Inboard shaft question?

[dmese]

I'm in the process of installing a new motor. I went up in shaft size, replaced the cutlass, and modified the strut: Here are the questions? Is the strut supposed to be perfectly centered on the boat? Should the shaft be perfectly parallel to the strakes? Is there any room for error? Any thoughts on this matter would be much appreciated.

[joey]

No room for error. Any slight alignment issues will cause all kinds of problems.Vibration will be the start which will cause wear on the motor mounts and cutless bearing,not to mention shaft and prop issue's.Rudder post is not as critical,some are a tad off center so the shaft can slip by without dropping the rudder.
Good luck.

[seabob4]

Hello,
New member here. Now work for ProLine but did a ton of inboards when I was with Stamas Yacht for 5 years. Most importantly, make sure your shaft strut is the same angle as your shaft coupling. Secondly, try to get the strut as centered in it's landing as possible, but it doesn't have to be perfect. Adjusting the mounts on the motor can take care of a little side-to-side offset. But center your rudder port. The shaft will not be removed from the ass end, due to the coupling at the engine end. It will come out, if need be, with the motor out and slid out forward.

Once install is complete and alignment done, put the boat back in the water, re-align due to hull flex, tighten coupling bolts, run motor at the dock up to full throttle, "feeling" for any undue vibration. Vibration present? Loosen coupling bolts and re-align. Good to go? Run boat for 50 hours and recheck alignment. Then you should be off and running.

[Finster]

Seabob4, welcome aboard. Good info.

[seabob4]

Thank you sir. Just trying to help. We used to do our alignments to .0025, and let me tell you, some motors would just fight you tooth and nail! Get it totally out of whack and start again! Outboards? No comparison. But if I can help, I'll be happy to.

I may be in Florida, but I know South Jersey Boats. Ocean, Post, Egg Harbor, and my favorite, although it's a bit further north in New Gretna, Viking. And everybody thinks of the Soprano's when it comes to New Jersey. Go figya!

[Finster]

although it's a bit further north in New Gretna, Viking.

Yup, that's about 5 minutes from my house.

Yeah, I know what you mean about shaft alignment, I shimed big Detroit's and it's a real treat.

[GetReel]

"I shimed big Detroit's..." I bet ya did...talk about 'shaft alignment'...

[Finster]

"I shimed big Detroit's..." I bet ya did...talk about 'shaft alignment'...

Jeff, Why so bitter? Hitting the bottle again at noon? How many detroits have you rebuilt?...Yeah I thought so....No I may not be an expert on shaft alignment, but I have shimed a few.

[GetReel]

Chris, it was intended as a joke and not a shot...sorry if it did not translate well.