[Public-List] Engine Alignment

[Thomas Moffatt]

Just thought I would throw in an educational story on engine alignment.

I bought my Alberg 30 several decades ago, and in its previous life  
the engine and shaft had not been realigned, I don't believe. And  
every year, into the crane, out of the crane...etc.

Took the Alberg from St. Andrews, NB down the coast of Maine to  
Penobscot Bay, and off North Haven was running the engine since there  
was a large following swell and almost no wind. The jerking was the  
final straw, I suppose...

Suddenly the tiller would not work, and when I tried more, the boat  
was swirling around in circles. Put up the sails to get some control  
(not knowing what else to do), and of course it just made matters  
worse, since the Alberg was going in tight circles. Thought a lobster  
pot line was grabbed, but that wasn't it.

Finally decided to take off the steps/engine cover - and with a  
flashlight was horrified to see the shaft within a few inches of the  
thru-hull.

Grabbed it with a wrench, and worked it forward. Then happened to  
have some brass "snare wire" and used it to get enough friction  
around the shaft, and found a way to secure the snare wire.

Realized it was a definite blessing that the hole between hull and  
rudder was small enough that the propeller had fetched up against the  
rudder, jamming it initially - but not allowing the shaft to leave!

Once the shaft was secure, had my wife watch it while I used the late  
afternoon breezes to make it across Penobscot Bay and as the final  
breath of wind died, made it to one of the outer moorings in Camden  
harbor.

Wayfarer Marine was happy to pull the boat the next morning, and  
after almost a week on the dock, I had much time to think about the  
matter of engine/shaft alignment. Especially as we were still living  
aboard, and everyone going by enjoyed the chance to ask how the  
cruising was up there (in the air).

I realigned yearly from that point.


Tom Moffatt

 1262126182.0