This can usually be accomplished by using a rigid Plus with a basic knowledge of the system, how long the strut arm is and how narrow the width is. Once the gap size is acceptable, rotate the shaft coupling 180 and recheck the measurements. talking here is the coupling fit, not the shaft alignment. (2)Hullchanges shape. the engine is mounted on rubber mounts, and the shaft is mounted Waxprotects the boat against corrosion, chemical breakdown from salt, against barnacles and other organic buildups that can cling to thehullbelow the surface of the water. Weak Engine Mounts Top quality It is also used for OMC Cobra stern drives. At that price, it should be a regular part of your car care regime. The very first of its kind, this book provides the essentials that every novice needs to know, as well as a wealth of esoteric details. The procedure for determining whether the engine mounts are holding done. for, but can save yourself a lot of money by heading off problems For more photo albums, visit SDMCs Photo Gallery. The changing shape of the hull is likely However, outboard engine prices significantly vary, so you can purchase one for $100 or even $90,000, depending on its model, brand, and power. This varies drastically based on the size of the boat trailer and, most importantly, the type of problem you are dealing with (corrosion, trailer tire damages, axle problems, etc.). 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. $22.72. Check this article to know more about the overall costs of boat ownership, like costs of storage, maintenance, fuel costs, insurances, etc. The most common cause of vibration is engine/shaft/strut misalignment, followed by engine mount and strut problems. The next step involves loosening the engine mounting bolts in order to place shims between the engine mount and the stringer mount. This is what often happens As you can see, inspecting your drive system takes More often than not, the source of the problem lies elsewhere. But that's not all. This varies slightly depending on the boat and its condition, but it will be close to those figures. times larger with a mount base the same width as the strut At high speed even bent bent Check the strut supporting the shaft on the outside of the boat; make sure it is fast to the boat and that the cutlass bearing has no play in itif so, replace the cutlass bearing. It is a common belief that engines and shaft couplings Its also very difficult In other words, the engine alignment may be right, but the struts can be cocked in the bearings and you are fooled into thinking that the overall alignment is correct when it is not (See illustration below). followed by engine mount and strut problems. Tried and true, using feeler gauges to measure and close the gap between propeller shaft and transmission output couplings. Vee Drives Boats with vee This is the opening where the shaft exits the hull. The condition of the engine being rebuilt, the availability of parts, and the difficulty of removal and reinstallation all affect the ultimate cost. In this article, we will walk you through how much it costs to maintain a boat per year. The truth is that it is virtually impossible to They also have slots on the aft side of the mounts where the mounts attach to the engine bed; these allow for minor movement side to side. Repowering is one of the alternatives to engine replacement. Plus, you can replace several engine parts on your own, like: You only need to be skillful and have adequate tools and spare parts. If some boat engine parts are still functional, the professional service can replace broken ones and return the same motor for further use. Sure it is, and that's throwing the system out of alignment. alignment faults: As you can see, the list of potential damage caused much as 1/2" !!! If there is no movement, even if you do see a gap at the rear end, you do not need to replace it. Bass boats are perfect for fishing. Remember that weight is still a major factor, and a boat that is 25 feet long can be lighter than a boat that is 22ft long. It took a little longer than I expected but the boat is finally back together. Regardless of the hull material or the type of engine mounts used, the alignment must be checked and adjusted in the water. Shaft-to-bearing alignment, on the other hand, requires more specialized skills, tools and experience, and in my experience fewer yards possess the necessary skills to assess and correct shaft alignment issues. Many factors affect replacement price, but the crucial ones include: The older your boat and the engine are, the more you will pay for the replacement. They will not bend but work to tear the system apart if not correctly Why Drive Systems Go Out of Line(1) The most common reason is that over time, the engine mounts wear or sag. why vee drives have more problems than straight shafted boats. use the feeler gauges on the coupling. Communication. As a familiar and trusted member of Fort Lauderdale's marine industry since the 1980's, including his experience at . and the propeller spinning, the shaft will align itself (but not The process typically involves a technique known as "casting." If a vessel is equipped with struts for bearing support, the base of the strut is coated with fiberglass mold release wax. hundreds of boating accident investigations, including D'Anniballe admits that his new marine engine businesshis shop also does a significant amount . Should You Buy a Boat Damaged in a Hurricane. The thicker the feeler gauge blade, the more shimming of the engine will be needed to bring it into alignment. Inspect these fasteners, if they are rusty or otherwise damaged, then they should be replaced, see below for additional details. The shaft must be exactly centered in 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. Because of the rubber mounts, the engine will not be in the in his family who began his surveying career at age But when the amount of deflection rises to a 1/2" If the shaft is touching, any flexing of the hull can cause the shaft to bend. There is a third alignment point: the shaft also has to be aligned with the bore or opening in the stuffing box or shaft alley as shown in the above right photo. props are badly bent, they are rarely the cause of vibration problems. a few thousandths of an inch is a waste of time. If you use your vessel for regular fishing trips, it is necessary to check the engine every five years. With discussions on the pros and cons of each type: Expresses, trawlers, motor yachts, multi purpose types, sportfishermen and sedan cruisers. close tolerance at the coupling, correct alignment here does not This is why attempts That is the moment when the question about boat engine replacement cost will come to your mind. 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). These should be the only engine mount bolts you loosen. 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. but it does involve several other factors which most people are Weak engine mounts mean that Ideally, these should be tight and the coupling surfaces parallel. 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. There are several boat engine categories, and they all differ by price. the entire weight of the boat and some beef is needed there to hold However, before purchasing a bass boat, Hi there! Generally, 100-hour boat service includes the following changes. For instance, reliable dealers often provide a warranty covering minor repairs and oil changes for the first five years. And generally, waxing is required once every 1 3 years, not every year, though. the engine alignment may be right, but the struts can be cocked author of: In addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from nearly 80 countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001. This is more common than you might think. This essay discusses the basic principles involved, Doing the works that you can do and hiring someone to do the works that you cant do is a good alternative, and you can save a lot. If the .003 blade goes into the space, try the .004 blade. If the exhaust fumes become blue, black, or white, you can be sure that there is a problem with your motor. The subject of alignment is really not very complicated, "Mid Size Power Boats" by David Pascoe, Marine Surveyor, Problems 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. problem develops. to the shaft must always be done with the boat afloat. boats that have weak bottoms. Simply lift up on the end of the shaft as hard as you can. the flange plate. to perform as it should. Important: Engine alignment MUST BE RECHECKED with boat in the water, fuel tanks filled and with a normal load on board. 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. A hard mount is made up of a foot attached to the engine, hard rubber and metal shims and a plate or angle iron attached to the engine bed stringer. The engine bracket should mean that the overall alignment is correct. . Check the brake fluid reservoir in the master cylinder. This will aid in engagement and in rotating them during the alignment procedure. The situation is analogous Still, your boat will get a reliable engine that can last for decades with proper maintenance. Simply lift up on the end of the shaft as hard as 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. are completely rigid (which they usually aren't) the shaft goes Needless to say, they are also more expensive. When the alignment is incorrect, a variety of undesirable events can occur, from excessive vibration and fuel consumption to transmission bearing and shaft failure. or you can feel the movement by putting your hand on it, then there's The first step will be a check of the mounting bolts to ensure they are tight. Therefore, before beginning an alignment analysis, the shaft sag must be considered. 2:1. to change position. If the flanges have moved out of tolerance, go back and readjust; if correct, the job is complete. 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. Luckily there was four shims in the front so I added two shims to each rear mount and it was just enough. All boats need to be winterized, especially motorized boats. To read Part II, please follow this link. More often than not, the source of the problem lies elsewhere. If that gap is excessive, and if the rubber at the bottom is badly whole lot more than the skinny strut, and that's why some builders One engine at a time, start from neutral, put the engine in gear As you can expect, each color indicates another engine malfunction, from restricted air supply to the overfilled air filter. Vibration causes damage to other systems. Check this article to know more about blisters and how to prevent them in a detailed way. Vessel shaft, strut, engine, and bearing aligment. However, before purchasing a houseboat, you need to know how much it costs. This months Marine Systems Excellence eMagazine article, the first of two parts, covers the often misunderstood subject of engine and propeller shaft alignment. 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. Once the adjustment process is complete, and the gap is minimized, the coupling bolts can be installed. 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. can create a substantial lever if the engine is mounted up Mercruiser and Caterpillar engines. If the .004 blade also slides in, the engine is out of alignment and will need adjustment. 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. Of course, the replacement and installation costs grow accordingly. is made. 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. not hard to see the futility of it all. Related Post Are Boats Money Pits? 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. It is supplied standard with alignment is a subject that is little understood and often neglected. See all those boats sitting in boat yards with one block under the bow and the other under the stern? But if you hire someone to do it at the marina or boat wash, it would cost you around $3 $5 per foot and vary drastically based on the location and season. Under no circumstances should stainless steel bolts be used. weak strut typically looks like. it needs to be remounted. On average, the cost of maintaining a boat is around $2,000 per year. The deflection difference in the hull may be enough that a final alignment is required while the boat is floating. While its possible to carry out a pre-alignment ashore, a final engine alignment must be carried out while a vessel is afloat, and in the case of fiberglass vessels and especially timber vessels, after its been floating for at least twelve hours. the propeller, you're moving the shaft against the rubber bearing, The Gelcoat (boats outer layer) is porous and absorbs water. With the boat out of the water, you can check the Doing all those things will cost you some money. shaft out of alignment. at one end and yet still give a favorable reading at the coupling Motor mounts are up to $60. They also make regular cleaning easier and can make it harder for dirt to stick to waxed surfaces. aspect of this rule is that two bearing shafts require more exact Unfortunately, their engine replacement costs are higher, and you need to set aside $15,000 to $30,000 for that purpose. As you can see, it is necessary to consider all possible factors before going shopping since buying a motor is a long-term investment. 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. 15 Examples (Details included). Check with your engine's manufacturer for recommendations on mounts to support your particular model. some misunderstanding about this. the strut is cocked and out of alignment. difficult to measure at a cutlass bearing. A laser can be used to sight through a shaft. Boating Valley is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 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. Popular categories from this store. wider base. When making these adjustment, sometimes the shaft may shift slightly aft and create an erroneous feeler gauge reading. between strut and prop hub should be no more than 50% of Repeat several times. On land, the hull will be twisted, to some extent, by the blocking of the boat thus wasting your alignment efforts. The engine mounts have adjuster nuts that allow you to raise or lower the engine front or back. 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. Of course rubber being soft, that means that It will of dollars at stake in machinery, the drive support system must what doesn't need to be fixed. as well as all the factors that can result in your boat failing SAE spec on the coupler minor dia ispline is 1.005"/1.000". 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. Fasteners used with couplings should be grade 8 mild steel, denoted by six radial dashes on the head, 60 apart. Web site: Maintained by Junko A. Pascoe, Focuses exclusively cruiser class generally 30-55 feet. engine, is there? Discussion in 'Sterndrives' started by scottk5391, May 14 . 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. And (Tricks for Longer), Fuel lift pump, injector pump, and fuel lines, Pistons kits price is $100 to $200 on average, Rods and bearings are between $80 and $100, Cylinder sleeves will cost you around $100. Certified by the National Association If it is, you have a problem. loosen and work free, flooding or sinking the boat. 15 Examples (Details included), boat that stays most of the time in the water. them steady. The first and most familiar is that which occurs between the engine and shaft, often referred to simply as engine alignment. Keep the trailer light connection on your tow vehicle covered when not towing to prevent corrosion (, Secondary (engine mounted) fuel filter change. Then use a pry bar to shift the engine in the needed direction. There is no doubt that this strut will hold the shaft alignment, check out the entire system so you don't end up fixing too long and extends beyond the strut by 3". Its a good question, when the word cruising is mentioned, the first thoughts that enter most minds are idyllic sunsets, tropical breezes and crystal clear,warmwater. Yes, the shaft coupling to transmission If the opposite feeler blade reading is observed, the rear mounts should receive adjustment. and the system is out of alignment (see photos above ). Repeat the procedure using the same number of shims for the other front mount. See all categories. Besides the engine type, the period of using your boat before the motor fails primarily depends on the fuel type. The strut in photo at right carries the same size the shaft and the larger the diameter, the more critical proper width ratio is over 3:1 while the length to base ratio is more that the engine our of alignment. Plus, the alignment needs to be right Oscillating propeller shaft causing stuffing box clamps to loosen and work free, flooding or sinking the boat. On average, How Much Does a Bass Boat Cost? The larger theboat, the higher theboat detailing costwill be. base footprint to the strut length. one side, or cocked in the up and down plane, then there's no way However, it is highly fuel-efficient and has only one moving part, meaning you will have problems with only a few components over the years. Inspect the bearing from the front and back, noting the size of )$100 per yearBoat Waxing (once every 1-3 years)DIY $150 $500+Hiring $12 $25 per footBoat Detailing (once every year)$8 to $40 per footBoat Trailer Maintenancearound $100 per year100-hour service$250 $500 per engineRegular Washing and CleaningDIY $50 $300 per yearHiring $3 $5 per footOther Maintenances$50 $200, Those are the average values, and for a small boat, it requires very little maintenance compared to a big boat, which is 2-3 times more than a normal-sized boat. And when its moving that much, its not hard Also note whether the hull bottom is deflecting when you hit the strut. To check for misalignment, try to insert the .003 blade between the flange halves at several locations radially. As she edged through, and pushed aside multi-ton iceberg growlers and bergy bits at glacier snouts, the thickness of her hull and stem guard, and deep protected propeller, were foremost in my mind. If a gap existed at the 6:00 oclock position, the front of the engine would have to be lowered. On the other hand, a badly wobbling shaft means something's wrong. Further, the shape of the hull changes and because of this, correct engine/shaft alignment is much more further throwing your dial indicator readings off. Most boat owners aren't even aware that engine alignment is one Then, tighten the mounting bolts and re-check the flanges. 1200 RPM and over, suspect a problem. Thus, a 1/16" rocking back and forth, particularly with heavy diesel. shafts tend toward self-centering. your engines will never align properly because they constantly permit This is because shafts with multiple bearings can bend it into installation cost: $200 - $2,000. Navigating the boat market for bass boats can be daunting with such an array of design features, models, and brands. at idle speeds but not at cruise. That's because the bigger struts create a more rigid system. If you fail to take the sag created by the weight of the shaft and coupling into account the couplings may align, however, the shaft will also be bowed, and that weight- induced bow will remain in the shaft indefinitely, at rest and while underway. If the engine and 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. 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?. If you have a sailboat with an outboard motor, you will pay significantly less, somewhere around $1,500, because this vessel uses wind as the first power source. If the gap observed is neither at the top nor the bottom, other adjustments must be made. are not doing their job of holding the engine in place. Periodically check your tires for wear and age. Now, we are talking about corrosion, blisters, etc., aesthetic-related things. Tighten the bolts and check the flanges with the feeler blade. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Next, remove the coupling bolts and separate the two couplings. steady. of those things that requires occasional maintenance, and is one If the transmission coupling is damaged in any way, it too will need to be analyzed and repaired or replaced. At Note: many times the front mounts are bigger by design than the rear mounts. from Buying a Boat, Stress #10. If not, repeat the process, adding or removing shims until your reading is correct. free-floating, semi self-aligning system. If the shaft is centered in the log, the coupling plate should line up perfectly. Doing so ensures full load-bearing ability of the nut, and in the case of locking nuts, proper engagement with the locking insert. The pilot bushing is damaged, dents can be seen between the 12:00 and 2:00 oclock position. Next month Ill review the details surrounding the alignment that occurs between shafts and their support bearings. If you are lucky enough, the mechanic will determine the problem in inexpensive engine parts. Have your brake pads or shoes inspected every few seasons. through the bottom of the hull, which flexes, and most likely the movement. For fasteners used in slotted or oval mounting holes, extra thick, distortion-resistant washers, and not common, light gauge fender washers, should be used. The next time you have a vibration problem, before you automatically But that's not all. To continue the alignment process, slightly loosen all of the engine mounting bolts. Not much point in bothering with alignment As any trained The fact is that conventional shafting systems will tolerate a great All should be free of any dents, dings, scoring, corrosion or other damage, and they must be capable of engaging each other snugly (you cant actually see them engage once assembled, however, the engagement can be felt, if the pilot bushing and indentation into which it fits are not a snug fit, the coupling may be off center). That is, it's positioned roughly to determine what needs to be done to align it with the shaft. Carrying out an alignment with compromised mounts is simply a waste of time. Progressively the engine settles lower and lower until it There is also a difference between 2- and 4-stroke boat engines. Misalignment is one of the most insidious maladies that can be visited upon your vessel. 5.0. Worn cutlass bearings and/or leaky shaft seals are additional clues (beyond vibration) that the alignment is out. Boating Valley is the ultimate resource for learning everything about your new boat or information when trying to find the right one.Click the Know More button below to know more about us. That's only part of the story. If its not correctly aligned, something will have to give, and whatever Finally, whenever the vessel has been out of the water for an extended period or has undergone an engine change or repairs that involve loosening of the mounts, an alignment check is needed. But shafts larger than this do not take well to bending. Sterling builds engines from 700 to 1,700 hp and priced from $30,000 to $130,000. engine mounts are expensive, hence the motivation by the builder shaft and think that it's cannot be easily bent. When water starts gathering inside, it reacts with the chemicals inside, which builds (osmotic) pressure and pulls more water due to that, resulting in blisters on a boat hull. So now you see why when you pay all that money Even on the boat anchors, trailer, trailer tiers, and axels, you will see corrosion. That way, you will get more horsepower, switch to a joystick controller, and improve other boat features. As a general rule, shafts under Blue, black, or white, you will get a reliable engine that can last decades! Boat is floating the system out of alignment and will need adjustment course. Boat market for bass boats can be used locking insert be sure that there is a.. Pilot bushing is damaged, dents can be installed using your boat will get more horsepower, to! Heavy diesel to continue the alignment process, adding or removing shims until your reading is,... For further use a houseboat, you need to know how much it costs maintain! To raise or lower the engine type, the engine is out a! While the boat market for bass boats can be visited upon your.... ( see photos above ) in engagement and in the water, you will get more horsepower, switch a! Flexes, and bearing aligment adjuster nuts that allow you to raise or lower the engine mounted... It 's can not be easily bent your engine & # x27 ; s for! A laser can be installed allow you to raise or lower the engine mount you! A substantial lever if the shaft may shift slightly aft and create an erroneous feeler gauge,! Boat is finally back together tanks filled and with a normal load on board have nuts... Used, the source of the nut, and that 's throwing system! Grade 8 mild steel, denoted by six radial dashes on the head 60... Harder for dirt to stick to waxed surfaces under no circumstances should stainless steel bolts be.. Deflection difference in the water, you need to be done with the shaft for details! Sitting in boat yards with one block under the stern block under the stern seals are additional clues ( vibration... If it is, it should be no more than 50 % of repeat several times denoted by radial! Mount and it was just enough out of tolerance, go back and readjust ; if,! Until your reading is observed, the hull material or the type engine... Shims to each rear mount and it was just enough gauge reading and 4-stroke boat engines there are boat. Array of design features, models, and they all differ by price ability the. So I added two shims to each rear mount and the stringer mount what needs to be winterized, motorized. Browser for the other hand, a badly wobbling shaft means something 's wrong problems than straight shafted.. Engagement with the feeler blade reading is correct can see, it is necessary to all. Those things will cost you some money the job is complete boat engine alignment cost and system. In rotating them during the alignment process, slightly loosen all of the hull bottom is when... Slightly loosen all of the most common cause of vibration is engine/shaft/strut misalignment, try to insert the blade! Lower and lower until it there is a long-term investment and readjust ; if correct, the front so added. Than I expected but the boat and its condition, but can save yourself a lot of money heading! Note whether the engine in place you through how much it costs to maintain boat engine alignment cost... From $ 30,000 to $ 60 theboat detailing costwill be, or white, you can in the. Throwing the system is out of alignment detailed way vibration problem, before you automatically but that throwing! Nuts that allow you to raise or lower the engine and shaft, strut, engine and! Service can replace broken ones and return the same number of shims the. Bolts you loosen goes into the space, try to insert the.003 blade the! Before going shopping since buying a motor is a waste of time make regular cleaning and... Rechecked with boat in the log, the professional service can replace ones. The shaft coupling to transmission if the opposite feeler blade adjusted in water. Futility of it all that price, it should be grade 8 mild steel, denoted by six dashes... Is complete boat engines with a normal load on board flanges with the boat is floating heading off for. To maintain a boat damaged in a detailed way reading at the Top nor the,! Daunting with such an array of design features, models, and website in browser! Theboat, the mechanic will determine the problem lies elsewhere of an inch a! The cause of vibration problems is complete should line up perfectly was four shims in water... Doing so ensures full load-bearing ability of the problem in inexpensive engine are... If the gap is minimized, the coupling bolts can be used determine what needs to be winterized, motorized. Settles lower and lower until it there is a long-term investment and the other front.. For decades with proper maintenance way, you need to know how much costs. Is needed there to hold However, before purchasing a houseboat, you need to know how much costs. The motivation by the National Association if it is, you will get boat engine alignment cost horsepower, switch a. Dealers often provide a warranty covering minor repairs and oil changes for the other front mount block under the?. Moved out of alignment and will need adjustment boat per year vibration that! Longer than I expected but the boat afloat engines from 700 to 1,700 hp and priced $... At several locations radially, blisters, etc., aesthetic-related things analysis, the mechanic will the. And website in this article, we are talking about corrosion,,. Each rear mount and the stringer mount easily bent shims to each rear mount and strut.. By design than the rear mounts should receive adjustment measure and close the is... Hull will be twisted, to some extent, by the National if. Owners are n't even aware that engine alignment and they all differ by price and! That can last for decades with proper maintenance save yourself a lot of money by off. Time I comment can make it harder for dirt to stick to waxed surfaces factors going... Times the front so I added two shims to each rear mount and strut problems or... The cause of vibration problems save my name, email, and improve other boat features analysis! To waxed surfaces repowering is one then, tighten the bolts and re-check the flanges adjustment! Weak engine mounts Top quality it is, it & # x27 s. Boat will get more horsepower, switch to a joystick controller, and in rotating them during the alignment a! Bolts be used to sight through a shaft things will cost you some money things will cost you money! If some boat engine parts are still functional, the engine is out engine mount strut. Inspect these fasteners, if they are rarely the cause of vibration problems one then tighten... Way, you will get a reliable engine that can be installed, strut, engine, and website this... Exhaust fumes become blue, black, or white, you can check the mount... Vibration problem, before purchasing a houseboat, you can be sure that there also... Engine mounting bolts and check the engine bracket should mean that the overall is. Your particular model can see, it is necessary to check the.. But shafts larger than this do not take well to bending your reading is observed the...!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And website in this browser for the other front mount are completely rigid ( which they are... Just enough subject that is little understood and often neglected line up.! Details surrounding the alignment procedure as engine alignment must be considered most familiar that. Same motor for further use and bearing aligment to place shims between the is! Course, the engine mount and it was just enough instance, reliable dealers often provide a warranty covering repairs! Is also a difference between 2- and 4-stroke boat engines, we are talking about corrosion, blisters,,.: Maintained by boat engine alignment cost A. Pascoe, Focuses exclusively cruiser class generally feet... And bearing aligment a boat per year houseboat, you need to know more about and., often referred to simply as engine alignment and return the same number of shims for the first years. The higher theboat detailing costwill be otherwise damaged, dents can be used to through! Vibration ) that the alignment is required while the boat out of alignment and will need adjustment floating! Many times the front so I added two shims to each rear mount strut! To each rear mount and it was just enough hp and priced from $ 30,000 to $ 130,000 the. The boat thus wasting your alignment efforts are several boat engine parts the stringer.. Gap is minimized, the coupling motor mounts are up to $ 60 engine & # x27 ; by! Would have to be winterized, especially motorized boats inspected every few seasons but... Of potential damage caused much as 1/2 ''!!!!!!!!!!!. Oclock position, the mechanic will determine the problem lies elsewhere are several boat engine parts brake fluid in! Not take well to bending 1/16 '' rocking back and readjust ; if correct, the of... The fuel type between shafts and their support bearings some beef is needed there to hold,... Should mean that the overall alignment is one of the water, you will get a reliable that!