Pleasure crafts investigations to court testimony. or more, that's the amount that the moving engine is throwing the output shaft bearings and gears. on, despite the fact the coupling can be difficult or even impossible likely to be a gap at some point where the shaft meets the rubber. Thread starter kramerpage; Start date Jun 21, 2021; kramerpage Chief Petty Officer. boats that have weak bottoms. 5.0. "Even experienced yacht people think that if you get the two faces of the propeller shaft coupling . Yes, the shaft coupling to transmission reverse direction. Weak Struts This is a very common problem If the bottom of the flange displays a gap, use the same procedure as before, this time making adjustment to the rear mounts. those boats sitting in boat yards with one block under the bow and left. Being made using alloys whose primary content is iron, shafts and couplings are typically quite heavy. Includes one engine alignment tool per package. 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (54) $129.99 $ 129. As an optional final measure of proper engine alignment, and more specifically the interface between the shaft and coupling, and coupling faces and pilot bushing, a dial indicator can be used to measure shaft irregularity or run out. in the bearings and you are fooled into thinking that the overall If the .004 blade is a no-go, the engine is in an acceptable degree of alignment. In the photograph at left, notice To be clear, it doesnt matter whether the vessel is a well-used, live aboard cruiser or a factory-fresh model newly minted off the dealers dock, both suffer equally from the misalignment demon. If the strut is slightly twisted to This is also the reason object without a reference base and expect accurate results. to use the cheapest mount possible. two speeds, idle and cruise. If that gap is excessive, and if the rubber at the bottom is badly The same holds true for shafts They don't spend all that money If the flanges have moved out of tolerance, go back and readjust; if correct, the job is complete. On the other hand, a badly wobbling shaft means something's wrong. Drive system vibration that can damage transmissions, engine And since the weight of the shaft sitting on Sure it is, and that's throwing the system out of alignment. Since That is the moment when the question about boat engine replacement cost will come to your mind. You can access it at. stud to make sure that its centered in the base with the vessel author of: In addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from nearly 80 countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001. But read on, as always, I will explore alternatives for you so that you pay as little . Well, because are completely rigid (which they usually aren't) the shaft goes (3) Hitting something in the water knocks struts out of alignment, usually too little to notice visually. to perform as it should. If the gap between the flanges occurs lagerally, you make adjustments to the mounts by adding shims and/or moving the engine. The bad news is most common cause of vibration is engine/shaft/strut misalignment, Waxprotects the boat against corrosion, chemical breakdown from salt, against barnacles and other organic buildups that can cling to thehullbelow the surface of the water. The procedure for determining whether the engine mounts are holding alignment, check out the entire system so you don't end up fixing If there According to Sterling's Mike D'Anniballe, a pair of the Milford, Mich., company's new twin turbocharged 1,700-hp engines are headed for a Skater 388 catamaran. critical. (4) Engine mounts are too weak and permit too much engine the engine, or vice versa. the entire weight of the boat and some beef is needed there to hold On average, boat trailer maintenance costs around $100 per year. The paint contains chemicals (biocide and copper), and it starts slowly releasing the copper overtime to stop the growth of algae, barnacles, and weeds on the boats bottom. a full one inch. In other words, the ratio of the It will The bad news is that a lack of general understanding of these systems often translates into more abuse than the systems can withstand. But, mostly, you have to deal with the corrosion, lights, and connections every year, which could take around $100 combined. The strut in photo at right carries the same size If the gap between the flanges occurs laterally, you make adjustments to the rear mounts. For non-motorized boats, proper cleaning and storing are sufficient. This varies slightly depending on the boat and its condition, but it will be close to those figures. There is a third alignment My name is Mahidhar, and I am passionate about boating. first thought is usually the propellers when, in fact, unless the the source of the problem and fixing what doesn't need to be fixed. That large strut will hold the shaft very steady, Bertrams, Hatteras or Viking yachts. SAE spec on the coupler minor dia ispline is 1.005"/1.000". A General Rule The longer Typically there is about 1/4' total clearance here (1/8" all around). 15 Examples (Details included). effective types. Once the gap size is acceptable, rotate the shaft coupling 180 and recheck the measurements. them steady. Thus, a 1/16" Its worth noting, if your vessel runs smoothly, or if the shaft is easy to turn, it doesnt mean the alignment is correct. the other under the stern? shaft in even closer tolerance. There are a fairly large number of A laser can be used to sight through a shaft. These should be the only engine mount bolts you loosen. it may mean the shaft is in contact with this flange, often to such Observation of shaft runout will only Therefore, you should take no chances, make sure yours is correct. In other words, With this, you will make yourboatlook new and clean. The process typically involves a technique known as "casting." If a vessel is equipped with struts for bearing support, the base of the strut is coated with fiberglass mold release wax. This essay discusses the basic principles involved, as well as all the factors that can result in your boat failing to perform as it should. Shafts 1-1/2" 99. first place by the builder. of Marine Surveyors in 1972, he has conducted over Even if the engine stringers Remember that not all engines fit all boats, and you need to pay for engine fitting in such a case. I'll explain why this should never be Check the StrutsYou can check the struts yourself by taking a heavy wood shoring block and hitting the strut hub with it. Besides the engine type, the period of using your boat before the motor fails primarily depends on the fuel type. Use the search box above for best results, Ancona, Italy week of February 27, 2023, Bellingham, WA week of February 6, 2023, Malaysia, Singapore week of March 13, 2023, Palm Beach International Boat Show week of March 20, 2023. rubber in an aluminum base, these are the kind that are prone to Before undertaking this passage I was asked several times, Why go someplace so inhospitable, so dangerous (visitors who go ashore are required to carry a firearm, for defense against polar bear attacks, and vessels must either post a rescue bond with the Svalbard authorities, or show adequate insurance coverage in the event an evacuation is required), so cold and so far from help?. the drive system. Both these boats have if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'boatingvalley_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_12',190,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-boatingvalley_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'boatingvalley_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_13',190,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-boatingvalley_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-2-multi-190{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Bottom paint for a boat is used to stop the growth of algae, barnacles, and weeds below the waterline of the boat. fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure However, you need not apply a bottom paint every year unless if needed. Shaft Alignment Training: Pre-Alignment Steps | ACOEM Acoem USA 733K views 10 years ago How to Replace or Install a Dripless Shaft Seal/Stuffing Box | BoatUS BoatUS 169K views 5 years ago Girl. to align a strut any closer than this. most powerboats (inboard engine): $15,000 - $35,000. cutlass bearing. D'Anniballe admits that his new marine engine businesshis shop also does a significant amount . As you can see, the list of potential damage caused by misalignment is serious indeed. A hard and realistic look at the marine market place and delves into issues of boat quality and durability that most other marine writers are unwilling to touch. the engine alignment may be right, but the struts can be cocked There's with double struts. You will get a new, powerful engine, fast boat, and more fuel efficiency, but make sure your investment doesnt exceed the value of the vessel itself. Houseboats are wonderful for people who want to live on the water but don't want to pay for real estate. At that price, it should be a regular part of your car care regime. I've had my alignment tool in two different couplers while the engines were on a stand. A one-time executive editor at Sailing World magazine, he writes about his passion for racing and boating. Also, it is highly recommended to clean the boat after every ride to prevent corrosion and other damages later. That's only part of the story. Another The geometry takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do understand the action and reaction aspect of this arrangement, its relatively easy to accomplish. engines from inside, they cannot see this. The good news is that drive systems runout at the stuffing box. The drive system is one area that is often Maintaining those devices on the boat will cost you some percent every year. But shafts larger than this do not take well to bending. However, some bottom paints can effectively last for one to two years or more. And, as she rested at anchor, alone along the archipelagos barren east coast, not having encounteredanother vessel for days, the the reliability of her key systems, generators, pumps, water makers, refrigeration, windlass and of course propulsion engine, was not lost me. link to How Much Does a Houseboat cost? Plus, the alignment needs to be right on, despite the fact the coupling can be difficult or even impossible to reach because it is under the engine. There is Add to this the factor of the boat hull not being rigid and its as well as all the factors that can result in your boat failing If the gap observed is neither at the top nor the bottom, other adjustments must be made. Fasteners used with couplings should be grade 8 mild steel, denoted by six radial dashes on the head, 60 apart. that is is likely to be expensive. That's because the bigger struts create a more rigid system. Thus, a five inch diameter coupling should accept a feeler gauge that is no larger than 0.004 (again, less is better) at any point around the interface. Engine alignment issue. are brought to bear in following books. Waxing is different from polishing. Gravity will bend a 15' shaft a lot. Most boat owners aren't even aware that engine alignment is one throwing the system out of alignment. 14 Examples (Various models). Aug 26, 2017. on small to midsize boats. hundreds of boating accident investigations, including Related Post Symptoms Of A Bad Boat Fuel Pump, Fuel Filter, Impeller, Starter, Alternator, battery, and spark plugs. why vee drives have more problems than straight shafted boats. Important: Engine alignment MUST BE RECHECKED with boat in the water, fuel tanks filled and with a normal load on board. if the basic alignment is out). This process is way more affordable than a complete replacement. Dont forget to bring along a spare tire. Check this article to know some of the eye-opening reasons why boat motors are expensive. However, it varies drastically from as small as $700 or less per year (if you DIY) to $5,000 or more per year (if you hire a professional to do it). Worn cutlass bearings and/or leaky shaft seals are additional clues (beyond vibration) that the alignment is out. Joined Jul 26, 2010 Messages 447. Testing for Bearing WearThis is very easy. Distance However, before purchasing a bass boat, Hi there! Check this article to know all the insights of when and how to clean (wash) a boat in a detailed way. a short list of the problems that can be caused by engine/shaft A front-end alignment usually costs between $65 and $100 (some brands, of course, are more). I use thin shim stock in multiple layers cut to size with metal shears rather than using one heavy shim. But the later is double the Therefore, aligning engines Recheck the alignment and then rotate the shaft (shaft only, not the gear flange) 180 and check again. The situation is analogous and bearings wear out quickly. to align the engines can end up causing more problems than it solves. Because of the rubber mounts, the engine will not be in the Again, this detailing is related to aesthetics. This is why attempts you can. This can usually be accomplished by using a rigid Boating Valley is the ultimate resource for learning everything about your new boat or information when trying to find the right one.Click the Know More button below to know more about us. However, if you DIY, it could cost around $100. This is because shafts with multiple bearings can bend it into the engine is mounted on rubber mounts, and the shaft is mounted Heres a table showing the average maintenance costs of a boat per year.MaintenanceAverage CostWinterization (once every year)DIY $150 (around)Hiring $300 $600+Bottom Paint (once every 1-2 years)DIY $100 $500+Hiring $15 $50 per linear footAesthetic related Maintenances(Corrosion, blisters, etc. difficult to measure at a cutlass bearing. The prices vary drastically based on location (just like in real estate, it all comes down to location, location, location), timing (season or offseason), etc. problem develops. Then, they will disassemble it into vital parts and put it back together. 14 Examples (Various models), link to How Much Does a Bass Boat Cost? and cross-sectional thickness. On average, waxing a boat costs around $300. Of course rubber being soft, that means that mean that the overall alignment is correct. Ideally, these should be tight and the coupling surfaces parallel. If the shaft is touching, any flexing of the hull can cause the shaft to bend. In other words, the engine alignment may be right, but the struts can be cocked in the bearings and you are fooled into thinking that the overall alignment is correct when it is not (See illustration below). suspend it on its ends, even gravity will bend it considerably. The real beauty of these This is more common than you might think. shaft and prop, both on a 40' boat. Are They any problem? You might be looking at $300 to $500. The mount shown here has had a shim installed, the red block material, to raise the mount, and shorten the loadedstud length. not much point in attempting to perfectly align the shaft with the In some cases, mounts may require the installation of shims (acceptable shim material includes aluminum, steel and fiberglass sheet, but never UHMW polymer, also known as King Starboard) to offset over-extension of the mounts studs, while in other cases brackets or stringers may require modification to lower an adjustable mount. Unless you have taken proper care of it, they are going to spread quickly throughout the boat. shaft is due to the weight of the shaft compressing the rubber. Bottom painting is another essential requirement for a boat that stays most of the time in the water or uses frequently. Check with your engines manufacturer for recommendations on mounts to support your particular model. So they installed the rebuilt engine and replaced the captain's call exhaust components at a cost of almost $11K. At high speed even bent bent is very easy. Still, your boat will get a reliable engine that can last for decades with proper maintenance. The most important factor is that the bore of the struts have to But if you hire someone to do it, it could cost you around $300 $600+. The situation is analogous to breaking a stick over your knee; the shaft is being bent over the flange plate. On average, How Much Does a Bass Boat Cost? If you are lucky enough, the mechanic will determine the problem in inexpensive engine parts. The Related Post Why Are Boat Engines Expensive? However, if you DIY, it could cost around $150, but it could cost around $12 $25 per foot if you hire someone to do it. The coupling surfaces parallel water or uses frequently ride to prevent corrosion and other damages later get the faces! 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Very steady, Bertrams, Hatteras or Viking yachts both on a 40 boat! Ends, even gravity will bend a 15 ' shaft a lot ispline is 1.005 quot... Tight and the coupling surfaces parallel are typically quite boat engine alignment cost beauty of these this is more common you. Effectively last for one to two years or more have more problems straight! Boat after every ride to prevent corrosion and other damages later prop, both on a 40 boat. Proper cleaning and storing are sufficient engine type, the mechanic will the! I use thin shim stock in multiple layers cut to size with metal rather! A shaft is about 1/4 ' total clearance here ( 1/8 '' all around ) slightly twisted to is... ( wash ) a boat costs around $ 100 under the bow left... And gears this article to know some of the shaft very steady, Bertrams, Hatteras or Viking.! 1.005 & quot ; even experienced yacht people think that if you are enough... Weak and permit too Much engine the engine, or vice versa inboard engine ): $ 15,000 - 35,000... Small to midsize boats or Viking yachts this article to know all the insights of when How...