Engine Installation on the Far Reach

[John Stone]

Cutlass bearing installed. Lightly coated aft 3” of bearing with 3M 40000. Then used light taps from dead blow to drive it into place. Next, I used a caulking tip to center the drill bit in the tapped hole to keep the bit centered but also protect the threads from getting boogered up. Just lightly drilled dimpled holes in bearing sleeve. Secured the 316 SS cone set screws in place.

So, now the shaft log has been constructed, installed, and faired; rudder top rebuilt; beds and drip tray fabricated and installed; spare anchor storage modified, fuel tank designed and installed; Engine bulkhead extended; workbench and companionway ladder redesigned and modified; through hulls made flush; engine installed; strainer and fuel/water separator installed; new electrical and engine gauge panel designed, built and installed; and cutlass bearing installed.

Not too much more to do: Get the shaft built and installed. Align the engine. Design and install second battery storage system. Install water lock muffler and run exhaust hose. Drill for exhaust hole hardware. Wire up the engine. Install engine throttle control. Build the front mahogany panel for the engine compartment. Probably some more minor items that escape my mind at the moment. All in all, I’m pretty darn happy.

[John Stone]

A couple more photos of cutlass bearing installation.

[Jim Walsh]

Caulking tip drill guide.....I’m going to have to file that one in my aging memory bank. Great idea.

[Jerry Hammernik]

Caulking tip drill guide.....I’m going to have to file that one in my aging memory bank. Great idea.

X2

[Steve Laume]

The caulk tip is a great idea.

I have a set of these that I always used for cabinet hinges. They work great but will cost you more than a caulk tip, Steve.

https://www.amazon.com/QWORK-Centering- ... 5963&psc=1

[John Stone]

The caulk tip is a great idea.

I have a set of these that I always used for cabinet hinges. They work great but will cost you more than a caulk tip, Steve.

https://www.amazon.com/QWORK-Centering- ... 5963&psc=1

I can see having a set of those. Nothing like having the exact right tool for the job. The caulking tip was an excellent solution for on the fly work. I wish I could say I thought it up...alas it was suggested to me by a boat builder. Just a smart simple clever keep moving forward solution.

[John Stone]

Today I intended to assemble all the parts to accurately measure the propeller shaft so I could go by Bircher Marine tomorrow to get the shaft build started.

I assembled the flex coupling and connected it to the tranny and the flange. I inserted the fiberglass shaft mock up and installed the zinc. But I felt like I needed to tighten the nuts to pull it all together for a really accurate measurement. I only had the nylon locking nuts and I didn’t want to use them. Much too difficult. The ships store where I have a commercial account was closed by the time figured out I needed some simple metric nuts—8 or 10 mm. So I stopped. I’ll reattack tomorrow.

[John Stone]

Dropped off the shaft mock up, drawings, measurements, prop hub and flange at the machine shop. Should have the prop shaft back in two weeks.

Slowly putting my ship back into fighting trim. Working on the front engine box panel. Made a template from doorskin ply and hot glue gun. The photo is weirdly distorted. Everything is all square and plumb. Will cut some okume marine ply and then epoxy African mahogany staving to to it. Same as the rest of the boat. Still thinking about the latches and such. Very glad to be put things back together.

Not finished though. Still need to install the vetus shift/throttle mechanism, staring battery, waterlock muffler, exhaust hose and some fuel and raw seawater hose. But getting closer. No doubt about it.

Replaced the the little screws that secure the water impeller cover plate with knurled knobs. Still have a lot to learn about the engine.

[John Stone]

One more picture: I test fit the okume 1/2” ply panel. The African Mahogany staving will be epoxied to the ply. Then I need to add the bottom hinged step and the middle step with supports.

[Jim Walsh]

Nice work. Much more interesting than working on a shed.....

[John Stone]

Nice work. Much more interesting than working on a shed.....

Aye. In the perfect world that lives only in my head I would have the FR and a two story 45x45 warehouse. One side of the warehouse would be open ceiling. The FR would slide end and sit there when not in the water. Both ends would have roll up doors. The other half of the warehouse would have two floors. Living space up stair with walk out to the boat at near deck level. Wood and metal shop below with a separate space for storage. Detached garage.

Alas... I am building a 12x12 shed behind our home. LOL.

[fmueller]

John,

McMaster Carr for the screws ?

Also, I'm surprised you've got your engine control panel where it is Sometimes when you want engine power, you want it asap. Kind of a safety thing ?? Or can you reach the key from the companion way ?

Fred

[John Stone]

John,

McMaster Carr for the screws ?

Also, I'm surprised you've got your engine control panel where it is Sometimes when you want engine power, you want it asap. Kind of a safety thing ?? Or can you reach the key from the companion way ?

Fred

Here is the link.
https://www.mcmaster.com/92957A160/

I have sailed all these years without an engine—I don’t think I need to have the key to an engine at the tip of my fingers now. Better to have it protected and out of the elements. I can reach through the companionway and back under the bridge-deck I guess. But, if I needed to suddenly do that I would not be doing a very good job planning and thinking ahead. I don’t think of the engine as a safety device. Just a tool, like any other.

[John Stone]

I picked up the prop shaft. Looks great. Aqualoy 22. Supposed to be very strong with great corrosion resistance. Jim Bircher does great work.

No boat work this week though. Sad. Working to finish up the shed. We are doing a great job but my heart is barely in it. I keep thinking the Far Reach and I should be anchored out at the Bight at Cape Lookout waiting for a weather window to cross the Gulf Stream and head to the Virgin Islands. Alas, next year....

[John Stone]

Here is the prop shaft.