T&T: Power train confidence

[Rich Gano]

Today was to be the first day underway since the stbd tranny pressure plate
fix a week ago.  Loaded boat with the essentials for a couple of days away
and got underway.

A few yards away from the pier, I began a test of the shaft coupling
security after changing out the opposed Allen-head set screws for
square-headed screws I could honk down on harder.  The new square heads were
drilled and wired in place too, and I had given them a satisfactory backing
test in the slip.

Clear of the slip, backing on both shafts revealed movement between coupling
and shaft with both backing out of the two-inch long coupling about a
quarter inch.  Neither trying to tighten the set screws nor shifting back to
the old ones solved the issue.  That got a no-confidence vote from the
Admiral and me.  VERY gently backed into the slip and secured.  First thing
Monday morning I will be calling to the yard for haul out and then change to
a pair of split couplings.  Will go ahead with new PYI dripless packings and
cutless bearings while there - may as well bite those bullets too.

Hopefully, the yard will not be tied up with hurricane insurance haul-outs
due to Ike.

Rich Gano
CALYPSO (GB-42 #295)
Southport, FL