Strut & Shaft Alignment

well i would agree that the hull is sagging, but not that much, thats a short run from the strut to the log hole, my guess is a bent strut, you will be able to tell when you set that boat in the water and the sag should ease

The bushings should hold the shaft pretty firmly.

No need for the prop to be on- it has nothing to do with alignment.

I've seen worn shafts but it's more of a burnishing. It's the cutlass that's sacrificial. A shaft will have a tolerance of plus or minus around .001". Did you install a traditional rubber cutlass?

Yes, I went with the traditional rubber style for good or for bad.

8122pbrainard wrote: Rob, On the strut alignment, it looks like they had a issue with this one before considering the shim you found and it may have even been at the factory. I've seen it before!!

8122pbrainard wrote: eric lavine wrote: well i would agree that the hull is sagging, but not that much I agree. I still feel most of the problem came from the factory.

DrCC wrote: I would highly doubt the problem came from the factory.

Al,
You mentioned it way back but forgive me, what dealership did you work for? Was it a Correct Craft dealer? I was at Watercraft Sales in the late 60's and early 70's. What, did the factory send you the good hulls without shims!!

DrCC wrote: Two Correct Craft dealers. The 2nd dealer sent two guys to hire me away from the first dealer. The first Correct Craft dealer being a Mr. Phil Hildebrandt Jr.

What years?

But, In the late 80's Trojan Yacht tried to hire me away from the 2nd Correct Craft dealer.
I refused to re-locate.

My '66 and '74 never had shims.

DrCC wrote: My '66 and '74 never had shims.

Al,
You got lucky or rather the CC factory did!!!

DrCC wrote: Wheew!!!     I thought you we're going to ask for my birth certificate there for a minute!

Naw, I was just trying to figure out why you've never seen shims under a strut from the factory!?

When I was at Watercraft, I did plenty of prop changes. It seemed like a era when everyone was playing arount with different pitch props to find the ideal "power" or "speed" prop! With every prop change, I was instructed to do a quick alignment check by spinning the prop. This is when problems popped up and I learned about the shims from the factory!!

can someone find that article from that surveyor who claims alignment is not important? Pete did you ever get a chance to read it?

DrCC wrote: And,   Where did I ever say I have not seen shims???

Al,
I'm sure you have seen shims but we were talking about them being used at the factory. It must have been this statement:

DrCC wrote: I would highly doubt the problem came from the factory.

Rob,
When you do the stringer job, you'll have the hull on stands or on the trailer with stands. That's the time when carefull measuring is key. We really don't know what the problem with the hull is yet. Yes, probably some hull sag but is the strut or even the log really in the correct spot?? A length of 1&1/4" tubing through the strut and the log makes a great alignment tool. Don't worry about it now!!! Just keep a eye on your shaft to engine alignment until you do the stringer job.

Go ahead and shim and build up the epoxy base.

Went to White Lake this weekend. Shaft came out of assembly on back of motor, (see how un-technical I am), prop hits rudder, driver hits water over drivers side gunnel. All the beer, skies, jaackets,etec., that flew out were saved. Driver had minor abraisions and a very badly bruised ego. However, Jeo from N.Y. told me I needed a dual tapered ARE shaft. I will probably need a prop repair or another prop. Any Ideas.

jackiewdeen wrote: Went to White Lake this weekend. Shaft came out of assembly on back of motor, (see how un-technical I am), prop hits rudder, Any Ideas.

Jackie,
I'd say you have some stringer problems causing a misalignement. When the boat's been run that way for awhile, the coupling and prop shaft frets. This loosens the shrink/press fit and the shaft walks out of the coupling.

When Joe took a look, did he spot any visual indications of stringer problems?

Yes, the ARE dual taper is a "user friendly" system.

You've had the boat since it was new and since you say you'r not the best mechanic, I assume you have somone work on it for you. When was the last time a alignment was done? Was anything said about the stringers at that time?

Look'n good to keep you on the water for another season.