Service
Marine Running Gear Services
Marine running gear can best be defined as everything below the waterline at the external surface of a vessel. Some of these components impact the internal features of a boat, and it’s safe to assume that the running gear has to be in order for the safety and performance of a watercraft.
At Marina Mile Yachting Center, we pay close attention to your running gear equipment and how it is impacting the form and function of a vessel. Some of the smallest issues at the hull of a boat can cause a multitude of problems with speed, engine efficiency, steering and much more. Please take a look below at some of the services we provide our clients to ensure their running gear doesn’t give them cause for concern.
- Remove and replace shafts
- Remove or Replace Propellers
- Rudders, Couplings, Struts
- Seals, Strainers, and Thru-Hulls
- Engine Alignment
- Anodes or Zincs
- Propeller Reconditing, Dynamic Balancing
Marine Running Gear Services
What we can provide:
A Shaft, or cutlass bearing, is found on the prop where it meets the hull of the boat. This area can see normal wear and tear as well as corrosion issues. Vibrations can occur in the prop shaft causing the engine to be out of alignment and causing unwanted wear at the seals and stuffing boxes. Chances are, we will need to haul the vessel out of the water to evaluate and repair this area of a boat.
The blades of a prop can see damage from various incidents on the water. Whether someone hit debris or ran aground, prop damage wrecks havoc on an engine and a boat’s performance. Regular inspections of props are good to do, to make sure the blade is pitched correctly and is not bent or corroded.
We can inspect these equipment features to ensure proper water displacement is taking place and that the vessel steers appropriately. Some of these components may impact internal mechanics like the linkage or cable systems inside the boat’s hull.
An inspection of seals, such as those around the prop shafts, is an essential task as unattended problems can lead to significant boat leaks. We can also check the strainers, as they tend to harbor debris and mollusks, creating issues for a boat’s heat exchanger. Thru-hull and seacock seals can also be evaluated to ensure they are not leaking.
The first sign that an engine is not aligned is if vibrations are felt onboard a vessel. If there is a problem with the shaft seals, or we detect leaks in your stuffing boxes, we can repair these items as well. Again, the vessel may need to be hauled out for this work.
The presence of anodes on vessels is a must in saltwater environments. These small pieces of equipment made of zinc, sacrifice themselves to protect other metal surfaces of a boat from corrosive damage. There is a bit of science when it comes to the placement of these components. We are skilled at placement and choosing the right zincs for watercraft and won’t “over zinc” a vessel which can create other problems.
A Note on
Vibrations
More times than not, a vibration that seems to come from the running gear area of a boat is not desirable. We mentioned that this might be due to an engine alignment issue, but it’s also worth noting that these can also show up if you have a bent propeller shaft or bent prop. If left unattended, these vibrations can get worse and cause significant damage to the transmission system and potentially sink a boat.
