Paragon came off the engine!

[DreaminFred]

Enjoying my sailing/boat fixing vacation- best sailing of the two weeks when ...

Had turned the auxiliary on to make distance to our next anchorage when strange (but not horrible)'sound came.from engine space.  Looked and found four 9/16'bolts laying in the bilge under the transmission and the transmission dropped about .75'inches from its aligned position.

What should I do?  A) put a block on it, pull it up into position and put the nuts in.  B)  take the shaft off, pull the transmission back, look at tthe surfaces, get things aligned and proceed to A or C)  call a professional.

In truth, C) has been initiated but the professionals dont seem to be working between Christmas and New Year's in Naples, FL.

Fred

[S/V AMITY]

  Fasten it back in place (with lock washers), start her up & listen.  Shift fwd. & reverse & neutral.  Run engine up to cruising RPM's.  If sounds are back to normal and no unusual vibration you are likely OK.  Possible bolts/nuts just rattled loose or the threads on the fasteners are shot.  Professional consultation wouldn't hurt.

[SVTheEdge]

I'm no professional but I would bolt it back on and install lock washers.  An alignment wouldnt hurt.  Im a new owner too so I guess we need to figure how to align these engines in our sleep.  I heard a story about the same thing happening to another 365 owner.  The owner had a transmission installed and they didnt use the correct bolts.  They only had e couple threads holding the tranny in place.  Also , fred, I sent you a message on your blog site.

[DreaminFred]

Update-
Bolted it back on, forward fine, reverse gone.  Opened up access plate, several pieces relating to reverse had come undone and reverse band had worn out.  Altogether pretty understandable and a non-catastrophic event.  Found a competent professional who could help us on New Years Day!

Still, a bit exciting!

Fred

[S/V AMITY]

    Good to hear nothing truly catastrophic!  Likely the sound of the transmission will be different now that the innards are back to spec.  If you keep an engine log, you might want to make a note at what hrs. the transmission was rebuilt.  It's nice to know info. for yourself and for the next person who might have her.