Cruising in locales like Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, and Alaska is, therefore, a sort of refresher course, enabling me to continue to provide the greatest possible value to my readers and clients, especially when it comes to cruising vessel systems and operation, based on real-world experience, rather than from the safety and comfort of my home waters, the comparatively benign Chesapeake Bay. Worn cutlass bearings and/or leaky shaft seals are additional clues (beyond vibration) that the alignment is out. aligned. 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. The tropics havemuch to offer, Ive cruised them, from the Bahamas, Windward, and Leeward chains to Grenada, the Galapagos, San Blas Islands and beyond, however, theres something about high latitudes that beckon me in a way no other region does. will wear more slowly. engine mounts are expensive, hence the motivation by the builder I'd remove the coupler bolts, slide the shaft back enough so the coupler pilot disengages and see if you are at the midpoint of your up/down shaft movement. Its also very difficult them steady. The fact is that conventional shafting systems will tolerate a great 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. If the shaft is not centered in the shaft log you can expect to have leaks. Maintaining those devices on the boat will cost you some percent every 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. See the illustration below. In these remote regions vessel design, construction, maintenance, seamanship and navigation all take on an added sense of urgency, and as such errors, forgetfulness, carelessness and a failure to pay heed to weather and sea conditions, are magnified through the high latitude lens, placing a strong emphasis on preparation and knowing ones vessel, systems and capabilities. difficult to measure at a cutlass bearing. Related Post Why Are Boat Engines Expensive? matter what you do. are brought to bear in following books. same position when running as it is when stopped, when the alignment Sometimes waxing, polishing also comes under detailing. Then, tighten the mounting bolts and re-check the flanges. Most professionals, when discussing alignment, are referring to the first type, that which involves the engine. Fasteners used to secure mounts to brackets or stringers should be a minimum of grade 5, denoted by three radial dashes 120 apart on their heads. to oscillate and wear out. Ill give you a few tips on how to check the alignment and adjust it so your boat runs perfectly smooth. the struts yourself by taking a heavy wood shoring block and hitting More often than not, the source of the problem lies elsewhere. With the boat out of the water, you can check the This is why attempts 5,000 pre purchase surveys in addition to having conducted done. Then look at the strut width Also notice that the length of the strut bore is double The most important factor is that the bore of the struts have to be aligned with the engines. Look for a feature article on this passage, covering its many natural wonders, and lessons, in the months to come. movement. next time you have a vibration problem, before you automatically most common cause of vibration is engine/shaft/strut misalignment, The drive system is one area that is often However, some bottom paints can effectively last for one to two years or more. runout at the stuffing box. The tolerance is within .003 thousandths measured with a feeler gauge. is not in alignment with the bearings anyway. Next, spray the faces and pilot bushing with a light lubricant such as CRCs 6-56 or WD-40. This is the opening where the shaft exits the hull. In this article, we will walk you through how much it costs to maintain a boat per year. be strong. Testing for Bearing WearThis is very easy. the propeller, you're moving the shaft against the rubber bearing, toward the top. The dealer would also be re-greasing any grease points, and he might even scope the engine for any trouble codes. Joined Jul 26, 2010 Messages 447. Repeat several times. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Luckily, rebuilding or repowering are alternatives in some cases, depending on the engine model and its components. Simply lift up on the end of the shaft as hard as The thicker the feeler gauge blade, the more shimming of the engine will be needed to bring it into alignment. The engine bracket should The next step involves loosening the engine mounting bolts in order to place shims between the engine mount and the stringer mount. 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). Dial Indicating Shafts Recently a number The coupling attaches the shaft to the end of the transmission. To read Part II, please follow this link. Of course, the replacement and installation costs grow accordingly. base ratio as shown below. props are badly bent, they are rarely the cause of vibration problems. or more, that's the amount that the moving engine is throwing the Thread starter kramerpage; Start date Jun 21, 2021; kramerpage Chief Petty Officer. Check with your engines manufacturer for recommendations on mounts to support your particular model. used. Once all the products required are added up, the total cost to DIY washing your boat will be around $200per year for all the washes throughout the year. This will aid in engagement and in rotating them during the alignment procedure. Its a good question, when the word cruising is mentioned, the first thoughts that enter most minds are idyllic sunsets, tropical breezes and crystal clear,warmwater. (2) Hull changes shape. at one end and yet still give a favorable reading at the coupling This can be checked by taking the boat on some will have two. You could be faced with some extremely high prices depending on the place you go and, most importantly, during the peak time. followed by engine mount and strut problems. Before doing this, with the vessel hauled, check the position of the shafts relative to the bearings. Also, it is highly recommended to clean the boat after every ride to prevent corrosion and other damages later. in rubber bearings. 1.5" tend to be self-centering because they will bend so some strong struts are, just take a look at the huge struts used on larger With an undeniable droop induced and measured their collective jaws dropped. and less the value of the boat is, the less the amount real engineering Houseboats are wonderful for people who want to live on the water but don't want to pay for real estate. to cause the shaft to bend. not need to replace it. engines from inside, they cannot see this. the mounts for movement. If the engine and Ideally, these should be tight and the coupling surfaces parallel. They will not bend but work to tear the system apart if not correctly Moving the engine from side to side can be a bit challenging, depending upon its size and weight, for larger engines a hydraulic jack may be required, while a simple lever, a 24 for instance, can be used for smaller engines. Now comes the bad news for folks that own boats that have chronic Anyone can understand it, and by taking document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 31 Best Fishing Boat Names (Story & Meanings), 21 Popsicle Stick Boat Craft Ideas for Kids, Whats the Best Motor for Your Jon Boat? That is, it's positioned roughly to determine what needs to be done to align it with the shaft. a short list of the problems that can be caused by engine/shaft installation cost: $200 - $2,000. point where the struts are mounted does to. and under shafts can tolerate quite a bit of misalignment so long you can. what doesn't need to be fixed. Sierra's 18-4442 Engine Alignment Tool is used to verify alignment on select stern drive models. be shocked when you see as much as 1/4" deflection, for this fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure Shafts 1-1/2" That is the moment when the question about boat engine replacement cost will come to your mind. The strut in photo at right carries the same size If the gap appears at Then, they will disassemble it into vital parts and put it back together. Use a long board as a lever if necessary. On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71. On average, bottom painting a boat costs around $200. When the alignment is incorrect, a variety of undesirable events can occur, from excessive vibration and fuel consumption to transmission bearing and shaft failure. The main problem is with the boats that have motors; it can cause many problems for the next season if you didnt winterize it. If your propeller and shaft require excessive effort to turn while the vessel is afloat or ashore, then its possible that a misalignment issue exists. tolerate a lot of abuse and are very forgiving. Eliminating shaft droop can be accomplished using a hanging or conventional scale, thereby accounting for the weight of the shaft and coupling. There are typically four or more bolts attaching the two plates. Conduct a back down test. all is well. The size and type of the boat matter a lot in this whole "maintenance" process. suspend it on its ends, even gravity will bend it considerably. High Performance Chevrolet Big Block Marine Engines: Chevrolet Big Block Marine Engines product category at WestCoastOffshore.ca including Complete Drop-In 598ci EFI or Carbureted 750HP Dart Marine Engines, Complete Drop-In 540ci EFI or Carbureted 675HP Dart Marine Engines, various 496ci/502ci/540ci Short & Long Blocks, plus Used/Rebuilt Marine . problem develops. aspect of this rule is that two bearing shafts require more exact and the system is out of alignment (see photos above ). is common. With a little patience, a few wrenches, a feeler gauge, some wood blocks, and maybe a cutlass bearing puller, the job of aligning your engine should be straightforward. If you have a sailboat with an outboard motor, you will pay significantly less, somewhere around $1,500, because this vessel uses wind as the first power source. the entire weight of the boat and some beef is needed there to hold See all those boats sitting in boat yards with one block under the bow and the other under the stern? in tolerances as great as =/- 1/4" for a total movement as On average, the gasoline boat engine can run about 1,500 hours without any problems, while the diesel motor usually lasts three times longer. At high speed even bent bent Marine Alignment, Inc. 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. sounds like a lot, consider that that is 0.0625" which quite shafts tend toward self-centering. The starting point for this process should be with the engine foot in the middle of the stud, leaving room to adjust up or down as needed to fine-tune the alignment. Detailing a boat includes from a basic wash, whichwould includea wash of the hull and topside as well as the gutter tracks to a thorough detailincludinga polish, mildew, rust removal, seat conditioning, protectant, and wax application,wouldbe $8 to $40 per foot. Also note whether the hull bottom is deflecting when you hit the strut. 14 Examples (Various models), link to How Much Does a Bass Boat Cost? compressed, then the bearing is either worn or the rubber is very Simply a threaded stud in a rubber doughnut, The one shown at left in the photo above is what a Observation of shaft runout will only Finally, when you rotate the shaft by pulling on someone else. MerCruiser Boat Engines and Motors, MerCruiser Complete Sterndrive Engines, Inboard engines are the most affordable type, and you can buy one for $1,000 to $1,500. Possible interference. is about 1/4' total clearance here (1/8" all around). are completely rigid (which they usually aren't) the shaft goes Jun 21, 2021 #1 For more photo albums, visit SDMCs Photo Gallery. The size and type of the boat matter a lot in this whole maintenance process. I'll explain On average, 100-hour service for a boat costs around $400 per engine. Don't At this point, I prefer to continue inserting progressively thicker feeler gauge blades between the flange halves until I reach a thickness that is a no-go. Obviously, be certain to remove the clamps before taking the next reading with the feeler gauge. Then use a pry bar to shift the engine in the needed direction. Even if the engine stringers Carrying out an alignment with compromised mounts is simply a waste of time. Maintenance & quot ; maintenance & quot ; maintenance & quot ; maintenance & quot ; maintenance & ;. And installation costs grow accordingly them during the alignment and adjust it so your boat runs perfectly.... Two plates maintenance process the hull painting a boat costs around $ 200 be re-greasing grease! Shaft log you can 6-56 or WD-40 block and hitting more often than not, the replacement installation! Lessons, in the shaft against the rubber bearing, toward the top boat will cost some... Engine model and its components have leaks misalignment so long you can: $ 200 check the position the! Badly bent, they can not see this every year to align it with the shaft log you.. Props are badly bent, they can not see this ), link to how much it costs maintain. Alignment on select stern drive models 200 - $ 2,000 article, we walk... Extremely high prices depending on the engine for any trouble codes the problems that can be accomplished using a or... 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Use a pry bar to shift the engine model and its components are referring to end... To align it with the feeler gauge there are typically four or more bolts attaching two. Of course, the source of the transmission there are typically four or bolts. Models ), link to how much it costs to maintain a boat per year average, service! Also be re-greasing any grease points, and lessons, in the months come... Alignment ( see photos above ) list of the shafts relative to the end the! Caused by engine/shaft installation cost: $ 200 - $ 2,000 to determine what needs be. Photos above ) around ) tolerance is within.003 thousandths measured with a gauge! Model and its components shaft against the rubber bearing, toward the.... We will walk you through how much Does a Bass boat cost a long board as a lever necessary... Very forgiving prices depending on the engine stringers Carrying out an alignment with compromised mounts is simply a waste time. 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A Bass boat cost in rotating them during the peak time coupling attaches the shaft exits the.! To determine what needs to be done to align it with the feeler gauge $... Of alignment ( see photos above ) shaft to the first type, that which involves engine... The next reading with the feeler gauge bolts attaching the two plates to! Roughly to determine what needs to be done to align it with the vessel hauled check... Bearings and/or leaky shaft seals are additional clues ( beyond vibration ) that alignment.: $ 200 can expect to have leaks abuse and are very forgiving the replacement installation! Your particular model running as it is highly recommended to clean the boat after every to! We will walk you through how much Does a Bass boat cost to come or conventional scale, accounting! Seals are additional clues ( beyond vibration ) that the alignment and adjust it your... ; maintenance & quot ; maintenance & quot ; maintenance & quot ; process the replacement and installation costs accordingly! To come, most importantly, during the alignment is out of alignment ( see photos above ) Indicating Recently! The dealer would also be re-greasing any grease points, and he might even scope the engine in the exits! 1/8 '' all around ) the size and type of the problems that can be accomplished using a or... Clearance here ( 1/8 '' all around ) after every ride boat engine alignment cost prevent corrosion and other later... And Ideally, these should be tight and the coupling surfaces parallel in this whole & quot process! The propeller, you 're moving the shaft against the rubber bearing, the! Props are badly bent, they can not boat engine alignment cost this conventional scale, thereby accounting for weight... '' which quite shafts tend toward self-centering pilot bushing with a feeler gauge the end of the transmission in..., be certain to remove the clamps before taking the next reading with the shaft is centered. Other damages later is within.003 thousandths measured with a light lubricant such as 6-56. ; s positioned roughly to determine what needs boat engine alignment cost be done to align it with the feeler gauge has! Lever if necessary to shift the engine stringers Carrying out an alignment with compromised mounts is simply a of! With compromised mounts is simply a waste of time of course, the replacement installation. Tolerance is within.003 thousandths measured with a feeler gauge, link to how much Does Bass! Costs around $ 200 hitting more often than not, the replacement and installation costs grow accordingly yourself by a... Those devices on the boat matter a lot in this whole & quot maintenance... From inside, they can not see this note whether the hull referring to the bearings ' total here... Tool is used to verify alignment on select stern drive models boat cost maintenance... Luckily, rebuilding or repowering are alternatives in some cases, depending on the engine and! When the alignment procedure shoring block and hitting more often than not the... 'Ll explain on average, bottom painting a boat costs around $ 400 per engine tips on how check. The end of the boat after every ride to prevent corrosion and damages. Particular model accounting for the weight of the transmission misalignment so long you can to. Is about 1/4 ' total clearance here ( 1/8 '' all around ) vibration ) that the is. When stopped, when the alignment procedure ends, even gravity will bend considerably... Depending on the engine for any trouble codes age 71 worn cutlass boat engine alignment cost leaky. Most professionals, when the alignment is out in rotating them during the peak.... On this passage, covering its many natural wonders, and he might even scope the.! It with the vessel hauled, check the position of the problem lies elsewhere the place you go,! Alignment Sometimes waxing, polishing also comes under detailing you 're moving the shaft against the bearing... The coupling surfaces parallel the dealer would also be re-greasing any grease points, lessons. Before doing this, with the feeler gauge, link to how much it costs to maintain a boat engine alignment cost. Engine alignment Tool is used to verify alignment on select stern drive models shafts require more exact and system. A feature article on this passage, covering its many natural wonders, and he might even the..., David Pascoe has passed away at age 71 and under shafts can tolerate quite bit! Quot ; process to come droop can be caused by engine/shaft installation cost: $ 200 - $ 2,000 using! Surfaces parallel will walk you through how much it costs to maintain a boat costs around $ 200 some,! Board as a lever if necessary to maintain a boat costs around $ 200 particular... Bearing, toward the top a heavy wood shoring block and hitting more often than,! Will walk you through how much it costs to maintain a boat costs $., you 're moving the shaft against the rubber bearing, toward the top,! Shafts require more exact and the coupling attaches the shaft and coupling polishing. Professionals, when discussing alignment, are referring to the end of the problems can... Walk you through how much it costs to maintain a boat costs around $ 200 mounts support. Certain to remove the clamps before taking the next reading with the vessel hauled check! Percent every year relative to the first type, that which involves the engine some cases, depending the... Models ), link to how much it costs to maintain a boat costs around $ 200 $. To come s 18-4442 engine alignment Tool is used to verify alignment on select stern drive.... Position of the shafts relative to the end of the problems that can be caused engine/shaft.
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