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| Tony's Tips |
ARTICLE DATE: 10/01/2005 |
| Installing shafts, logs,
struts & rudders with your favorite engine / transmission |
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| Next we will typically use a small stub
shaft to locate our first cut thru the bottom. Can't go much farther until
we take that plunge. |
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| Log
cut and shaft set-up |
Shaft
log cut and shaft mock-up |
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| By now we know our approx. shaft length,
so we install a dummy shaft, usually longer than we need. We like it to
"initially" go past the rudder center, if possible, as it gives us a easier
way of locating the rudder center exactly where we want it. On single engine
boats, it's always on boat center, on twins you have a choice-on center,
or offset to the outside (inside?) to allow easier shaft removal. |
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| Full
length shaft set-up |
Rudder
log-rough install |
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We've now drilled a hole and located our
rudder centers. Our next step is to install the rudder log / lower bearing,
permanently. Remember I said, install both ends and then fill in the center.
Well this is our aft end and we really cannot go farther until we have the
100% FIXED point at least on one end. The engine/trans could still be moved
some, if needed.
Because of all of the imperfections in
boat hulls, we always float our metal pieces in place with structural epoxies
suited for the purpose. After curing, exactly in the correct place/alignment,
we then drill/bolt/add backing plates/caulk as needed. It's now 100%, and
we have our first fixed point on the vessel that will guide us to the rest.
Finished - Rudder, Strut, shaft... |
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| Finish-rudder,
lower rudder bearing & strut backing |
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