. Not as bad as with the bent prop, but bad. I have a major loss of power and vibration every time that I accelerate with or without a rider. It happens during the hole shot and/or whenever I quickly accelerate at all speeds. It last anywhere from 3-4 seconds up to 30 seconds.

The props are straight and spin freely by hand. The drive shaft looks straight with no visible damage. The tracking fins do appear to be out of alignment. When looking from the back the front 2 are off center bent to the right. The third (rear) fin appears to be straight. Would this cause the problem I described? What else could it be?

Does anyone know how/where I can get it quickly diagnosed? I'm in San Diego and the boats at Martinez Lake/Colorado River (Yuma, Az.) The boat is new to me, so I don't have a mechanic yet. Can you recommend one that does not have a huge waiting list at this time of year? Thanks.

stoneman · Newbie Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 7

Come on, somebody must have an opinion here...anybody...anybody?

grandmasterb · Newbie Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 21 City: Houston

bent drive shaft.

jonsmith2340 · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 370

I'm not as familar with this boat but drive shaft as grandmasterb, said and then I would check any and all bushings/bearings around the drive shaft to start with.

stoneman · Newbie Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 7

Drive shaft...that's what I was afraid of. Anybody have any idea how much that'll cost me (ball park)? and how long that takes to replace (if and when I can get an appointment)? Thanks.

Entrust Clothing · Soul Rider Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 279 City: Portland

$1900 for parts and labor to replace my prop, shaft, strut and all that good stuff Sad

ballywho · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1725

Yeah, most definately its the driveshaft or tranny. Have a yard do it, you may not be able to see the bend but its there. DO NOT RUN IT ANY MORE!!! The vuibes will shake crap loose that you didn't even know was there.it will also ruin you tranny
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Mr. Mike · Newbie Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 37 City: Kelowna

Sounds like it could be your driveshaft for sure. I wouldn't run it until you determine the cause. If your mechanically inclined, you could check the run-out of the shaft with a dial gauge while its on the boat. If its bent, you might want to price out straightening it. I bought my boat with a bent shaft. My local machine shop straightened it to .002" for 100 bucks. Check out page 6 of the catalog found at http://www.marinehardware.com/pdfdownload.html . It specifies all of the tolerances for a OE shaft.