Matriarch at Flank Speed

[Elco57]

On Saturday, it was time to "see what the old girl's got." Here's a photo of "Matriarch" at 21 knots. I'm turning 24x26 four-blade props with twin Cummins 903 V8 diesels.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/FlankSpeed-21kts.jpg

[lestat]

HOLY SMOKES!!!!SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND GRANDE!!!!

[formerlyknownasprince]

Great stuff. I bet that put a smile on your face!

How did you resolve the shaft knocking noise?

Ian

[Elco57]

The shaft knock seems to have resolved itself. I guess the shaft had to "get situated" or something. I'm going to have a diver friend of mine go down at take a look-see at the cutlass bearings to be sure that they're not wearing out of round or something maybe even worse. I new shaft would probably cost as much as a Geo Metro.

Here's my grand-daughter intently piloting the boat, as see through the yet-to-be-completed windshield.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/CaptainEmma.jpg

[Lion]

Thats some bow wave!!!

[Ken Hutchins]

Stunning. smile.gif smile.gif smile.gif smile.gif

[formerlyknownasprince]

If you haven't realigned the engines since launching, this may be the issue. The boat will have changed shape in the water. How easily did the shafts spin when she was out of the water?

Try taking the engine coupling bolts out and checking with a feeler guage. The spec is one thou of gap allowed at the coupling per inch of coupling diameter.

Ian

[guillemot]

She's a knock-out!

Did you ever decide what to do with the copper fuel lines?

[Elco57]

The engine coupling idea is a good one but won't work in this case. These engines are installed with 24" driveshaftsusing a flange bearing imediately in back of the coupling flange.

The shafts turned by hand with no problem when she was out of the water and for that matter, were fairly easy to push forward and back as well. Of course, that could mean it was too loose but it's hard to be sure. There was a slight upward cast in the port shaft but this was assumed to be a result of the hull changing shape while high and dry.

This boat has three struts with cutlass bearings per side. there's a LOT of shaft hanging out of the bottom. I've considered removing the center strut, assuming that my "putting around the lake" at near idle speed would not over-tax the remaining two struts. The idea would allow for nearly fool-proof alignment since I have the ability to reposition the flange bearing. It's a decision I can make after I get the diver's report. We'll be wrapping her in a her caccoon soon and by March, the hull should have found it's final resting place.

[Kim Whitmyre]

:cool:

[Alan D. Hyde]

A great post.

Thanks, and congratulations.

I wouldn't change those bearings unless they're not original. I suspect that her designer & her builder knew what they were doing, and wouldn't believe otherwise without proof positive from both long and thought-out personal experience and also a highly credible expert (N/A) source.

Alan

[Gary E]

Looking good there...congratz...

How many RPM were the engines turning at that speed?

As for the bearings between the strut and the shaft log, I would leave them in place, good insurance aginst a bent shaft. I had a twin scr boat with one mid brg on each shaft, it's no problem to align and another would not be any more dificult.

[N. Scheuer]

Wonderful photos, both of them.

Moby Nick

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Lovely picture. Well done!

[Elco57]

Here's a nice shot we took today against the Fall foliage.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/November2005135.jpg

[skuthorp]

:cool: :D :cool: Your granddaughter will remember that all her life! What a stunning job, I am in awe of your skills and motivation. :cool:

[Ian Marchuk]

Completely and utterly gobsmacked.....
High art.... WELL DONE