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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Diesel prop shaft.

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Bob Phillips
Deckhand

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USA
6 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/19/2004 : 00:32:41

This Newbe went down to the water to play with the boat and found out the boat was playing with me. Planned to take the Sea Witch out of the water and put it on the trailer. Being a fin keel and never doing it before told me this would be fun. Adjusted the trailer that was not made for the Catalina, but is a good strong sailboat trailer with six pad on it to hold the boat up, to what was the figures given here on the forum for the highth of the pads. Way high. First time out the keel was off the board by about a foot. Second time about three inches. Allready made the boating public upset by the amount of time I was using the ramp so I brought the keel down to the trailer by letting the pads down a little at a time. I still ended up with the boat too far back and too little tongue wieght. Made it home 120 miles. All is good in the world except... When backing the boat out of the slip the propeller and shaft came back about a foot. It did not come all the way out of the stuffing box and sink us but I have not been able to get in and see why it did that.

Does anyone know how that thing is held in the transmission? Is there any books or anything I could buy to tell me how to work on that motor. It only has 256 hours on it as it was in a lake and the PO used it to get away from the dock. Just would like something to help me when what ever can go wrong does.

Thank You
The new owner to the Sea Witch from Lake Mohave now on the move to lake Mead.

Robert D. Phillips

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2004 : 10:29:20

4.4.10 SHAFT ALIGNMENT:

         For proper operation of the engine. the propeller shaft and engine
         must be aligned.

         Alignment is gauged at the engine and shaft coupling. Alignment
         procedures must be done with the boat in the water after the mast
         is erected, and the rig is tuned.

         1.     The propeller shaft must be dimpled (1/8' deep) for two
                (2) coupling set screws. The set screws must be safety
                wired using the stainless steel wile provided, as illustrated
                check key in key way, as it must be in place between shaft
                and coupler.

         2.     Remove coupling flange bolts and check propeller shaft
                for clearance. Adjust stuffing box to prevent excessive
                seepage, yet allow shaft to spin freely.

         3.     Slide shaft away from engine and check coupling mating
                surfaces. These surfaces must be clean.

         4.     Slide shaft forward to connect coupling surfaces.
                Pilot on transmission flange must align with recess in
                shaft coupling flange. This is an indication of correct
                axial alignment.

         5.     With coupling flanges in contact, measure gap around edge
                of coupling flanges with.003 feeler gauge. Maximum allowable
                gap at any point is three thousandths of an inch. Take
                this measurement several times....rotating shaft 1/4 turn
                each time. Any gap in excess of .003 must be corrected
                by changing engine position, especially fore/aft tilt.

                For example. excessive gap at the bottom of the coupling
                (see drawing) indicates engine is tilted too far aft (front
                too high). Using a 15/16 end wrench. loosen lock nuts
                on forward motor mount(s). Lower front of engine by clockwise
                rotation of motor mount nuts. Re-measure gap at coupling.
                A gap at the top of the coupling would require the exact
                reverse procedure.

         6.     Pull shaft backwards as in step 3. Again slide shaft forward,
                rechecking axial alignment as in step 4.

         7.     Repeat steps 5 and 6 until alignment within tolerance is
                achieved.

         8.     Tighten motor mount lock nuts and install coupling bolts.

         NOTE: Alignment should be checked yearly. or whenever any excess
                vibration is noticed. The alignment can also be affected
                by changes in rigging tension

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 07/19/2004 10:32:45

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2004 : 23:39:41

It's a lucky thing that the prop and shaft didn't slide all the way out and fall onto the highway during the road trip. I imagine that would be pretty expensive to replace, not to mention the possibility of damage or injury to other motorists hitting it!

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Bob Phillips
Deckhand

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USA
6 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 03:12:40

Yes it would have been a mess, but I tied it off as sometimes trouble does kind of slap you in the face and says do something before I get you, even to the blind.

Thanks for the info on shaft alignment. I plan to have it back in the water this week. I guess I will stick it back together out of the water and then check the alignment when I get it back at its new home.

Edited by - on

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