Carver 33 SS 2006 with Crusader 6.0 MPI engines and ZF63 transmissions.

We had a touch and go. Afterwards, we were getting a vibration at about 2100 RPM’s in the starboard engine. A friend of mine pulled the starboard prop. I got the prop repaired. The boat ran fine after that. However, I only got it up to about 2700 rpm’s.

(I have removed one of the props before (can’t remember which) chasing down an RPM problem which turned out to be water in the fuel filter).

Later in the fall, we hit something under the water on an extended trip up the Tennessee last fall, and I noticed a (new) vibration at about 3100 rpm’s. I stopped at a marina, they pulled the boat, gave the props a once over, put the boat back in the water, and then told me both props looked good. Back in the water, the issue still existed.

So, I bought a set of new props from Delta (Michigan Wheels) 22 x 22 that are the exact replacements. I looked for used, but couldn’t find any. This spring, I had a diver replace the old props with the new props. The ride is a whole lot worse now, with vibration from 2100 to 2400 rpm’s. The vibration is bad enough that the power cable locker is rattling louder than the engines. You can feel the vibration in your arms and legs and the steering wheel. there is a vibration at lower rpm’s. It smooths out after about 2500 rpm’s. I did not check while underway to determine which side was making the vibration.

So, I took the old props to the repair shop. This shop is highly thought of and repairs props around the southeast. The guy running it started the business when he was 19 (now 62) and has seen just about everything. He also scans the props with what I assume to be is a propscan device. Sure enough the RH prop is bent. He and the diver both told me that the starboard prop is the RH prop.

So, One of my questions is this. I have a picture of the prop from either the first time the prop came off (fuel issue- could have been starboard or port) or the second time it came off (starboard prop repair last fall). The picture clearly shows that it is the left hand prop. Can anyone tell me whether the starboard is the RH prop or the LH prop? What happens if the props are reversed? Does the boat go in reverse when you put it in forward? we are putting the props back on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week and I would like to have an independent answer to the question prior to doing so.

I Had spoken with a top mechanic on the lake here who advised these steps.

Pull the new and replace with the old after the prop repair shop gets them “perfect”. Use new keys. he said that you should always use new keys. That will happen this week.

If that doesn’t fix the issue, then replace the cutlass bearings (Anyone know if there are one or two on each side? I am thinking there may also be one where the shaft goes through the floor along with the one further astern just behind the prop)

If that doesn’t fix it, repair/replace or check alignment on the shaft(s).

If I still have a problem, it may be the transmission is the problem.

Does this sound like a reasonable approach?

Any help would certainly be appreciated.