Curmudgeon

Consensus seems to be that it is not that uncommon or alarming and I can go on to find the next thing that needs worrying about. Do appreciate everyone's input.

Thanks for the quick responses. Of course I should have cited the make & model. It is a PRM150 with a Beta 43 engine. As far as I can tell the amount of movement isn’t sufficient to actually move the boat forward. From what most people have said it sounds as though it isn’t anything to worry about unduly.

I am new to owning a narrowboat and to engines in general so apologies if this seems a silly question. When my engine is running and the gearbox is in neutral if I lift the engine hatch you can see the propshaft turning very slowly / lazily. Any movement of the controller forward or back clearly engages the gears in the appropriate direction and the movement increases accordingly. Should the propshaft be completely still in neutral? Or do they just sometimes have some movement in them? Any advice much appreciated.