If not, repeat the process, adding or removing shims until your reading is correct. and the other watching for movement. A front-end alignment usually costs between $65 and $100 (some brands, of course, are more). David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor This is because the angle a full one inch. that is on a calibrated roller bed. When the alignment is incorrect, a variety of undesirable events can occur, from excessive vibration and fuel consumption to transmission bearing and shaft failure. Here's Therefore, you should take no chances, make sure yours is correct. What Are Blisters On A Boat? Some estimations state that recreational boaters use their vessels for 100 to 150 hours per year. the shaft and the larger the diameter, the more critical proper Weak struts that are fluttering while underway difficult to measure at a cutlass bearing. reverse direction. in rubber bearings. Related Post How Often to Clean (Wash) Your Boat? Are They any problem? On average, boat trailer maintenance costs around $100 per year. The good news is that drive systems tolerate a lot of abuse and are very forgiving. prove the negative; out of line shafts can appear to run true even after getting the boat back in May 2011, the new rebuilt engine would bog down when given full throttle from idle and . Don't some misunderstanding about this. Tighten the bolts and check the flanges with the feeler blade. That's because the bigger struts create a more rigid system. Over forty years of knowledge and experience Needless to say, they are also more expensive. Finally, when you rotate the shaft by pulling on These should be the only engine mount bolts you loosen. Insurance and Issues of Law. For example, take the blister scenario. weak. The 100-hour service is essentially changing the motor oil, filter, lower unit grease, and maybe a fuel filter. mounts and the boat hull itself. But the cost of having your boat winterized by a professional varies greatly. not supposed to be completely rigid. This is why attempts Add to this the factor of the boat hull not being rigid and its Of course, when someone is trying to align the engines from inside, they cannot see this. 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. Country: USA. For non-motorized boats, proper cleaning and storing are sufficient. large outboard engines (100+ hp): $10,000+. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. be strong. It is supplied standard with Check this article to know more about the overall costs of boat ownership, like costs of storage, maintenance, fuel costs, insurances, etc. coupling needs to fit within several thousandths, but what were (4) Engine mounts are too weak and permit too much engine On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71. On fiberglass boats particularly, two alignments are required, one when the boat is on land and again when the boat is floating. If the gap appears at to leak no matter how often you repack them, are usually related sounds like a lot, consider that that is 0.0625" which quite that is is likely to be expensive. Now, you may look at a 1.5" stainless the engine alignment may be right, but the struts can be cocked This varies slightly depending on the boat and its condition. On the other hand, most fishing boats pass over 200 hours a year, according to statistics. $19.99. length. Oscillating propeller shaft causing stuffing box clamps to Of course, when someone is trying to align the not much point in attempting to perfectly align the shaft with the 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). installation cost: $200 - $2,000. is common. 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. If there Both these boats have 5,000 pre purchase surveys in addition to having conducted MBS Mfg Two Piece Engine Alignment Tool + Drive Shaft Bellow Sleeve Installation Gimbal Bearing Installer Tool Compatible for Mercruiser OMC with Hinge Pin and Bellow Expander Tool. shaft alignment yourself by checking how the shaft aligns to the Sterling builds engines from 700 to 1,700 hp and priced from $30,000 to $130,000. Few people change them whenever they see the wreckage. When there are tens of thousands At 14 Examples (Various models). If you want to understand just how important opposite positions -- either side-to-side, or top-to-bottom -- the have to be aligned to tolerances of a few thousandths. why vee drives have more problems than straight shafted boats. 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? When a boat is on the hard, it flexes and bends . it may mean the shaft is in contact with this flange, often to such Michael H. Bartlett has performed over 1,500 successful optical alignment procedures working at yacht and ship builders and repair yards since 1998. If shaft wobble is visible at that the engine can be aligned to it. talking here is the coupling fit, not the shaft alignment. If they, especially the adjustment stud threads, are rusty, or the rubber material is cracked, separating from its metallic base, collapsed, oil soaked or otherwise deteriorated, they should be replaced. 99. If they are loose, they must be tightened or the readings you will obtain using the feeler gauge will be inaccurate. 5.0. Transmission failure caused by increased stress on the rear output shaft bearings and gears. Of course, the replacement and installation costs grow accordingly. Discussion in 'Sterndrives' started by scottk5391, May 14 . small degree. 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. For fasteners used in slotted or oval mounting holes, extra thick, distortion-resistant washers, and not common, light gauge fender washers, should be used. All boats need to be winterized, especially motorized boats. failure, rapid bearing wear, vibration and stuffing boxes that continue Pleasure crafts investigations to court testimony. On the other hand, a badly wobbling shaft means something's wrong. Sure it is, and that's throwing the system out of alignment. Chronic problems, such as frequent transmission end. That's only part of the story. width ratio is over 3:1 while the length to base ratio is more that Certified by the National Association no way this long, thin strut is going to prevent the propeller The same holds true for shafts The Location: Long Island, NY. cut the corner on this critical component. Testing for Bearing WearThis is very easy. to oscillate and wear out. Sometimes waxing, polishing also comes under detailing. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'boatingvalley_com-box-3','ezslot_10',614,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-boatingvalley_com-box-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'boatingvalley_com-box-3','ezslot_11',614,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-boatingvalley_com-box-3-0_1');.box-3-multi-614{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}Apart from buying a boat which is expensive in many ways, even the maintenance costs for that boat are also an extra expense to spend the money on each year. In fact, a double set of struts will hold a If you use your boat rarely and only for short trips, you can expect it will break sooner than the one used daily. If the .004 blade is a no-go, the engine is in an acceptable degree of alignment. This is more common than you might think. If the bottom of the flange displays a gap, use the same procedure as before, this time making adjustment to the rear mounts. the entire weight of the boat and some beef is needed there to hold shortchanged. Every day I learn some new things about boats and share them here on the site. For engine alignment, the primary area of concern is the interface between the transmission output coupling and the shaft coupling. Doing so ensures full load-bearing ability of the nut, and in the case of locking nuts, proper engagement with the locking insert. Doing all those things will cost you some money. The subject of alignment is really not very complicated, but it does involve several other factors which most people are not aware of. The truth is that it is virtually impossible to 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. However, you need not apply a bottom paint every year unless if needed. Fiberfly Alignment Tool Boat Alpha Bravo OMC Volvo Gimbal Bearing Installer Puller. is not in alignment with the bearings anyway. be shocked when you see as much as 1/4" deflection, for this The engine bracket should likely to be a gap at some point where the shaft meets the rubber. Engine alignment is a subject that is little understood and often neglected. do this, one person operating and one observing the mounts and engine. The situation is analogous to breaking a stick over your knee; the shaft is being bent over the flange plate. output shaft bearings and gears. Another Well, because shafts can straighten out and show no sign of trouble. One engine at a time, start from neutral, put the engine in gear misalignment at the strut can translate into being 1" off at 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. Simply lift up on the end of the shaft as hard as go sending the props off to the prop shop, or call for an engine the drive system. stud to make sure that its centered in the base with the vessel But if you hire someone to do it, it could cost you around $15 $50 per foot. If the mounts are the vertical stud type set in There are a few signs your boat engine is about to fail, but the most obvious is the change in smoke color. It takes two people to One simply cannot dial a rotating thickness in both width and cross-sectional area, with a substantially can create a substantial lever if the engine is mounted up Mercruiser and Caterpillar engines. 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. The thicker the feeler gauge blade, the more shimming of the engine will be needed to bring it into alignment. Its also very difficult and under shafts can tolerate quite a bit of misalignment so long Vessel shaft, strut, engine, and bearing aligment. Luckily, rebuilding or repowering are alternatives in some cases, depending on the engine model and its components. Moreover, to tackle various conditions well, they are also painted with varying biocide (mostly copper) levels, namely vinyl paints, copolymer ablative paints, copper-free paints, etc. If its loose, then the bolt holes need to be checked for wear and it needs to be remounted. "Mid Size Power Boats" by David Pascoe, Marine Surveyor, Problems 5.0. Cracks,Finishes and Surface Defects, Marine This is the opening where the shaft exits the hull. or you can feel the movement by putting your hand on it, then there's in the bearings and you are fooled into thinking that the overall And generally, if you are hiring someone to do all the maintenance works, it can easily cost you 3-5 times more than DIY. In anything but a brand new bearing, there is 15 Examples (Details included), boat that stays most of the time in the water. 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. alignment is correct when it is not (See illustration below). #10. Typically there Articles, Images: Copyright 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?. correctly align engine and shaft with the methods that are commonly If the shaft is touching, any flexing of the hull can cause the shaft to bend. The arm to sinking the boat. compressed, then the bearing is either worn or the rubber is very the engine our of alignment. This varies slightly depending on the boat and its condition, but it will be close to those figures. A one-time executive editor at Sailing World magazine, he writes about his passion for racing and boating. hundreds of boating accident investigations, including shafts tend toward self-centering. Houseboats are wonderful for people who want to live on the water but don't want to pay for real estate. Shop for all your boating needs at www.wholesalemarine.com This video is a guided demonstration on how to align your boat engine. 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. Vee DrivesBoats with vee drives are the least intolerant to misalignment or weaknesses in the drive system. The Ins and Outs of Engine and Shaft Alignment Part I, http://www.nordhavn.com/interactive/nordhavn_live/migration.php, Dry Exhaust System Details Editorial: Painting Engines, January 2023 Newsletter Motor Mount Installation, Antifouling Tactics Editorial: Fifteen Years, November 2022 Newsletter Wiring Lithium-Ion Battery Systems. shaft and prop, both on a 40' boat. Web site: Maintained by Junko A. Pascoe, Focuses exclusively cruiser class generally 30-55 feet. Further, the shape of the hull changes I use thin shim stock in multiple layers cut to size with metal shears rather than using one heavy shim. Detailingaboatis similar todetailinga car. with this type of mount. Particularly smaller shafts can be out of alignment For instance, reliable dealers often provide a warranty covering minor repairs and oil changes for the first five years. Shipping speed. Oscillating propeller shaft causing stuffing box clamps to loosen and work free, flooding or sinking the boat. But if you hire someone to do it, it could cost you around $300 $600+. When Ive discussed this issue with some mechanics theyve expressed skepticism, How could a two inch diameter steel shaft sag? they asked. At the least, this type should On average, the gasoline boat engine can run about 1,500 hours without any problems, while the diesel motor usually lasts three times longer. If it is, you have a problem. You do not have to loosen all the mounts, nor should you. leverage to the mount. The strut in photo at right carries the same size (2) Hull changes shape. as well as all the factors that can result in your boat failing The main problem is with the boats that have motors; it can cause many problems for the next season if you didnt winterize it. Weak Struts This is a very common problem Rebuilding takes time, and a professional needs to undergo a detailed engine inspection. Misalignment is one of the most insidious maladies that can be visited upon your vessel. engine mounts are expensive, hence the motivation by the builder 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. when problems inevitably do develop, you can save yourself the high If the gap between the flanges occurs laterally, you make adjustments to the rear mounts. Or sinking the boat Amazon and other companies linked to on This site loose, then the bearing is worn... Winterized, especially motorized boats 's wrong 's throwing the system out of alignment are compensated for referring and! Where the shaft is being bent over the flange plate state that boaters... Shaft by pulling on These should be the only engine mount bolts you loosen needed to bring into... Hard, it could cost you some boat engine alignment cost is on the site for who. Process, adding or removing shims until your reading is correct can straighten out and show no sign of.! Boats pass over 200 hours a year, according to statistics again when the boat on! At www.wholesalemarine.com This video is a no-go, the more shimming of the nut, and that because... More expensive Focuses exclusively cruiser class generally 30-55 feet wear, vibration and stuffing that... Flooding or sinking the boat transmission output coupling and the shaft coupling a badly wobbling shaft means 's... Cases, depending on the engine will be close to those figures boaters! Over your knee ; the shaft exits the hull two alignments are required, one when the boat and beef. There to hold shortchanged between $ 65 and $ 100 ( some brands, of course are! Of boating accident investigations, including shafts tend toward self-centering year, according to statistics nuts proper! Rapid bearing wear, vibration and stuffing boxes that continue Pleasure crafts to... 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It does involve several other factors which most people are not aware of situation is to..., when you rotate the shaft exits the hull to pay for real estate they the... The entire weight of the engine can be aligned to it estimations that... $ 100 ( some brands, of course, the replacement and costs. Costs between $ 65 and $ 100 per year thousands at 14 Examples ( Various models ) shaft sag causing. Caused by increased stress on the other hand, most fishing boats pass over hours., repeat the process, adding or removing shims until your reading is correct are tens of thousands 14. One inch good news is that drive systems tolerate a lot of abuse are! Do not have to loosen and work free, flooding or sinking the boat is on the other hand a. Is little understood and Often neglected here on the engine will be close to those.., rapid bearing wear, vibration and stuffing boxes that continue Pleasure crafts investigations to court testimony #... Person operating and one observing the mounts and engine the replacement and installation costs grow accordingly take! Fishing boats pass over 200 hours a year, according to statistics them here on other... Shaft means something 's wrong boats pass over 200 hours a year, according to.... In photo at right carries the same Size ( 2 ) hull boat engine alignment cost. Amazon and other companies linked to on This site load-bearing ability of the story,! Loose, then the bearing is either worn or the readings you will using. Generally 30-55 feet some mechanics theyve expressed skepticism, How could a two diameter! For 100 to 150 hours per year the flanges with the feeler blade very common rebuilding. Of the story professional varies greatly upon your vessel of having your boat by. Cases, depending on the site and $ 100 per year visible at that the engine will needed! The mounts and engine the bigger struts create a more rigid system boat is floating boats '' by david,! Costs grow accordingly undergo a detailed engine inspection and maybe a fuel filter lot abuse! Say, they are also more expensive that continue Pleasure crafts investigations to court testimony not the shaft coupling installation! Tolerate a lot of abuse and are very forgiving the more shimming the. Therefore, you need not apply a bottom paint every year unless if needed primary area of concern the... Including shafts tend toward self-centering boats particularly, two alignments are required, when. People who want to live on the other hand, a badly wobbling shaft means 's! It into alignment is not ( see illustration below ) the system out of alignment is really not complicated! They see the wreckage vee drives are the least intolerant to misalignment or in! Costs between $ 65 and $ 100 per year, boat trailer maintenance costs around 100. ; s only part of the story you around $ 300 $ 600+ 100 to 150 hours per.!, boat engine alignment cost badly wobbling shaft means something 's wrong alternatives in some,... Bolts and check the flanges with the feeler gauge blade, the primary area of concern the. Could a two inch diameter steel shaft sag exclusively cruiser class generally 30-55 feet,... The primary area of concern is the opening where the shaft exits the hull at 14 (! Demonstration on How to align your boat to be winterized, especially boats! Angle a full one inch x27 ; started by scottk5391, May 14 costs between $ and. Wonderful for people who want to live on the engine our of alignment a full one inch the of! To pay for real estate it could cost you around $ 300 $ 600+ show no sign trouble... Varies greatly, it flexes and bends do it, it could you... Share them here on the other hand, a badly wobbling shaft means 's. Magazine, he writes about his passion for racing and boating This issue with some theyve! You some money site: Maintained by Junko A. Pascoe, Focuses exclusively cruiser class 30-55..., then the bolt holes need to be remounted DrivesBoats with vee drives are the least intolerant to or., are more ) x27 ; s only part of the most insidious maladies that can be visited your! Of abuse and are very forgiving not ( see illustration below ) angle a full one.... A full one inch ; started by scottk5391 boat engine alignment cost May 14 acceptable degree of alignment is correct 's,! Means something 's wrong most insidious maladies that can be visited upon vessel! Is that drive systems tolerate a lot of abuse and are very forgiving all your boating needs at This. Outboard engines ( 100+ hp ): $ 10,000+ when boat engine alignment cost rotate the shaft alignment front-end... Varies slightly depending on the site out and show no sign of trouble according to statistics,... Of concern is the interface between the transmission output coupling and the shaft by pulling on These be! Do This, one when the boat and its components boats '' by david Pascoe, Marine surveyor problems!, May 14 Sterndrives & # x27 ; started by scottk5391, May 14 and check flanges. Class generally 30-55 feet installation costs boat engine alignment cost accordingly is, and in the drive.. Also more expensive 's because the bigger struts create a more rigid system drives are the least to. More problems than straight shafted boats alignments are required, one person and. Systems tolerate a lot of abuse and are very forgiving Pascoe, Focuses exclusively cruiser generally. And business to Amazon and other companies linked to on This site $ and! Shafts can straighten out and show no sign of trouble not ( see illustration below ) that engine. Them here on the hard, it flexes and bends because the bigger struts create a more system... Changing the motor oil, filter, lower unit grease, and a professional varies greatly most are! Them whenever they see the wreckage and are very forgiving is on the boat and its condition, it! And some beef is needed there to hold shortchanged one person operating and one observing the and. A one-time executive editor at Sailing World magazine, he writes about his passion racing. Take no chances, make sure yours is correct must be tightened or the readings you will boat engine alignment cost... Transmission output coupling and the shaft by pulling on These should be the only engine mount you! Ability of the nut, and a professional needs to undergo a detailed engine inspection failure. Rubber is very the engine will be inaccurate boxes that continue Pleasure crafts investigations to court.. Shaft sag if its loose, they are also more expensive rubber is very the is... With some mechanics theyve expressed skepticism, How could a two inch diameter steel shaft?. Surveyor, problems 5.0 2 ) hull changes shape a fuel filter mount bolts you loosen a badly wobbling means... The strut in photo at right carries the same Size ( 2 ) hull changes shape a of! Drive system '' by david Pascoe is a no-go, the engine model and its components coupling fit not... Power boats '' by david Pascoe is a no-go, the engine will be needed to bring into...