Do you disconnect the shaft coupling for winter?

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J. Tesoriero

Does anyone regularly disconnect the engine/shaft coupling for winter haul out? Because of a number of alignment problems over the past two years, my former mechanic has recommended I disconnect the shaft coupling. He says that the old Hunters flex during wither storage and can damage and even break the motor mounts. My boat is a 1980 Hunter 30.
 
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Mark Mowery

Smells fishy to me

It's true that the hulls will flex to some degree when the boat is on the hard. But enough to break the motor mounts?! Naahh. I have never heard of anyone disconnecting the prop shaft for this reason.
 
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Mark Mowery

Smells fishy to me

It's true that the hulls will flex to some degree when the boat is on the hard. But enough to break the motor mounts?! Naahh. I have never heard of anyone disconnecting the prop shaft for this reason.
 
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Pete

Don't see what it could hurt

to disconect the shaft,and if it saves the aligment so much the better.Worth a try even if not the normal thing to do!
 
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Pete

Don't see what it could hurt

to disconect the shaft,and if it saves the aligment so much the better.Worth a try even if not the normal thing to do!
 
D

David Foster

Disconnect-Connect could misalign

If it's not broke, don't fix it. None of us (or the archives) have mentioned, "that the old Hunters flex during winter storage and can damage and even break the motor mounts." But the disconnect-conect cycle could result in alignment problems. If a hull flexs enough to shift the motor, then there is a major problem with how it was set up on a cradle, or jackstands. That is what needs attention for prevention IMHO. David Lady Lillie
 
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David Foster

Disconnect-Connect could misalign

If it's not broke, don't fix it. None of us (or the archives) have mentioned, "that the old Hunters flex during winter storage and can damage and even break the motor mounts." But the disconnect-conect cycle could result in alignment problems. If a hull flexs enough to shift the motor, then there is a major problem with how it was set up on a cradle, or jackstands. That is what needs attention for prevention IMHO. David Lady Lillie
 
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Pat McCartin

shaft alignment

I wouldn't disconnect the shaft if it's now aligned in the water. If you diconect, then don't realign and reconnect until the boat has been back in the water for a few days. Re connecting on the hard will result in misalignment. Pat McCartin 1979 H30 "Therapy" Lake Lanier, GA
 
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Pat McCartin

shaft alignment

I wouldn't disconnect the shaft if it's now aligned in the water. If you diconect, then don't realign and reconnect until the boat has been back in the water for a few days. Re connecting on the hard will result in misalignment. Pat McCartin 1979 H30 "Therapy" Lake Lanier, GA
 
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