We have a 1988 donzi z29 with twin 454s and bravo 1 outdrives.?

Question

We took it out yesterday and were going about 40 mph when the starboard engine reveved to 6000 rpms and my husband immediately stopped the boat. The engine will start but we are unable to get the outdrive to work. the prop spins freely and we were wondering if it could be some linkage problem. the boat is in excellent condition and had the outdrives redone in 2002 just before we bought. We changed the oil in the outdrive just before we went out and it was good. We drove about 5 to 6 miles before the incident. Could anyone give us some ideas of the problem. We ordered a manual since my husband is very mechanically inclined. But I know there are good boat people here so I thought I would ask you all first so maybe you could give us some place to start. thank you very much.

Answer 1

your drive may need to be rebuilt, sounds like something let go.. you have to check to see where it stops spinning to find the problem

Answer 2

You may have spun a prop hub. What happens is the hub in the prop is made out of a rubber material and it is heated to swell and fit in the metal. It is designed to keep from damaging the lower unit should you hit something. It is rare but it can happen. Hopefully that is what it is. The fix is usually less than $100 dollars. Good luck!