CS36T Owner’s Manual
Page 13
set screws. Check this bearing for wear at every fit-out. A zinc sacrificial anode is fitted on the shaft
ahead of the P-Bracket to protect the shaft and propeller from corrosion. The anode should be
inspected on a regular basis and renewed when required. The shaft passes through the hull at the
stuffing box.
5.4.1
Propeller Shaft Alignment
The propeller shaft is carefully aligned with the engine prior to delivery of a yacht. However, each time
the boat is launched, this alignment should be checked, especially if there is excessive vibration when
the engine is running, or loss of engine speed is evident.
Check the alignment in the following sequences: (a) remove the bolts on the shaft coupling adjacent to
the transmission box; (b) support the weight of the shaft and coupling and slide the coupling faces
together by hand; and, (c) use a feeler gauge or a piece of metal stock of .003" maximum thickness to
check that the gauge is gripped firmly and completely around the entire circumference of the coupling
faces.
If the feeler gauge does not pull evenly around the entire coupling, misalignment is evident. This can be
corrected by adjusting the engine legs until the coupling faces match evenly. Rotate the shaft 1800 and
again check the alignment. Should it still be out of line it could indicate a bent shaft. The shaft must then
be removed and straightened or replaced.
5.4.2
C
oupling
The shaft is keyed to the half coupling and is retained in the half coupling by a set screw which is wired
up at plant to ensure it cannot back off. Check the wire and tightness of the coupling bolts at every fit-
out.
If there is any reason to suspect misalignment between the engine and the propeller shaft, have a
competent service yard check the alignment and correct if necessary. Some telltale signs are excessive
vibration, unreasonable wear at the packing gland and P-bracket bearing.
5.4.3
S
tuffing
B
ox
The stuffing box is located at the inboard end of a fiberglass tube passing through the hull. The stuffing
box should be inspected on a regular basis. The fiberglass tube and the stuffing box are connected by
means of a flexible rubber held in place by hose clamps. If there is only a slight drip no adjustment
should be made to avoid seizure. If the leak is excessive, the packing glands may be tightened by
loosening the lock nut and tightening the gland nut slightly (roughly a quarter turn), then tightening the
lock nut again.
NOTE: The rubber tubing at the stuffing box must be inspected yearly. It should be replaced every 2
years. The gland packing nut should never be over tightened. The idea is for the gland to drip slowly
when running under power, with no drip when the shaft is not turning.
