Misalignment of Shaft

[oldman66]

I am buying a 1984 FBG sailboat. She has a strut and it is ok, as it is firm. Doing survey as I type. The shaft is misalined. They know of one loose motor mount.

What kind of expense am I looking at?

How long to fix?

Is this a symptom or is it the problem?

[s/v Moondancer]

Can be a big problem or a one hour job; get the owner fixing it as part of the purchase agreement with money escrowed to cover things.

[oldman66]

Thanks. I am going to ask of course. I wanted an insight.

[sww914]

You can't move the shaft around so you must move the engine to align it to the shaft. The motor mount is likely the problem. Get them all replaced and the shaft aligned as a part of that procedure and move on to the next problem...

[zeehag]

what they sed... shouldnt be a lot of outgo of dough--have seller pay as condition of purchase.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by sww914

You can't move the shaft around so you must move the engine to align it to the shaft. The motor mount is likely the problem. Get them all replaced and the shaft aligned as a part of that procedure and move on to the next problem...

Yep, it can be a tedius job getting old rusty mounts out and new in etc. Just get 'er done.

[James S]

No such thing as an hour job on my boat

[zeehag]

true--motor mon=unts is a day long job as is difficult to move engine to replace em once ye find 4 that match exaclty and ........ dont forget the stringers onto which they rest and into which they fasten-- could be that-----make sure is strong and not with rot.

[SabreKai]

Don't forget the alignment tools. You will need a dial indicator or two with a clamp mount for the shaft so you can measure the angular difference and the off center difference. You can do the angular with a set of feeler gauges but its not nearly as much fun. I picked up a set of Chinese dial indicators years ago when i was a millwright apprentice so they will come in handy.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by oldman66

I am buying a 1984 FBG sailboat. She has a strut and it is ok, as it is firm. Doing survey as I type. The shaft is misalined. They know of one loose motor mount.

What kind of expense am I looking at?

How long to fix?

Is this a symptom or is it the problem?

just curious how you know the shaft is mis aligned? did you disconnect the coupling? BTW, should be checked in the water.

[Chief Engineer]

Yes check alignment with vessel in water and not on Jackstands

[oldman66]

Thanks all. I have moved on. Really good news is the crew has decided to stay together and move the next boat I buy/try to buy. I will not be fooled with "turnkey ready for rough blue water, excellent condition"

I hope all brokers are not bottom feeders.

There is a heck of a lot of room between danger to sail and excellent condition!

Are boats sold without surveys? How can they get away with such flagrant nonsence?

Are they not regulated?

Makes me want to vote the bums out.

Oops I misspoke. There all corrupt bums. Or not? Please help me, I am sliding off the face of reason.

Oh no there I go.

gone!

[osirissail]

Huh? You are living in a capitalist country where the "free market" reins. It is up to the buyer to find and evaluate whatever they are buying. That is why you hire "your surveyor" to examine the boat if you are not sufficiently able to do the research and learn what is necessary to examine a boat yourself.
- - Used boats are sold "as is, where is" with written clauses in the contract that no warranties are inferred or offered. Just like used cars at your corner car lot.
- - The sales contract is a result of your bargaining with the seller to get what you are hoping to get - but if you cannot or do not know how to bargain then employ a broker to do it for you.
- - There are sufficient "protections" available to savvy buyers and many posters will illuminate them for you. But you are responsible for whether you get a good deal, fair deal, or suckered into a bad deal.

[oldman66]

Yep...I slide off the face of reason and Regan was there to put me straight. Thanks. I almost went to the darkside.

I will never vote for Carter again. Even though he had a great smile. At least that is what the press said. They don't lie. Do they?

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by James S

No such thing as an hour job on my boat

Humm! I have lots of hour jobs on my boat.

But back to the subject. It would have been a rough ride during the sea trial with the shaft out of align. So, be sure to have a sea trial (if you make a deposit) and check everything to see if it works, OR NOT! This is your bargaining chip. And some out dated (soon to fail) equipment is almost as bad as none at all.

If you plan to head out soon everything needs to be up to snuff.