"bob medico" wrote in message
...
Thanks for your comments. I have already sent both shaft and coupling out
to
machine shop to check straightness. I also plan to replace the rubber hose
that the packing nut attaches to. When I get those back in I'll let you
know
how things turn out.
............................. and originally
...............................
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
height (up and down) prior to getting out the feeler gauge etc. I
imagine
this is a common question?

Bob thanks for raising your question.
We have similar problem on a Westerly 26 with Volvo MD-1B. Our stuffing
box/cutlass bearing tube sound identical.
We think our problem is damaged engine mounts? We got a rope around the prop
and that broke the rubber shaft couplings! We remade the cutlass bearing
mounting. Installed a new shaft and replaced the couplings.
But every time I bolt up the shaft coupling it moves it moves eccentrically
when the shaft it rotated by hand; rebolting at 90 or 180 degrees does not
help. Only thing seems to be engine is out of line with shaft due to the
damaged engine mounts?????
Would be most interested if you could post your outcome.
Best of luck. Terry.