On Sat, 8 Sep 2012 15:42:47 -0400, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:


Actually, inboard diesel boats that need meticulous shaft alignment and
countless hours to accomplish this alignment are an anachronism.

Isn't it about time yacht builders took a cue from automobile manufacturers?

Why not use a universal joint instead of the dreaded flange set? After all,
when one properly aligns a pair of flanges one is pretty much assuming the
motor is fixed but the motor actually rides on rubber foot pads that can and
do compress thus tending to throw off the careful alignment especially under
hard usage. A proper universal joint would allow the motor to 'float' and the
hull to be more isolated from vibrations.

Just a thought.


Wilbur Hubbard


As usually Willie-boy doesn't know what he is talking about. It has
been done and is being done and has been for many years. How in the
world do you suppose they "align" the shaft when installing a 2,300
ton Wartsila-Sulzer 108,920 H.P. engine?

But back to the toy boats, flex couplings have been used for years on
yacht installations. I had one that was original equipment on a sail
boat built in the 1970's, so the idea was around at least that long
ago.

As my mother used to say about those a little short in the brain
department - "A day late and a dollar short". It fits Willie-boy to a
tee.