bob medico wrote:
Hi,

I have a sailboat with a 1" stainless propellor shaft. The shaft is
supported outside by a rubber cutlass bearing in the hull (no strut). Inside
there is a short piece of hose with a stuffing box/ packing nut. When the
coupling is disconnected at the transmission the shaft will sag about 1/2".
My question is how do you know when the shaft coupling is at the correct
hieght (up and down) prior to getting out the feeler gauge etc. I imagine
this is a common question?

TIA

Bob


Well, believe it or not, you can get quite close by sight and touch.

Regardless, you would need to move the engine, not the shaft. Or
don't allow the adjustment to move when you take it out. Whenever I
remove my engine, I unscrew the lag bolts holding the adjustable
mounts to the beds. Putting it back in requires no adjustment.

I have a similar sounding packing tube arrangement.

Terry K