2008 220 hole shot seems doggy at times

[etwman]

So here's what I've got:

2007 220 Team with the ZR6, upgraded prop to a Acme 1235. Boat has 300 hours on it.

Here's the issue: I'll run the boat all day, most of the time the hole shot is fine. Then on occasion it feels like something it is "slipping" or "doggy" It feels like I have 4000 lbs of ballast when I don't. It just won't get up and go as quickly. I will put the engine in neutral and rev it, all seems fine there. I will put it in gear sometimes and I'll have a slight vibration. I do have that annoying little "clang" when I put it in gear which has seemed more noticeable recently. I don't like it since my 1995 and 2003 was super smooth when I put it in gear.

Any idea what could be causing this "slippage" on occasion when I dump it to pull someone out?

Thanks everyone!

[Jonny Quest]

That doesn’t sound good. The PCM tranny is very smooth and quiet — no clang. That noise could be a damper plate, but 300 hours is usually quite early for damper plate issues. When did you last change tranny fluid? Have you checked tranny fluid level? These trannys are very sensitive to fluid level. Start there.

JQ

[etwman]

I never changed the tranny fluid. I did check the level and its fine. Don’t appear milky or anything. I did start it in my driveway (have a fresh water hookup) and put it in gear. Popped the hatch to watch the shaft spin, and its not super smooth. Does make some noise. Not sure if that is the sign of a bad damper plate or not.

[mpost]

Your strut bearing will often make a lot of noise when it is dry and you put it in gear. What do you mean by smooth? looking or sounding?

[etwman]

If i go to the back of the boat and put my hands on the prop, I have a little play in it side to side. It turns the shaft so the prop isn’t lose. There’s 1/2” of play either way with it going into the transmission. When I go into the boat, start it, and put it in gear. Lift the hatch to see the transmission, there’s a clinking sound about every rotation.

I did look at some videos online for damper plate failures. I’m wondering if it isn’t that. But at 300 hours? If a damper plate is going does it limit the horsepower of the boat on occasion or hole shot?