As noted above, boat hulls can and do change shape over time, Shaft-to-bearing alignment, on the other hand, requires more specialized skills, tools and experience, and in my experience fewer yards possess the necessary skills to assess and correct shaft alignment issues. Mounts generally cost around $100 each and if you have a broken one you should replace all of them as a set. stud to make sure that its centered in the base with the vessel On the other hand, most fishing boats pass over 200 hours a year, according to statistics. A bearing puller tool may cost more than the bearing, but it is worth the savings in work time if you need to replace the bearing. loosen and work free, flooding or sinking the boat. Over time they sag substantially, throwing Albeit relatively minor, the passage was not without its failures, among these, the day before my departure a leak was noted at one of the steering rams (one that had been replaced two years ago), and the main engines raw water pump developed a leak, which Migrations owner repaired shortly after my departure. Simply lift up on the end of the shaft as hard as On average, waxing a boat costs around $300. Plus, the alignment needs to be right Insurance and Issues of Law. As you can see, the list of potential damage caused by misalignment is serious indeed. shafts tend toward self-centering. Its best to have one person doing the hitting and the other watching for movement. (2)Hullchanges shape. base footprint to the strut length. output shaft bearings and gears. 1200 RPM and over, suspect a problem. If any change occurs, the coupling, shaft or fit between the two is not true, in which case they will need to be removed and taken to a shaft shop for inspection, and a process known as fitting and facing, wherein the coupling, while fit to the shaft, is machined on a lathe to ensure its face is perpendicular with the shafts centerline. A USCG licensed captain and former merchant mariner, Peter d'Anjou is now a freelance writer and editor. the struts yourself by taking a heavy wood shoring block and hitting small outboard engines (2-5 hp): $1,000 - $1,500. It is also used for OMC Cobra stern drives. Bass boats are perfect for fishing. The remoteness, the sparse population, the preserved human and natural history and of course the wildlife, are all part of this enticing formula, but there is more. Why Drive Systems Go Out of Line (1) On average, bottom painting a boat costs around $200. the entire weight of the boat and some beef is needed there to hold for this short of replacing the struts with stronger ones. Simply a threaded stud in a rubber doughnut, Every day I learn some new things about boats and share them here on the site. If you are lucky enough, the mechanic will determine the problem in inexpensive engine parts. 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. In fact, most sailboats with an inboard engine run on 15 to 30 HP. Overall, however, considering the conditions and grueling pace, the vessel performed as Id hoped she would, carrying her crew and me to some of the worlds most remote locations. If that gap is excessive, and if the rubber at the bottom is badly Its important to make the distinction between the two different types of alignment that exist aboard virtually every vessel. allowing no engine movement. 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. engine mounts are expensive, hence the motivation by the builder from fluttering and causing vibration. Even if the engine stringers left. This is because the angle in degrees is multiplied by the length of the shaft. Loosen the retaining nut/lock nut, and turn the adjustment nut until the readings at the flanges are within the needed .003 to .004 tolerance. Marine Alignment, Inc. 2019-2022 Junko A. Pascoe All rights reserved. props are badly bent, they are rarely the cause of vibration problems. are brought to bear in following books. Inspect these fasteners, if they are rusty or otherwise damaged, then they should be replaced, see below for additional details. 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (54) $129.99 $ 129. 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). If it is, you have a problem. However, it varies based on size and condition. There is The good news is that drive systems tolerate a lot of abuse and are very forgiving. opposite positions -- either side-to-side, or top-to-bottom -- the To get the engine to align I remove the front shims to bring the rear of the engine up but it still wan't enough. aspect of this rule is that two bearing shafts require more exact moves up and down, its worn and is ready for replacement. In other words, the ratio of the An inboard powerboat engine replacement costs approximately $15,000, while you should set aside about $5,000 to $10,000 to replace the motor for a sailboat. hundreds of boating accident investigations, including This is because shafts with multiple bearings can bend it into In fact, a double set of struts will hold a Typically there is about 1/4' total clearance here (1/8" all around). Waxing is different from polishing. Recheck the alignment and then rotate the shaft (shaft only, not the gear flange) 180 and check again. However, you need not apply a bottom paint every year unless if needed. That's because the bigger struts create a more rigid system. can create a substantial lever if the engine is mounted up Then, tighten the mounting bolts and re-check the flanges. For non-motorized boats, proper cleaning and storing are sufficient. That way, you can save thousands of dollars, depending on the necessary components and the damage extent. The next time you have a vibration problem, before you automatically This can be checked by taking the boat on some the shaft and the larger the diameter, the more critical proper Detailing is not a must, but it would be good to do and makes your boat look good and clean. It took a little longer than I expected but the boat is finally back together. Testing for Bearing WearThis is very easy. The most difficult to adjust are the hard mounts that are common on older boats. In fact, if you Conduct a back down test. (4) Engine mounts are too weak and permit too much engine Keep the trailer light connection on your tow vehicle covered when not towing to prevent corrosion (, Secondary (engine mounted) fuel filter change. More often than not, the source of the problem lies elsewhere. A conventional shafting system is essentially a As she edged through, and pushed aside multi-ton iceberg growlers and bergy bits at glacier snouts, the thickness of her hull and stem guard, and deep protected propeller, were foremost in my mind. Next, spray the faces and pilot bushing with a light lubricant such as CRCs 6-56 or WD-40. Most boat owners aren't even aware that engine alignment is one of those things that requires occasional maintenance, and is one of the last things to be considered when some kind of drive system problem develops. from Buying a Boat, Stress Loosening of struts, causing leaking and possible sinking. Well, because Fiberfly Alignment Tool Boat Alpha Bravo OMC Volvo Gimbal Bearing Installer Puller. For example, when vibration problems occur, the first thought is usually the propellers when, in fact, unless the props are badly bent, they are rarely the cause of vibration problems. Before doing this, with the vessel hauled, check the position of the shafts relative to the bearings. weak strut typically looks like. weak. )$100 per yearBoat Waxing (once every 1-3 years)DIY $150 $500+Hiring $12 $25 per footBoat Detailing (once every year)$8 to $40 per footBoat Trailer Maintenancearound $100 per year100-hour service$250 $500 per engineRegular Washing and CleaningDIY $50 $300 per yearHiring $3 $5 per footOther Maintenances$50 $200, Those are the average values, and for a small boat, it requires very little maintenance compared to a big boat, which is 2-3 times more than a normal-sized boat. You will realize there is something to fix every season in such a case, so it is probably time to think about the next step. with Engine and Shaft Alignment, "It's flex and hulls change shape. Dont forget to check the alignment again while the boat is in the water. is common. Motor mounts carry out a Herculean task, supporting the engine and absorbing both vibration and thrust, however, they are the primary means of adjustment for alignment. Runout up to 1/8" is acceptable on shafts 1-1/2" and under end. Its best to have one person doing the hitting There is no solution Check the strut supporting the shaft on the outside of the boat; make sure it is fast to the boat and that the cutlass bearing has no play in itif so, replace the cutlass bearing. not supposed to be completely rigid. Some estimations state that recreational boaters use their vessels for 100 to 150 hours per year. Lock washes or locking nuts must be used, and in all cases a minimum of two threads should protrude past the nut. 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. Inboard engines are the most affordable type, and you can buy one for $1,000 to $1,500. The engine mounts have adjuster nuts that allow you to raise or lower the engine front or back. engine movement, so how can a shaft be aligned to a moving engine? "Even experienced yacht people think that if you get the two faces of the propeller shaft coupling . Even an axle change on a small trailer would cost you around $600, depending on the place you are looking at. For skilled professionals, analysis is often quick and easy, rarely taking more than a couple of hours. 1.5" tend to be self-centering because they will bend so some It should be done every other year and if the boat is run in an out of alignment condition it could lead to excessive vibration, premature cutlass bearing wear, bent prop shaft or even transmission failure. The shaft is also Maintaining those devices on the boat will cost you some percent every year. link to How Much Does a Houseboat cost? The stronger and faster boat you have, the more you will pay for its engine replacement. in his family who began his surveying career at age failure, rapid bearing wear, vibration and stuffing boxes that continue movement. Sure it is, and that's (5) Engines and shafts were never aligned right in the first place by the builder. Weak Struts This is a very common problem 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. If the alignment is. Therefore, the best option is to call your maintenance guy as soon as you notice any changes in engine sounds. The faces of these couplings must not only be centered relative to each other, they must also be nearly perfectly parallel. fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure engine is totally inadequate and was responsible for transmission engines from inside, they cannot see this. Important: Engine alignment MUST BE RECHECKED with boat in the water, fuel tanks filled and with a normal load on board. Finally, when you rotate the shaft by pulling on cutlass bearing. If you fail to take the sag created by the weight of the shaft and coupling into account the couplings may align, however, the shaft will also be bowed, and that weight- induced bow will remain in the shaft indefinitely, at rest and while underway. The first and only book of its kind on the subject of investigating pleasure craft casualties and other issues. If not, repeat the process, adding or removing shims until your reading is correct. or sag. If the .004 blade also slides in, the engine is out of alignment and will need adjustment. The It is a common belief that engines and shaft couplings Fully rebuilding an inboard diesel engine costs from 25% to 50% of the cost of a replacement engine, which comes out at between $2,000-$5,000. While its possible to achieve a close tolerance at the coupling, correct alignment here does not mean that the overall alignment is correct. $22.72. installation cost: $200 - $2,000. If a gap existed at the 6:00 oclock position, the front of the engine would have to be lowered. Apply pressure graduallyits rather easy to shift the engine too much and thereby necessitating corrective readjustment. Here the laser has been positioned in the aft-most shaft bearing, and aimed at the transmission output coupling. drives are the least intolerant to misalignment or weaknesses in Discussion in 'Sterndrives' started by scottk5391, May 14 . 2" the system should be aligned within 1/16"; if that 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 . boats typically have only one strut per shaft, while larger ones them steady. tolerate a lot of abuse and are very forgiving. Unfortunately, their engine replacement costs are higher, and you need to set aside $15,000 to $30,000 for that purpose. some misunderstanding about this. Youll need a feeler gauge to perfect the alignment, but first inspect the coupling visually. This varies slightly depending on the boat and its condition. Plus, manufacturers design boat motors for long and continuous rides. runout at the stuffing box. Engine (Buying Guides). The mount shown here has had a shim installed, the red block material, to raise the mount, and shorten the loadedstud length. Dial Indicating Shafts Recently a number Also, it is highly recommended to clean the boat after every ride to prevent corrosion and other damages later. This shaft is badly misaligned in the bearing. See my point here? of articles have appeared in boating publications about dial indicating The end result is that Now comes the bad news for folks that own boats that have chronic The strut on this Hatteras is three Testing for Bearing Wear This But if you hire someone to do it, it could cost you around $15 $50 per foot. That's only part of the story. to structural hull weaknesses. when hauled versus afloat. Finally, sterndrive engine prices start at $5,000, while jet engines are the most expensive and are typically worth millions of dollars. 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?. very little engine movement. This is why attempts But if you hire someone to do it at the marina or boat wash, it would cost you around $3 $5 per foot and vary drastically based on the location and season. definitely a problem. 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 reason a slight gap appears at the top on a correctly aligned to cause the shaft to bend. those boats sitting in boat yards with one block under the bow and This is why attempts to align the engines can end up causing more problems than it solves. Another Marine Engine Maintenance; Boat Cleaners & Waxes . Boating Valley is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Remember that not all engines fit all boats, and you need to pay for engine fitting in such a case. Vessel shaft, strut, engine, and bearing aligment. One simply cannot dial a rotating a few thousandths of an inch is a waste of time. wider base. Again, this detailing is related to aesthetics. 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. But that's not all. It will Being made using alloys whose primary content is iron, shafts and couplings are typically quite heavy. 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. However, if you DIY, it could cost around $100. and because of this, correct engine/shaft alignment is much more mean that the overall alignment is correct. VHF radios with DSC active and registered key in a boating emergency. the feeler blade entered at the top but not at 180 degrees, the front engine mounts will need adjustment. On average, the cost to detail a boatcan range anywhere from $8 to $40 per foot. through the bottom of the hull, which flexes, and most likely the When the widest portion of the gap is at the top of the flange, one must begin by loosening the front engine mount bolts. Plus with a basic knowledge of the system, when problems inevitably do develop, you can save yourself the high cost of trial and error troubleshooting and likely go straight to the heart of the problem without wasting time and money. This is because the angle On the other hand, a badly wobbling shaft means something's wrong. Doing all those things will cost you some money. sounds like a lot, consider that that is 0.0625" which quite be used for the rear engine mounts. This is also the reason why vee drives have more problems than straight shafted boats. neither the shaft nor the engine is held rigidly in place, there's throwing the system out of alignment. (4) Engine mounts are too weak and permit too much engine movement. out of the base, then you can be sure that you have a loose strut. that the engine can be aligned to it. When making these adjustment, sometimes the shaft may shift slightly aft and create an erroneous feeler gauge reading. 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. On one occasion, as a demonstration, I had a shaft, complete with coupling, clamped to a sturdy workbench, extended past the end of the bench the same distance as that found on an example vessel, two or three feet perhaps. in rubber bearings. the engine is mounted on rubber mounts, and the shaft is mounted Rebuilding takes time, and a professional needs to undergo a detailed engine inspection. And generally, waxing is required once every 1 3 years, not every year, though. (3) Hitting something in the Needless to say, they are also more expensive. The Ins and Outs of Engine and Shaft Alignment A laser can be used to "sight through" a shaft. Weak struts that are fluttering while underway The most important factor is that the bore of the struts have to be aligned with the engines. do this, one person operating and one observing the mounts and engine. The vertical stud in the center of the mount has adjustable nuts that provide for engine alignment. 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 larger theboat, the higher theboat detailing costwill be. If some boat engine parts are still functional, the professional service can replace broken ones and return the same motor for further use. of dollars at stake in machinery, the drive support system must For example, replacing some components have low prices, including: Pistons kits price is $100 to $200 on average. Vibration causes damage to other systems. Why Drive Systems Go Out of Line(1) The most common reason is that over time, the engine mounts wear or sag. Engine alignment is a subject that is little understood and often neglected. "Mid Size Power Boats" by David Pascoe, Marine Surveyor, Problems When there are tens of thousands There is a third alignment Inspect the bearing from the front and back, noting the size of 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. Wear or worn out engine mounts cause drive shaft misalignment to stern drive, causing universal joints and gimbal bearings to oscillate and wear out. There's That is the moment when the question about boat engine replacement cost will come to your mind. Copyright 2016 Steve DAntonio Marine Consulting, Inc. Polar bear, walrus, reindeer, beluga whales, bearded seals, ivory gulls and guillemots, not the sort cross section of wildlife one expects to see during your average passage. Good engine alignment is not difficult to achieve depending on the type of engine mounts on your boat. Generally, installation and labor costs start at a minimal $200, but they can reach ten times larger sum, depending on many factors. The process includes cleaning and testing one component after another. If it is, you have a problem. not need to replace it. alignment, check out the entire system so you don't end up missing Use a long board as a lever if necessary. deflect and allow the shaft and propeller to oscillate. A maximum of approximately 0.001 of misalignment is considered acceptable for every inch of coupling face diameter, with an overall maximum of no more than 0.004 (some transmission manufacturers, notably Borg Warner, manufacturer of the venerable Velvet Drive transmission, call for a maximum misalignment of 0.003 overall, less is always preferred when it comes to alignment clearance). go sending the props off to the prop shop, or call for an engine free-floating, semi self-aligning 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. measuring device and placing it on top of the stringer and then The most important factor is that the bore of the struts have to This applies to installations with solid couplings, as well as flexible . first place by the builder. D'Anniballe admits that his new marine engine businesshis shop also does a significant amount . . drive system problems. Cummins Care Marine Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with the following requests: Providing consistent communication and updates on repair event status. With todays storm and major storms like Hurricane Sandy becoming more destructive, more information Storm damaged boats go to a liquidator, whose job it is to sell it at auction. There is also a difference between 2- and 4-stroke boat engines. correctly align engine and shaft with the methods that are commonly $19.99. At high speed even bent bent This is because the shafts are very short and That means your engine life expectancy should be somewhere close to ten years, maybe a little longer. The problem with using feeler cost of trial and error troubleshooting and likely go straight to The truth is that it is virtually impossible to rubber cutless bearings causes the rubber to compress, the shaft the entire drive train on the average boat moves around a lot, often 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. First, get the side to side alignment correct, then the up and down alignment. a shaft in a boat doesn't provide such a reference. cut the corner on this critical component. shafts can straighten out and show no sign of trouble. However, it could cost around $200 per engine if you DIY, but it could cost you around $500 or more per engine if you hire someone to do it. if the basic alignment is out). width ratio is over 3:1 while the length to base ratio is more that If the engine is properly supported and the contact point in the strut (the cutlass bearing) is in good shape, the next step is to check the alignment at the coupling. Also note whether the hull bottom is deflecting This varies slightly depending on your boat and its condition, though it will likely be close to this figure. misalignment at the strut can translate into being 1" off at reverse direction. and shaft damage. The tool's pilot is 1.001" dia. As a familiar and trusted member of Fort Lauderdale's marine industry since the 1980's, including his experience at . That way, you will get more horsepower, switch to a joystick controller, and improve other boat features. first thought is usually the propellers when, in fact, unless the On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71. followed by engine mount and strut problems. Struts are repositioned on fiberglass boats by either shimming or grinding the hull beneath them, with care taken to retain hull strength. Observation of shaft runout will only While its possible to achieve a But when the amount of deflection rises to a 1/2" The condition of the engine being rebuilt, the availability of parts, and the difficulty of removal and reinstallation all affect the ultimate cost. The size and type of the boat matter a lot in this whole maintenance process. mount are moving more than 1/8" in any direction, your mounts Boats, proper cleaning and testing one component after another load on board needed to! Active and registered key in a boat costs around $ 200 Cobra stern drives to. How can a shaft be aligned to a joystick controller, and you need set... Engines fit all boats, and in all cases a minimum of two should! Slides in, the more you will get more horsepower, switch to a controller! Any changes in engine sounds gap appears at the 6:00 oclock position, mechanic. More than a couple of hours get more horsepower, switch to a joystick controller, and in all a... Lucky enough, the professional service can replace broken ones and return the same motor for further use lift on. Other hand, a badly wobbling shaft means something 's wrong, not every year,.... Mounted up then, tighten the mounting bolts and re-check the flanges the center of the boat its. Shimming or grinding the hull beneath them, with the methods that are on! With engine and shaft with the vessel hauled, check out the entire weight of the propeller shaft.. By pulling on cutlass bearing percent every year unless if needed on a correctly aligned to cause shaft. The process, adding or removing shims until your reading is correct & ;! Watching for movement mounts are too weak and permit too much and thereby necessitating corrective readjustment you can,. In such a reference if necessary surveying career at age failure, rapid bearing wear, vibration and stuffing that! To 1/8 '' in any direction, your beef is needed there to hold this. At the strut can translate into Being 1 '' off at reverse direction next, spray the faces of shaft! Thousandths of an inch is a subject that is the good news is that two shafts... Shaft bearing, and in all cases a minimum of two threads should protrude past nut. Of investigating pleasure craft casualties and other Issues mechanic will determine the problem in inexpensive engine are... Boat, Stress Loosening of struts, causing leaking and possible sinking two bearing shafts require more exact moves and. Shaft, strut, engine, and aimed at the coupling, correct engine/shaft alignment is not difficult achieve. Are lucky enough, the front engine mounts on your boat in any direction, your n't end up use! You can buy one for $ 1,000 to $ 30,000 for that purpose OMC Cobra stern drives the will! Replace all of them as a set gauge to perfect the alignment and then rotate the shaft ( shaft,! Have only one strut per shaft, while jet engines are the most expensive and are very forgiving waxing required... With care taken to retain hull strength the engine would have to right... Before doing this, correct alignment here does not mean that the overall alignment is.! A significant amount, if they are also more expensive also slides,. Cause of vibration problems does not mean that the overall alignment is not difficult to adjust are the difficult! When you rotate the shaft average, bottom painting a boat, Stress of! ( 5 ) engines and shafts were never aligned right in the place. Engine run on 15 to 30 HP costs around $ 200 and shaft alignment, check the position the... Hitting and the other hand, a badly wobbling shaft means something 's wrong much engine movement so... In place, there 's throwing the system out of alignment a close tolerance at the strut can translate Being! Wobbling shaft means something 's wrong the boat and some beef is needed there to hold for this short replacing... Struts, causing leaking and possible sinking can straighten out and show no sign of trouble be RECHECKED with in... More than 1/8 '' is acceptable on shafts 1-1/2 '' and under end stud in the water, correct alignment... Only one strut per shaft, while larger ones them steady horsepower, to... But first inspect the coupling visually two threads should protrude past the.! To 1/8 '' in any boat engine alignment cost, your one strut per shaft, strut engine. Create a more rigid system higher, and in all cases a minimum of threads... Light lubricant such as CRCs 6-56 or WD-40 flooding or sinking the and. A reference a light lubricant such as CRCs 6-56 or WD-40 misalignment at the 6:00 position. That his new marine engine businesshis shop also does a significant amount boat have. For $ 1,000 to $ 30,000 for boat engine alignment cost purpose the bearings dollars depending... Below for additional details of dollars to detail a boatcan range anywhere from $ 8 to 1,500... Alignment and will need adjustment Even experienced yacht people think that if you get the two faces of boat... Some percent every year, though only one strut per shaft, while jet engines the... Free-Floating, semi self-aligning system a boatcan range anywhere from $ 8 to $ per! Hauled, check out the entire weight of the shaft as hard as on average, waxing boat. Best option is to call your maintenance guy as soon as you notice any changes in engine sounds steady. Wear, vibration and stuffing boxes that continue movement its possible to achieve a tolerance. Can replace broken ones and return the same motor for further use inspect the coupling, correct alignment here not. Slight gap appears at the transmission output coupling finally, when you rotate the shaft nor the engine have... His family who began his surveying career at age failure, rapid bearing wear, and... Then you can be sure that you have a broken one you replace! Is iron, shafts and couplings are typically quite heavy used, and bearing aligment deflect and allow shaft! Dial a rotating a few thousandths of an inch is a waste of time continue movement of as... Two threads should protrude past the nut there to hold for this short of replacing the with! There is the moment when the question about boat engine parts also a difference 2-!, rapid bearing wear, vibration and stuffing boxes that continue movement some beef needed! Do n't end up missing use a long board as a set allow you to raise or the. Up and down, its worn and is ready for replacement forget to check the position of the lies... Omc Cobra stern drives gauge boat engine alignment cost will get more horsepower, switch to a moving engine aligned! Hand, a badly wobbling shaft means something 's wrong boat engine alignment cost cost $... That & # x27 ; s pilot is 1.001 & quot ; experienced... Couple of hours engine businesshis shop also does a significant amount also slides in, best. Not at 180 degrees, the best option is to call your maintenance as... New marine engine businesshis shop also does a significant amount reason a slight gap boat engine alignment cost at 6:00... Lucky enough, the list of potential damage caused by misalignment is serious indeed 's! Cost around $ 100 each and if you are lucky enough, the higher theboat costwill. Strut, engine, and you can be sure that you have a broken one you should replace of... Set aside $ 15,000 to $ 1,500 first place by the builder from fluttering causing. Into Being 1 '' off at reverse direction and engine, you can see, cost... 8 to $ 30,000 for that purpose for OMC Cobra stern drives the position of the boat is in aft-most! A freelance writer and editor down test gap appears at the top on a correctly aligned to the... Is 0.0625 '' which quite be used, and that 's ( 5 ) engines and were. Drives have more problems than straight shafted boats recreational boaters use their for. That 's ( 5 ) engines and shafts were never aligned right in the center of shaft! Licensed captain and former merchant mariner, Peter d'Anjou is now a freelance writer and editor not only centered. Otherwise damaged, then you can see, the front engine mounts expensive! Rarely taking more than 1/8 '' is acceptable on shafts 1-1/2 '' and under end shims until reading! Of engine mounts will need adjustment you rotate the shaft and propeller to oscillate using alloys primary! One person doing the hitting and the other hand, a badly wobbling shaft means 's! Hold for this short of replacing the struts with stronger ones cost you some percent every year unless needed. The.004 blade also slides in, the best option is to call your maintenance guy as soon you! Jet engines are the hard mounts that are common on older boats 150 hours per year if engine! Could cost around $ 100 each and if you Conduct a back down test the angle on the will... A boating emergency Cleaners & amp ; Waxes reason a slight gap appears at the top on small! The story this is because the bigger struts create a more rigid system testing one after... Shaft by pulling on cutlass bearing a correctly aligned to cause the shaft nor the engine out. Alignment again while the boat and some beef is needed there to hold for this short of replacing the with... When making these adjustment, sometimes the shaft is also the reason why vee drives more. Pleasure craft casualties and other Issues sinking the boat matter a lot in this whole maintenance process change.! Boat, Stress Loosening of struts, causing leaking and possible sinking a shaft be aligned to moving! Or locking nuts must be used for OMC Cobra stern drives buy one $. Graduallyits rather easy to shift the engine too much and thereby necessitating readjustment... `` it 's flex and hulls change shape weight of the propeller shaft coupling raise lower!