Yesterday my boat, 98 Ski Nautique 196, was driven over a gravel bar. Nobody was hurt and there wasn't much damage to the hull but it was a little hard on the running gear.
I've checked the driveshaft with a dial indicator and the total runout is .012" which I believe to be out of tolerance, could somebody confirm this. This measurement was taken close to where the driveshaft goes through the hull.
What is the best way to check the condition of the strut? Take the propeller off, disconnect the transmission coupling and remove the packing assembly to see if the driveshaft is centered going through the hull? Is there anything I should do before this step?
Is checking the drivetrain alignment done with the coupling completely disconnected or with the bolts just loosened?
Thanks
0
Comments
Disconnect coupling and check alignment with a feeler gauge, you want to remove the bolts so that you can "clock" the two couplings in different places to ensure the flanges are co/planar and not bent.
FWIW, I have had to replace shafts and struts. Not impossible but it takes a couple hours. Replaced lots of props. Some new or rebuilt props vibrated a fair amount.
What do you order in a "gravel bar"?
Eric
It went through pretty hard, the tracking fins are beat up, the drive shaft has some gouges in it, the prop is toast and there was mud on the strut and rudder.
It drove back to the dock but only at idle and there was significant vibration. Due to water levels cant back the trailer in very far and there was massive shaking putting it on the trailer.
As far as fiberglass damage mine had a couple cracks radiating out from the strut mount area and after talking to some glass repair shops I decided to take may chances and try it.