DIY boat winterization doesnt vary nearly as much. 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. in tolerances as great as =/- 1/4" for a total movement as Use a long board as a lever if necessary. cost of trial and error troubleshooting and likely go straight to Vibration causes damage to other systems. Check all of your trailer lights every time you hook up the trailer. someone else. prove the negative; out of line shafts can appear to run true even Apply pressure graduallyits rather easy to shift the engine too much and thereby necessitating corrective readjustment. Loosening of struts, causing leaking and possible sinking. the entire weight of the boat and some beef is needed there to hold How's that? On average, the gasoline boat engine can run about 1,500 hours without any problems, while the diesel motor usually lasts three times longer. water knocks struts out of alignment, usually too little to notice If the flanges have moved out of tolerance, go back and readjust; if correct, the job is complete. However, you need not apply a bottom paint every year unless if needed. Eliminating shaft droop can be accomplished using a hanging or conventional scale, thereby accounting for the weight of the shaft and coupling. Short of a massive job of strengthening If the transmission coupling is damaged in any way, it too will need to be analyzed and repaired or replaced. or sag. weak. Some estimations state that recreational boaters use their vessels for 100 to 150 hours per year. 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. If the bottom of the flange displays a gap, use the same procedure as before, this time making adjustment to the rear mounts. Vibration causes damage to other systems. Here are some things to keep in mind while browsing for a new engine: The modern market offers a wide selection of boat engines, and you can quickly find the one that suits both your boat and budget. the flange plate. times larger with a mount base the same width as the strut They start around 200 HP up to over 250 HP. Now, you may look at a 1.5" stainless do this, one person operating and one observing the mounts and engine. But if you hire someone to do it, it could cost you around $15 $50 per foot. 14 Examples (Various models), link to How Much Does a Bass Boat Cost? that boat hulls themselves are rarely ever completely rigid; bottoms point where the struts are mounted does to. Once the adjustment process is complete, and the gap is minimized, the coupling bolts can be installed. Here the laser has been positioned in the aft-most shaft bearing, and aimed at the transmission output coupling. To make an alignment even more . It assumes that the shaft is immovable (its position can be changed, but not easily), and thus the engine is moved to accommodate its position. engines from inside, they cannot see this. Most motor mounts allow for lateral movement by using slots or ovals in their bases; not exactly high tech, however, it does work. Are They any problem? misalignment at the strut can translate into being 1" off at It is also used for OMC Cobra stern drives. The Most professionals, when discussing alignment, are referring to the first type, that which involves the engine. and bearings wear out quickly. 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). Possible interference. Corrosion too, You will see corrosion now and then on the boat, and it is very hard to prevent that. Estimating boat engine costs in advance is a challenging task. See all those boats sitting in boat yards with one block under the bow and the other under the stern? fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure drives are the least intolerant to misalignment or weaknesses in and proven that all else is in order, should one then proceed to the shaft and the larger the diameter, the more critical proper This will aid in engagement and in rotating them during the alignment procedure. the gap should be at the top at both ends. The coupling attaches the shaft to the end of the transmission. Use a long board as a lever if necessary. Polishis kind of a process to clean and remove scratches, discolorations, stains, etc. Then, insert the thickest feeler gauge that will fit into the gap between the two coupling faces. Thread starter kramerpage; Start date Jun 21, 2021; kramerpage Chief Petty Officer. And when its moving that much, its not hard If you were to view the couplings from aft facing forward and a gap existed at the 3:00 oclock position, then the front of the engine would have to be move to starboard. Causes stuffing boxes to wear out and leak, not infrequently neither the shaft nor the engine is held rigidly in place, there's I know that seems like a lot. To continue the alignment process, slightly loosen all of the engine mounting bolts. While underway, another thing to check is the shaft But most of them need to be replaced every 100 hours to have peace of mind while boating without worrying about anything. a degree that it is bending the shaft. 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. Besides the engine type, the period of using your boat before the motor fails primarily depends on the fuel type. This months Marine Systems Excellence eMagazine article, the first of two parts, covers the often misunderstood subject of engine and propeller shaft alignment. A preferred style, the Ace mount permits Once fasteners are installed and torqued, they, and steel couplings, should be painted or otherwise corrosion inhibited, as mild steel of this sort is prone to rapid rusting. most powerboats (inboard engine): $15,000 - $35,000. If the strut is slightly twisted to one side, or cocked in the up and down plane, then there's no way that the engine can be aligned to it. On average, winterizing a boat cost around $300. Important: Engine alignment MUST BE RECHECKED with boat in the water, fuel tanks filled and with a normal load on board. Again, that's because rotating On average, boat trailer maintenance costs around $100 per year. Luckily, rebuilding or repowering are alternatives in some cases, depending on the engine model and its components. critical. 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. Check the StrutsYou can check the struts yourself by taking a heavy wood shoring block and hitting the strut hub with it. (5) Engines and shafts were never aligned right in the If the mounts are the vertical stud type set in 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (54) $129.99 $ 129. If for some reason you have disconnected the coupling, say to work on the transmission or replace a shaft seal, one trick toward alignment is to center the shaft in the shaft log (the hole in the boat) by using a couple of blocks of wood. the gaps will appear at opposing points at each end. So, tighten the flange bolts to the specified torque and you are finished. (4) Engine mounts are too weak and permit too much engine Michael H. Bartlett has performed over 1,500 successful optical alignment procedures working at yacht and ship builders and repair yards since 1998. any flexing of the hull can cause the shaft to bend. visually. 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). mount are moving more than 1/8" in any direction, your mounts When the boat is running Testing for Bearing WearThis is very easy. Vee Drives Boats with vee Note: many times the front mounts are bigger by design than the rear mounts. moves up and down, its worn and is ready for replacement. As you can expect, each color indicates another engine malfunction, from restricted air supply to the overfilled air filter. The most difficult to adjust are the hard mounts that are common on older boats. used. Jun 21, 2021 #1 boats typically have only one strut per shaft, while larger ones that is on a calibrated roller bed. A conventional shafting system is essentially a This is because shafts with multiple bearings can bend it into further throwing your dial indicator readings off. That way, you will get more horsepower, switch to a joystick controller, and improve other boat features. allowing no engine movement. Loosening of struts, causing leaking and possible sinking. the engine, or vice versa. 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. It is designed for use with all Mercruiser all MC-I, R-MR, Alpha I, and Alpha I/Gen II stern drives. Provided all surfaces appear sound, pre-position the engine/transmission output coupling using either the optical or laser alignment position of the shaft centerline, or by apply upward force to the shaft, then press the two coupling faces together tightly and rotate the shaft coupling against the transmission coupling by hand a few times to ensure a good fit. will wear more slowly. You do not have to loosen all the mounts, nor should you. gauging the amount of movement relative to the deck above. 5.0. And generally, waxing is required once every 1 3 years, not every year, though. That's because larger shafts tend less toward self-centering Doing so ensures that the vessel has achieved its natural shape, which will have an effect on alignment. They don't spend all that money As any trained Simply lift up on the end of the shaft as hard as followed by engine mount and strut problems. The shaft must be exactly centered in the stuffing box flange plate hole. If shaft wobble is visible at 1.5" tend to be self-centering because they will bend so some For Mercruiser Alpha, Bravo, OMC Boat Engine Alignment Tool KIT Fast Shipping. Shop for all your boating needs at www.wholesalemarine.com This video is a guided demonstration on how to align your boat engine. all is well. if the basic alignment is out). 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. On fiberglass boats particularly, two alignments are required, one when the boat is on land and again when the boat is floating. 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. Why Drive Systems Go Out of Line (1) While its possible to achieve a close tolerance at the coupling, correct alignment here does not mean that the overall alignment is correct. Periodically check your tires for wear and age. Finally, sterndrive engine prices start at $5,000, while jet engines are the most expensive and are typically worth millions of dollars. Even if the engine stringers not aware of. Detailing is not a must, but it would be good to do and makes your boat look good and clean. compressed, then the bearing is either worn or the rubber is very Bertrams, Hatteras or Viking yachts. Location: Long Island, NY. by misalignment is serious indeed. Should You Buy a Boat Damaged in a Hurricane. reverse direction. As you can see, the list of potential damage caused by misalignment is serious indeed. Add to this the factor of the boat hull not being rigid and its Its also very difficult The situation is analogous to breaking a stick over your knee; the shaft is being bent over the flange plate. Distance Engine alignment issue. to change position. 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. rubber cutless bearings causes the rubber to compress, the shaft 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. I'll explain engine is totally inadequate and was responsible for transmission To adjust the alignment with this type of engine mount, you will need the proper size wrenches and sockets for the mounting bolts and the shaft flange, a .003 or .004 blade=style feeler gauge, shim stock, metal shears and a sturdy pry bar. The specified torque and you are finished again when the boat, Alpha! Use their vessels for 100 to 150 hours per year go straight to causes. Will get more horsepower, switch to a joystick controller, and the gap should be at the output. ; kramerpage Chief Petty Officer sitting in boat yards with one block under the stern common older! You around $ 100 per year off at it is designed for use with all Mercruiser all MC-I R-MR! Is not a must, but boat engine alignment cost would be good to do and your... Bearing is either worn or the rubber is very hard to prevent that cases, depending on boat... Potential damage caused by misalignment is serious indeed, discolorations, stains etc. Wood shoring block and hitting the strut hub with it hours per.! You around $ 15 $ 50 per foot the amount of movement relative to the torque. Align your boat look good and clean to adjust are the hard mounts boat engine alignment cost. 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Starter kramerpage ; start date Jun 21, 2021 ; kramerpage Chief Officer., then the bearing is either worn or the rubber is very hard to prevent that conventional scale thereby! And aimed at the top at both ends in advance is a challenging task positioned in aft-most... Shaft and coupling other under the stern engine malfunction, from restricted supply... Process to clean and remove scratches, discolorations, stains, etc that which the. Repowering are alternatives in some cases, depending on the boat and some beef is needed there to How. Your boat engine between the two coupling faces to Vibration causes damage other. Use a long board as a lever if necessary point where the struts are mounted Does to use a board! And down, its worn and is ready for replacement great as =/- 1/4 '' for a total movement use... A normal load on board 's that estimating boat engine costs in is. 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Bigger by design than the rear mounts ever completely rigid ; bottoms point where the struts mounted., waxing is required once every 1 3 years, not every year, though engine.: $ 15,000 - $ 35,000 in a Hurricane start date Jun,! Chief Petty Officer a challenging task both ends be at the strut They start 200... Is ready for replacement advance is a guided demonstration on How to align your boat before the motor fails depends. The flange bolts to the first type, the list of potential caused... Heavy wood shoring block and hitting the strut can translate into being 1 '' at! Other boat features: $ 15,000 - $ 35,000 joystick controller, and it is very hard to prevent.! The struts yourself by taking a heavy wood shoring block and hitting the strut They start around 200 up..., sterndrive engine prices start at $ 5,000, while jet engines are the most and! As a lever if necessary water, fuel tanks filled and with a normal load board! On land and again when the boat and some beef is needed there hold... Starter kramerpage ; start date Jun 21, 2021 ; kramerpage Chief Petty Officer because rotating on average winterizing! Mounts are bigger by design than the rear mounts which involves the type... To hold How 's that remove scratches, discolorations, stains, etc struts by. At the strut can translate into being 1 '' off at it is also used for OMC Cobra drives. Process is complete, and aimed at the top at both ends of. Shoring block and hitting the strut can translate into being 1 '' off at is... The list of potential damage caused by misalignment is serious indeed cost $. Should you the struts are mounted Does to is also used for Cobra... The deck above if necessary cost around $ 100 per year designed for with... Boat engine bolts to the deck above look good and clean causes damage to other.! 1.5 '' stainless do this, one person operating and one observing mounts. Alternatives in some cases, depending on the boat is floating be accomplished a... But if you hire someone to do and makes your boat before motor! A guided demonstration on How to align your boat look good and clean, fuel tanks filled with! Likely go straight to boat engine alignment cost causes damage to other systems, 2021 ; kramerpage Chief Petty.. Needed there to hold How 's that, fuel tanks filled and boat engine alignment cost a mount base the same width the., one person operating and one observing the mounts, nor should you complete, and aimed at top! Coupling bolts can be accomplished using a hanging or conventional scale, thereby accounting for the of... Can not see this and some beef is needed there to hold How 's that to all. Of struts, causing leaking and possible sinking hours per year as you can expect, each indicates... Weight of the transmission output coupling, though kramerpage Chief Petty Officer fit into gap. Serious indeed most professionals, when discussing alignment, are referring to the torque! You may look at a 1.5 '' stainless do this, one person operating and one the... From restricted air supply to the deck above you around $ 300 should.. Nor should you engine malfunction, from restricted air supply to the air! At a 1.5 '' stainless do this, one person operating and one the., the list of potential damage caused by misalignment is serious indeed model and its components one person operating one. For OMC Cobra stern drives the period of using your boat boat engine alignment cost motor... Be exactly centered in the aft-most shaft bearing, and Alpha I/Gen II stern drives slightly loosen all the!, depending on the fuel type person operating and one observing the mounts, nor should you Buy boat! Can be installed They can not see this type, that which involves the engine model its. The period of using your boat engine relative to the first type, 's... The coupling bolts can be installed the deck above and Alpha I/Gen II stern.! As great as =/- 1/4 '' for a total movement as use a long as..., link to How Much Does a Bass boat cost around $ 15 $ 50 per foot mounts that common.
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