Well, I'm thinking of getting a cardboard sign and finding a nice freeway on-ramp somewhere nearby. The sign would read: Vet Needs Help Not Homeless... Just need money for the boat yard
I hauled out a couple of weeks ago for a bottom paint job, after getting a pretty decent quote at the Portland Boat Show from the best yard in town, Schooner Creek. The bottom was in great shape, blister free. But I noticed my prop was loose on the shaft, and even after tightening the nut, was still wobbling a bit. The taper at the end of the shaft is out of true, humped up a bit in the center, so that the prop won't seat snugly on the shaft. The yard also pointed out that my shaft is out of alignment, causing the cutlass bearing to wear unevenly. Since I would like to shorten the shaft to bring the prop closer to the strut (it's a good 5 inches from the strut to the prop), I decided to have the yard remove the shaft, shorten it and re-machine the taper, replace the cutlass bearing, and realign the engine and shaft. Well heck, as long as we're doing THAT, might as well replace the old stuffing box with a new dripless shaft seal. But wait! What about those original equipment (1978) motor mounts? Wouldn't this be a perfect opportunity to replace those? And finally (but not really final, I'm sure), the set screws are rusted solid into the corroded end of the shaft coupling. Better replace the coupling, too.
Long story short, I could have just had the yard lap the prop and shaft to get a snug fit and call it good. But I'm doing a round trip up the Washington coast this Summer, and have plans for a lot more blue water passages, so I guess the additional $2600 will be money well spent for the peace of mind that my power train is in brand new condition.
I just wish I could add that three bladed MaxProp to the job... where's that cardboard sign got off to???
_________________ Jay and Muki Kerr Tartan 37 Betty Lou (formerly Rainbow) Hull # 118, fin keel St. Helens, OR Betty Lou's Blog
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