Carver Owners Forum

The other benefit you get if you get them scanned now is that you get a baseline. If it's not out of tolerance you don't have to do anything, but at least you know where you stand.

If you EVER have damage down the road, you can bring that prop (or even a new or used prop) back to them and have them match it to your original specs.

Thanks to everyone for their input. I am a firm believer in risk management, 34 years of producing medical electronics. I will pull the props and establish a baseline. I will provide an update as things progress.
Dan

The prop shops up my way make regular runs to marinas for prop pick ups and drop offs. Ask them if they pick up regularly at a marina close to you and find out if you can drop them off there or hook up with their driver at a mutually agreed upon location during one of their regular regional runs.

Viper wrote:Qr Bbpost The prop shops up my way make regular runs to marinas for prop pick ups and drop offs. Ask them if they pick up regularly at a marina close to you and find out if you can drop them off there or hook up with their driver at a mutually agreed upon location during one of their regular regional runs.

Agreed, same process here. The local prop shops make regular rounds to area marinas or are on call. Will pick up and drop off.

Holland Propeller is considered the best on the west side of Michigan. They have experience with Carver's and they have invited me to go through the initial scan. They are located in one of the highest marina slip areas in Michigan. It's worth the drive.

The other thing influencing my choice is I have little confidence in my marina making good vendor choices.
Dan

dsolo wrote:Qr Bbpost Holland Propeller is considered the best on the west side of Michigan. They have experience with Carver's and they have invited me to go through the initial scan. They are located in one of the highest marina slip areas in Michigan. It's worth the drive.

The other thing influencing my choice is I have little confidence in my marina making good vendor choices.
Dan

Good idea , you will learn something when you are there and come home with a much better understanding of things....lets us know how it turns out.......

Viper, I have looked at struts and bearings and found them in good condition. No chips or voids and shafts are centered. I am following your input on recommended maintenance for a new boat owner. The props are just one of those steps.

Not sure how to dial the shaft and check alignment? Boat is on dry supports, can you measure alignment with these stresses? I was waiting until after launch to check engine alignment. I don't have any experience in these processes so maybe a mechanic/tech should be summons?

Dan

Dialing the shafts is just that, a dial indicator is used to check if the shaft is true. This is done by putting the dial up against the shaft and rotating the shaft to see if it is true. It most definitely can be done on land. While it won't be as accurate as removing and taking it into the machine shop to be measured, it's a starting point to determine if indeed they need to be removed and checked closer. I like taking a measurement in 2-3 locations on the shaft.

When I talk about checking shaft alignment at the strut and stern tube, it's a visual inspection to determine if the shaft is centered in the strut bearing or is it slightly off to one side and crushing the bearing there. Is the shaft going through the center of the stern tube as it goes into the hull? This sets you up to confirm the gear outside is set up properly before checking shaft to engine alignment. Shaft to engine alignment is a different animal, and while you should check the above to eliminate that part of the equation while it's out of the water ('cause you can't see it after it's launched), FINAL shaft to engine alignment/check should only be done in the water after the hull settles for 1-2 days, longer if the vessel has been sitting on land for a few years IMO.

Viper, ok got it. I have the dial indicator, I will pick up a adjustable holder. What allowable deflection?
Is there a secret to rotating the shafts?

I have checked the bearing in both the struts and stern support. They look good. Shafts are visually centered.

Your questions regarding the performance of the vessel. Actually the drive trains sound and feel good. Very smooth acceleration, no rough spots and shafts have no concerning vibrations.

If no vibrations and running smoothly....remind me again why we are checking runout of the shafts?

Sounds to me like you need to do some boating my friend and quickly. You have a very bad case of off-season-itis,