Shaft Alignment

Apr 29, 2012
220
Beneteau 35s5 bristol ri
I just had the cutlass bearing replaced on my Hunter 28.5. Had to remove the strut since my coupling is rusted solid. The yard pressed a new bearing in and re-attached the strut. Now it looks like the shaft is not centered in the tube where it enters the boat. Does anyone have instructions on correcting this?
 
May 28, 2009
764
Hunter 376 Pensacola, FL
You have to align the shaft to the Cutless bearing and hope that in the process it is also centered in the shaft log or stern tube. If you have it aligned to the bearing and it's not centered in the shaft log, but it's not contacting the edges as it rotates, then go ahead and align your engine to the new shaft position and you'll be fine. If, however, your shaft will contact the edge of the shaft log as it rotates, then I'm afraid you're going to have to shim the strut to put the Cutless bearing and shaft log back in alignment. Whatever you do, don't just push the shaft to where it's centered in the shaft log, and not pay attention to whether it's properly aligned to the Cutless bearing, or else you'll introduce a bend in the shaft, which will give you vibration under power and accelerated Cutless bearing wear. Alignments are slow, tedious, and frustrating jobs. Good luck.
 
Sep 4, 2007
776
Hunter 33.5 Elbow, Saskatchwen, Can.
Was the shaft centered before the bearing was changed?
If the yard did the work then they should align the strut.
 
Apr 29, 2012
220
Beneteau 35s5 bristol ri
You have to align the shaft to the Cutless bearing and hope that in the process it is also centered in the shaft log or stern tube. If you have it aligned to the bearing and it's not centered in the shaft log, but it's not contacting the edges as it rotates, then go ahead and align your engine to the new shaft position and you'll be fine. If, however, your shaft will contact the edge of the shaft log as it rotates, then I'm afraid you're going to have to shim the strut to put the Cutless bearing and shaft log back in alignment. Whatever you do, don't just push the shaft to where it's centered in the shaft log, and not pay attention to whether it's properly aligned to the Cutless bearing, or else you'll introduce a bend in the shaft, which will give you vibration under power and accelerated Cutless bearing wear. Alignments are slow, tedious, and frustrating jobs. Good luck.
The shaft is not touching the tube. The boat is in the water now and no leaks from the stuffing box. I have not run the engine yet. How would you go about aligning the motor with the shaft? Does the coupling need to be disconnected? Mine is badly rusted.

Thanks!

Tony