Engine / Prop Shaft Alignment

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   How many perform the Engine / Prop Shaft Alignment procedure as recommended by Correct Craft:Annually
With boat in the water, full of fuel and weighted to simulate a full load
I've only checked the alignment twice -- both times on my 1994 Ski Nautique.  Once was due to hitting a sand bar at ski speed.  It turned out that there was no damage (soft sand) and no negative impact to the alignment.  The second time was when I changed out the drive shaft for a new A.R.E. dual-taper drive shaft.  Both times, the alignment was within the 0.003 tolerances, so I never had to move the engine / transmission.  However, both times the boat was on the trailer in my shop.

Now I'm about to do an alignment check on the new-to-me 2003 Ski Nautique, but I'm in no mood to take her down to the lake to perform this alignment procedure.  Anybody done the alignment on a trailer -- only to find that it was "off" when you put the boat in the water?

JQ

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Jonny Quest Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: August-20-2013 Location: Utah--via Texas Status: Offline Points: 2973	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jonny Quest Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Engine / Prop Shaft Alignment Posted: Yesterday at 11:58am
	How many perform the Engine / Prop Shaft Alignment procedure as recommended by Correct Craft: Annually With boat in the water, full of fuel and weighted to simulate a full load I've only checked the alignment twice -- both times on my 1994 Ski Nautique. Once was due to hitting a sand bar at ski speed. It turned out that there was no damage (soft sand) and no negative impact to the alignment. The second time was when I changed out the drive shaft for a new A.R.E. dual-taper drive shaft. Both times, the alignment was within the 0.003 tolerances, so I never had to move the engine / transmission. However, both times the boat was on the trailer in my shop. Now I'm about to do an alignment check on the new-to-me 2003 Ski Nautique, but I'm in no mood to take her down to the lake to perform this alignment procedure. Anybody done the alignment on a trailer -- only to find that it was "off" when you put the boat in the water? JQ
	Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum

GottaSki Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: April-21-2005 Location: NE CT Status: Offline Points: 3363	Post Options Post Reply Quote GottaSki Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday at 12:06pm
	Similar After first setting the alignment with precision, anytime even years afterwards, a quick twist of the coupling with the boat afloat gives me all the feedback i need to know all is still well, or if something moved. I also have not had the scenario you describe where the trailer/wet alignment changed enough to move anything, even on the punkier boats
	"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing." River Rat to Mole

Jonny Quest Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: August-20-2013 Location: Utah--via Texas Status: Offline Points: 2973	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jonny Quest Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday at 12:29pm
	Tom - I like the idea of doing the alignment on the trailer (warm shop) and then doing a check on the water. I may even wait until next spring for the on-the-water float test. JQ
	Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum

wayoutthere Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February-28-2020 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 461	Post Options Post Reply Quote wayoutthere Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday at 4:06pm
	In water a day or two (to let her settle in) after being on the hard all winter was how i was taught to check/perform an alignment but that was on cabin/sport cruiser types, except connie, she was wood and had to hang in the sling to swell up 3 or 4 days or down she'd go, such a nice riding boat that was Also re torq the couplers over 3 passes and make sure the isolators are re installed on the marinette. In the water is the way to go but if you don"t have your own dock the other people at the public ramp get a bit agitated.

MrMcD Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: January-28-2014 Location: Folsom, CA Status: Offline Points: 3749	Post Options Post Reply Quote MrMcD Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday at 10:16pm
	I have only had to do this 3 times in my life so far JQ and each time I did it on the trailer in the comfort of my garage. The shaft rotates freely by hand and no vibrations at all so I think it is just fine. I never read the part of floating the boat to do the final adjustments. I have had to move the engine mounts on 3 boats to get alignment correct. Each time I was able to adjust to either .0015 or .001 and was very happy with the adjustments. Now you have me wondering if they would shift once in the water. Oh well it is nearly 10 years since the last adjustment and the boat has not sunk.

KENO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11093	Post Options Post Reply Quote KENO Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Today at 7:42am
	That recommendation must show up on page ______ of some Correct Craft manual titled ______. (It's a fill in the blank for Jonny ) Just so we can all read what you're referring to

Jonny Quest Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: August-20-2013 Location: Utah--via Texas Status: Offline Points: 2973	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jonny Quest Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Today at 1:46pm
	OK Ken...here you go: PCM Owners Operation & Maintenance Manual (printed 11/02) Pages 44 - 46 Engine Alignment IMPORTANT: Engine alignment MUST BE RECHECKED with the boat in the water, fuel tanks full and with a normal load on the boat. Engine must be aligned so that the transmission and the propeller shaft coupling center lines are aligned, and coupling faces are parallel within 0.003 in. (0.07 mm)... JQ
	Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum

KENO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11093	Post Options Post Reply Quote KENO Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Today at 7:42pm
	Here's a link to Jonny's manual link Since it was PCM and not CC, I'd figure that's it's a CYA thing on PCM's part. It's a good thing you weren't looking at a Borg Warner transmission installation manual like the one in the link below, for their recommendations. Look at page 14 and continue on to the top of page 15 if you want some real genuine craziness. Everybody disconnects their coupling when the boat's on the trailer (or I suppose a lift would count too) right? link

ultrarunner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: October-02-2005 Location: Ridgefield, Ct. Status: Offline Points: 1844	Post Options Post Reply Quote ultrarunner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Today at 8:51pm
	I've done it twice...once for a trans R&R, and another for an A.R.E install. Trailer both times. No issues. Nov. JQ, and I'm still on the water in CT! ;-)

Engine / Prop Shaft Alignment

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