Heavy vibration

[MarieK]

I have never even checked my engine mount nuts, must do that!

 

[iangrant]

Be Careful

The engineer just rang. Problem solved. The outboard rear engine mount nut had worked loose, allowing the engine to drop and putting extra load on the shaft. That was enough, as described earlier, to cause the vibration. However, it had also put enough strain on the coupling to shear the head of one of the gearbox-coupling bolts.

They're just sourcing the coupling bolt now, and all should be back together very soon, at fairly minimal expense (no new engine mounts, cutless bearings, props or shafts needed). As an aside, I also managed to get her freshly antifouled, polished all the underwater gear and checked the anodes, so she's good to go!

Given the damage that could have been inflicted (a la Muckfarter sinking), it was a very lucky escape...

I'm sure your engineers know what they are doing but I really hope they ensure the shaft is still aligned, it should really be losened off its coupling and check through 360 degrees.

Don't want to be a harbenger of doom but i'm sure others will agree.

Ian

 

[Wiggo]

Thanks Ian, yes the shaft has been properly aligned. Twice, in fact. Once when they reset the engine mount and realigned everything, and a second time when the found the sheared bolt in the gearbox output flange and had to disconnect everything and redo it all...

Note to self: check that they've repacked the stern glands before relaunching...

 

[PaulGooch]

Glad to hear you've got it sorted, without selling any organs to pay the bill

 

[burgundyben]

Great news.

I have always found it worth checking the shaft alignment while afloat. Perhaps your boat not as wobbly as mine!