Loud rattling at higher RPMS

[elena]

Our sailboat is rattling excessively at higher RPMS when under motor. The engine is a 1982 Universal 30. Is this a shaft allignment issue? The sound comes from under the helm and does not appear to be the engine mounts. Anything we can do to check this or fix this ourselves?

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Out of whack

It's not necessarily the shaft, but the shaft is presenting the problem. It probably is the engine mounts. Smarter people than me (read Yard) can quickly recalibrate the mounts with a photo-sensitive light while the engine is running.

 

[Steve G]

Just in case

take a look down in the engine compartment and make sure the engine isn't thumping against something. I had built a shelf in the lazarette, and the riser was clunking the side of it. I could have sworn it was under the pedestal. Just make sure it isn't something simple first. Like bill said, your mounts get soft as they age and can put the shaft out of alignment.