July 2007
I never cease to be amazed at the power of the internet. After last months
posting, several of you emailed me solutions to my problem of not being able
to acquire a GRP stern tube of the desired length, 2650mm.
So I ordered my 2500mm stern tube from
Vitesse Marine
all set to have to extend it, when I got a call from Vitesse saying the Vetus Holland
were somewhat concerned that I'd ordered a 3000mm propeller shaft and only a
2500mm stern tube. And what length of stern tube did I want. They also
recommended an additional shaft bearing. What fantastic service!
Then a few days later came the bad news... 2000mm max.
Never mind, 1500 + 1150 = 2650, so back to plan 'A'.
So with a prop shaft and stern tube due to arrive in a few weeks, or so I thought, I felt it was about time I cut the necessary hole in the hull bottom panel...
With the CAD dimensions in hand and a film plot of the intersection generated by the
44mm stern tube at 7.2 degrees to the hull, it was time to mark out the slot. After
measuring at least twice, I transferred the profile to the hull.
9mm clearance holes for the jigsaw go in next then having measured the positions of
the bulkheads relative to these more clearance holes go in.
Then Jigsaw between the holes and jobs done. It should now be possible to use
the hole saw to cut the last two clearance holes in the bulkheads and with some final
grivelling with the Dremel, finish the job.