Shakey in gear

[S/V Sideways]

@Davidasailor26

Going to measure the pilot dia. And get one of the sigma couplings, thank you for the info!

"Hello Dennis,
Thank you for your interest in SigmaDrive shaft couplings. It is my pleasure to provide you with a quote for your Perkins, with (possibly Borg Warner) transmission. For this setup we would suggest a SD100 @ $1155 due to the high torque load. We would need to know the pilot diameter on the inside of the coupling before ordering. This part centers the unit and has about 4 different options. We believe you need a 2.5” diameter pilot, please can you confirm?
Thanks
Rod "

 

[S/V Sideways]

ALL;
I just wanted to thank everyone who replied, took the time to write me with a solution.
You're one of "The good ones"

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

For this setup we would suggest a SD100 @ $1155 due to the high torque load.

For a cheap SOB like myself, I would only be looking at how to get a good alignment of what's in there right now at those prices.

As the write-up I sent you says:

1. Is the prop shaft bent ?
2. Is the prop shaft coupling face at 90.0000000 degrees to the axis of the prop shaft ?

If (IF being the operative word) you measure these properties and find they are correct, you should be able to do a proper alignment. Even if you have to start all over with new shaft and coupling, I don't think it would be that expensive. Maybe get an estimate before proceeding with the fancy coupling.

Remember, the alignment is bad BUT it still may not be the cause of the bad vibration.

Sorry to piss on your corn flakes so early in the morning but that's the way of boats.

 

[S/V Sideways]

Thanks for all the tips. I've installed the sigmadrive and I'm happy to report that my engine is running smooth as butter! 10 out of 10 would recommend.
There were 1 or 2 of you who said to just check everything again. That's fine but when you have a rigid, straight shaft bolted to a engine mounted on rubber (basically) there's just no way that I can see, to maintain that .005" tolerance. It might work great for a few hours use but the rubber is going to break down, settle in, whatever and your going to start getting vibration. You might not notice it, but It's there.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Thanks for all the tips. I've installed the sigmadrive and I'm happy to report that my engine is running smooth as butter!

In the end, the problem is solved and the cost is very quickly forgotten. Can you send a shot of the coupling installed ?

 

[Hayden Watson]

Thanks for the follow up. I am glad that the suggestion worked out you your satisfaction. It is easy to suggest to someone that they can spend some significant cast to solve a problem, but I always worry that it might not work out as well as hoped.

 

[S/V Sideways]

In the end, the problem is solved and the cost is very quickly forgotten. Can you send a shot of the coupling installed ?

Sure, Just don't get all judgy about the appearance of my bilge

 

[S/V Sideways]

Thanks for the follow up. I am glad that the suggestion worked out you your satisfaction. It is easy to suggest to someone that they can spend some significant cast to solve a problem, but I always worry that it might not work out as well as hoped.

Not as glad as I.
I don't hesitate to think that this old girl is smoother running with the device than when new without it.

 

[S/V Sideways]

Sure, Just don't get all judgy about the appearance of my bilge

Also - the initial quote was over $400. more that I paid. I was able to use the SD55 unit due to the O.D. of my prop. shaft being 1.250'

 

[Hayden Watson]

Also - the initial quote was over $400. more that I paid. I was able to use the SD55 unit due to the O.D. of my prop. shaft being 1.250'

That is good to know. I have a 1"ø shaft