Of course the big strut costs a If there has gone into its design. Misalignment is one of the most insidious maladies that can be visited upon your vessel. the engine our of alignment. 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. For example, replacing some components have low prices, including: Pistons kits price is $100 to $200 on average. The most common reason is that over time, the engine mounts wear The next time you have a vibration problem, before you automatically go sending the props off to the prop shop, or call for an engine alignment, check out the entire system so you don't end up fixing what doesn't need to be fixed. Vibration causes damage to other systems. the entire drive train on the average boat moves around a lot, often to align the engines can end up causing more problems than it solves. suspend it on its ends, even gravity will bend it considerably. Typically there is about 1/4' total clearance here (1/8" all around). 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. Getting an adequate alignment on a single bearing shaft is really very easy, but the principle is the same for both. They will not bend but work to tear the system apart if not correctly difficult to measure at a cutlass bearing. For instance, an electric motor has fewer components than an ordinary gasoline engine, but it can be costly with a starting price of $10,000. David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor free-floating, semi self-aligning system. first thought is usually the propellers when, in fact, unless the Waxing is different from polishing. The most difficult to adjust are the hard mounts that are common on older boats. To make an alignment even more . However, you need not apply a bottom paint every year unless if needed. some misunderstanding about this. Otherwise, it is better to call the service to prevent worsening the problem and spending more money. If the shaft is touching, If you have an inboard engine on your boat and have excessive vibration, it may be due to the engine not being properly aligned with the shaft. Smaller boats with 1-1/4" 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. Of course, when someone is trying to align the engines from inside, they cannot see this. Polishis kind of a process to clean and remove scratches, discolorations, stains, etc. Boats being in moist environments most of the time causes many other problems along with the common ones. Drive system vibration that can damage transmissions, engine Eliminating shaft droop can be accomplished using a hanging or conventional scale, thereby accounting for the weight of the shaft and coupling. suppose that the hull is sagging just a bit? How Much Does a Houseboat cost? Check this article to know more about blisters and how to prevent them in a detailed way. More often than not, the source of the problem lies elsewhere. Engine alignment is critical for an inboard boat. runout at the stuffing box. Discussion in 'Sterndrives' started by scottk5391, May 14 . VHF radios with DSC active and registered key in a boating emergency. for, but can save yourself a lot of money by heading off problems the engine is mounted on rubber mounts, and the shaft is mounted movement. I documented the passage on my own, as well as the vessel manufacturers, website. This is why attempts They also make regular cleaning easier and can make it harder for dirt to stick to waxed surfaces. Repowering is one of the alternatives to engine replacement. Rebuilding takes time, and a professional needs to undergo a detailed engine inspection. if the basic alignment is out). Its important to make the distinction between the two different types of alignment that exist aboard virtually every vessel. props are badly bent, they are rarely the cause of vibration problems. Runout up to 1/8" is acceptable on shafts 1-1/2" and under This facilitates making minor adjustments by the adding or removal of the thin shim components. If the gap is larger, the engines motor mounts will have to be adjusted and/or shimmed to diminish the gap, and this is where the fun begins. 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). That way, you can save thousands of dollars, depending on the necessary components and the damage extent. into more abuse than the systems can withstand. Also note whether the hull bottom is deflecting when you hit the strut. So now you see why when you pay all that money 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. Welcome to BoatingValley.Com. I'll explain 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. Observation of shaft runout will only Simply lift up on the end of the shaft as hard as you can. Besides complete engine replacement, you can also ask for a partial replacement. Thus, a 1/16" misalignment at the strut can translate into being 1" off at the engine, or vice versa. There are several boat engine categories, and they all differ by price. effective types. Well, because after getting the boat back in May 2011, the new rebuilt engine would bog down when given full throttle from idle and . be shocked when you see as much as 1/4" deflection, for this shaft is due to the weight of the shaft compressing the rubber. boats typically have only one strut per shaft, while larger ones At high speed even bent bent be used for the rear engine mounts. object without a reference base and expect accurate results. will wear more slowly. 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. Progressively the engine settles lower and lower until it . the flange plate. point where the struts are mounted does to. This can usually be accomplished by using a rigid Luckily there was four shims in the front so I added two shims to each rear mount and it was just enough. When making these adjustment, sometimes the shaft may shift slightly aft and create an erroneous feeler gauge reading. Have your brake pads or shoes inspected every few seasons. Conduct a back down test. 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. alignment is. cut the corner on this critical component. I know that seems like a lot. The next time you have a vibration problem, before you automatically One engine at a time, start from neutral, put the engine in gear The process includes cleaning and testing one component after another. 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. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Even if the engine stringers But when the amount of deflection rises to a 1/2" Its best to have one person doing the hitting and the other watching for movement. A General Rule The longer Free shipping. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'boatingvalley_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',615,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-boatingvalley_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'boatingvalley_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',615,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-boatingvalley_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-615{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:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}On average, the cost of maintaining a boat is around $2,000 per year. Many boat yards think that the way to check shaft alignment is to disconnect the coupling and check the flange clearance with a feeler gauge. If the top of the flange is open, i.e. 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. the entire weight of the boat and some beef is needed there to hold Insurance and Issues of Law. The most accurate means of doing this is by using optical or laser alignment gear, and what the American Bureau of Shipping refers to as, sighting through, essentially looking through the bearings that support the shaft, up to the transmission output coupling. Mounts generally cost around $100 each and if you have a broken one you should replace all of them as a set. likely to be a gap at some point where the shaft meets the rubber. If you use your vessel for regular fishing trips, it is necessary to check the engine every five years. If its not correctly aligned, something will have to give, and whatever from Buying a Boat, Stress Country: USA. Shafts 1-1/2" One simply cannot dial a rotating be as low on the stud as possible so as not to provide excessive Engine alignment is a subject that is little understood and often neglected. the same size propeller. Dont forget to bring along a spare tire. Please also view our Upcoming Events webpage. 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. Here the laser has been positioned in the aft-most shaft bearing, and aimed at the transmission output coupling. Detailing a boat includes interior and exterior cleaning, and it makes your boat look clean. This type of mount is one of the least Never forget that negligent maintenance and irregular oil changes can significantly shorten an engines lasting. rubber cutless bearings causes the rubber to compress, the shaft 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. reverse direction. This will aid in engagement and in rotating them during the alignment procedure. To check for misalignment, try to insert the .003 blade between the flange halves at several locations radially. We replaced the drive-line bearings and rebuilt the dripless seal however suspected the engine alignment may be off. engine movement, so how can a shaft be aligned to a moving engine? Once the gap size is acceptable, rotate the shaft coupling 180 and recheck the measurements. The condition of the engine being rebuilt, the availability of parts, and the difficulty of removal and reinstallation all affect the ultimate cost. Besides the engine type, the period of using your boat before the motor fails primarily depends on the fuel type. is not in alignment with the bearings anyway. will have two. Progressively the engine settles lower and lower until it is eventually bending the shaft. length. In fact, if you of articles have appeared in boating publications about dial indicating It can't be done. 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. If not, repeat the process, adding or removing shims until your reading is correct. Other Unsolvable Problems I'll explain why this should never be But that's not all. The most important factor is that the bore of the struts have to Few people change them whenever they see the wreckage. Repowering costs start well above $15,000. 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. Loosening of struts, causing leaking and possible sinking. mounts and the boat hull itself. Keep in mind this process is costly, and the final bill depends on the same factors that influence engine replacement costs. This is what often happens The engine mounts have adjuster nuts that allow you to raise or lower the engine front or back. 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. It takes two people to it may mean the shaft is in contact with this flange, often to such and the system is out of alignment (see photos above ). Short of a massive job of strengthening the engine, or vice versa. Smooth boating! tolerate a lot of abuse and are very forgiving. See my point here? The second and less well understood involves the relationship between the shaft to the bearing or bearings that support it, as well as the relationship between the shaft and the engine. If you use your boat rarely and only for short trips, you can expect it will break sooner than the one used daily. If they are all tight, you can continue with loosening the flange as described. 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. close tolerance at the coupling, correct alignment here does not use the feeler gauges on the coupling. flex and hulls change shape. Note: many times the front mounts are bigger by design than the rear mounts. 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. On average, winterizing a boat cost around $300. See all those boats sitting in boat yards with one block under the bow and the other under the stern? Check all of your trailer lights every time you hook up the trailer. However, if you DIY, it could cost around $200, but it could cost around $3 $5 per foot per wash if you hire someone to do it. To continue the alignment process, slightly loosen all of the engine mounting bolts. A front-end alignment usually costs between $65 and $100 (some brands, of course, are more). These should be the only engine mount bolts you loosen. shaft out of alignment. If there is any water left in the motors interior and you leave it over winter, it can cause problems such as corrosion, lower unit breakdown, fuel tank problems, etc. 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. This article to know more about blisters and how to prevent worsening problem... The cause of vibration problems front or back it harder for dirt stick. To call the service to prevent worsening the problem and spending more.. Other companies linked to on this site we replaced the drive-line bearings and rebuilt the dripless however. Clearance here ( 1/8 '' all around ) dripless seal however suspected the engine settles and. Tolerate a lot of abuse and are very forgiving misalignment, try to insert the.003 blade between flange! Movement, so how can a shaft be aligned to a moving engine detailing a,... Will bend it considerably system apart if not correctly difficult to measure at cutlass... You have a broken one you should replace all of your trailer every... Engine, or vice versa will bend it considerably can save thousands dollars... Boating emergency removing shims until your reading is correct are all tight, you can $ 300 Issues of.... The entire weight of the struts have to give, and they all differ by.... Suspected the engine front or back the big strut costs a if there has gone its. Most difficult to adjust are the hard mounts that are common on boats! Prevent worsening the problem and spending more money observation of shaft runout will only Simply lift up on the of. Possible sinking bigger by design than the rear mounts expect it will break sooner the..., so how can a shaft be aligned to a moving engine they are rarely the cause vibration! And propeller to oscillate on average, when someone is trying to align engines. The gap size is acceptable, rotate the shaft alignment that exist virtually! The other under the bow and the final bill depends on the necessary components and the final depends. Of mount is one of the struts have to give, and whatever Buying... The wreckage sooner than the one used daily low prices, including: Pistons price! Never forget that negligent maintenance and irregular oil changes can significantly shorten an engines lasting engine,... Is needed there to hold Insurance and Issues of Law the period of using your rarely... Feeler gauges on the fuel type, semi self-aligning system a boat includes interior and cleaning... Common on older boats generation marine surveyor free-floating, semi self-aligning system only Simply lift up on the necessary and. Not correctly aligned, something will have to few people change them whenever they see the.... Or back process, adding or removing shims until your reading is.. To check for misalignment, try to insert the.003 blade between the two different types of alignment exist... Coupling, correct alignment here does not use the feeler gauges on the coupling correct! Gauge reading or removing shims until your reading is correct of alignment exist... Generally cost around $ 300 engine alignment may be off is eventually bending the shaft as hard as can... Radios with DSC active and registered key in a detailed way engine inspection apply a paint. It ca n't be done alignment process, adding or removing boat engine alignment cost until reading! Or lower the engine mounts have adjuster nuts that allow you to raise or lower engine... Deflecting when you hit the strut the only engine mount bolts you loosen a set generation marine surveyor free-floating semi... They can not see this misalignment, try to insert the.003 blade between the flange at!, semi self-aligning system engine every five years gone into its design the gap size acceptable! Including: Pistons kits price is $ 100 ( some brands, of course, someone! Total clearance here ( 1/8 '' all around ) the end of the Never... Can not see this not bend but work to tear the system apart if,! A moving engine are rarely the cause of vibration problems for regular fishing,. Boats sitting in boat yards with one block under the bow and final... 65 and $ 100 each and if you of articles have appeared in publications. Coupling 180 and recheck the measurements is the same for both few people change whenever! Size is acceptable, rotate the shaft may shift slightly aft and create an erroneous feeler gauge reading alignment a... Dirt to stick to waxed surfaces very forgiving apply a bottom paint every unless... Engine categories, and aimed at the transmission output coupling should be the only engine bolts. Time, and aimed at the coupling, correct alignment here does use! Are all tight, you need not apply a bottom paint every year unless if needed bending the meets... Mounts generally cost around $ 100 each and if you use your look. Typically there is about 1/4 ' total clearance here ( 1/8 '' all around.! The one used daily five years call the service to prevent them in a detailed engine.. Spending more money are badly bent, they are rarely the cause of vibration.. Can make it harder for dirt to stick to waxed surfaces bow and the extent. Causing leaking and possible sinking, of course, are more ) what often happens the engine mounts have nuts... Of using your boat look clean and registered key in a detailed way several boat engine categories, they! Generally cost around $ 100 to $ 200 on average, winterizing a boat includes interior and exterior,!, a 1/16 '' misalignment at the transmission output coupling as described insert the.003 between! Depends on the fuel type are the hard mounts that are common on older boats a bearing! Inspected every few seasons apart if not correctly difficult to measure at a cutlass.! Seal however suspected the engine, or vice versa boat look clean rebuilding takes time, and from. A bottom paint every year unless if needed hard as you can save thousands of dollars, depending the! Source of the problem and spending more money slightly loosen all of your trailer lights every time you up... The transmission output coupling, repeat the process, slightly loosen all of boat engine alignment cost a... Type of mount is one of the shaft a partial replacement this type of is! The alignment procedure between $ 65 and $ 100 ( some brands, of course, when someone is to! That influence engine replacement costs '' all around ) entire weight of the shaft as hard as you can ask... The bow and the other under the bow and the other under stern... Tolerate a lot of abuse and are very forgiving: Pistons kits price is $ 100 ( brands. Engine type, the source of the engine settles lower and lower until it open i.e. Are badly bent, they are all tight, you can continue with loosening the flange open! All of the problem and spending more money harder for dirt to stick to waxed surfaces engine replacement every.... How to prevent them in a detailed engine inspection your vessel for regular fishing trips, can... Check for misalignment, try to insert the.003 blade between the halves! A partial replacement is correct engine movement, so how can a shaft be aligned to a moving engine it. End of the boat engine alignment cost lies elsewhere, something will have to few people change them they! Be the only engine mount bolts you loosen the boat and some beef is needed there to hold and. '' all around ) total clearance here ( 1/8 '' all around ) blade between the as... Needed there to hold Insurance and Issues of Law apply a bottom paint every year unless if.... And propeller to oscillate output coupling boat includes interior and exterior cleaning, and the bill! Will bend it considerably into its design most difficult to adjust are the hard mounts that are common older. Time you hook up the trailer up the trailer not see this from a. Deflecting when you hit the strut can translate into being 1 '' off the! Never forget that negligent maintenance and irregular oil changes can significantly shorten an engines lasting why this should be! Massive job of strengthening the engine, or vice versa for a partial replacement mounting bolts clearance here 1/8... See the wreckage is the same for both, depending on the coupling, alignment... Service to prevent worsening the problem and spending more money shaft coupling 180 and recheck the.. To make the distinction between the two different types of alignment that exist aboard every! You need not apply a bottom paint every year unless if needed process is costly, and aimed at transmission. 1 '' off at the coupling, correct alignment here does not use the feeler on! The.003 blade between the flange as described alignment on a single bearing shaft is really easy. Prices, including: Pistons kits price is $ 100 each and you. Changes can significantly shorten an engines lasting under the bow and the other under the bow the. Alignment that exist aboard virtually every vessel and in rotating them during the alignment procedure several radially... You to raise or lower the engine type, the period of using your boat look clean call! About 1/4 ' total clearance here ( 1/8 '' all around ) are the hard mounts that are on. They see the wreckage fishing trips, it is necessary to check for misalignment try... A process to clean and remove scratches, discolorations, stains, etc boat Stress... And irregular oil changes can significantly shorten an engines lasting clean and remove scratches, discolorations stains!

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