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As stated in Post #1 Item 4, Seahorse engaged a Hong Kong sub-contract yard to replace the full size 3 blade max prop with a half powered 4 blade fixed prop for trouble shooting trial purpose. An additional Whip Bearing was also inserted from the prop end (Post #13). During the sea trial and...

As stated in Post #1, Seahorse has tried all simple fixes (therefore did not outright refuse to correct the problem). Seahorse still contends it will correct the problem. In fact Bill Kimely wanted to fix it right in Hong Kong until he got upset. We are now back to square one, that the boat...

The bond is somewhere between 40 to 45% of the assessed value of the boat. My boat is likely assessed very close to its original price. The government would give the money back upon re-export, though it may take a while according to chats on the net. However I suspect Seahorse has reasonably...

This is just my experience specific to DD542. As far as I know DD462s are well built without vibration. Of course no boats are perfect, so long the issues may be handled within the capability of the owner. Unfortunately for DD54201, vibration is not within my capability.

The progress overall is negative. As summarized in Post #1, Seahorse at the time (June 2018) would not put in the bond and towage to bring the boat back to its yard ($$$), nor would it pay for fixing the boat in Hong Kong ($$$$$). Admittedly I was not happy because Seahorse knowingly delivered...

You need to look at the diagram in Post #127. The Whip Bearing is physically identical to the Cutlass Bearing, a Duramax water lubricated bearing, no balls. The shaft is supported by the Cutlass Bearing at Prop end, the Whip Bearing in the middle, and the Thrust Bearing (some would say it's a...

I'd like to be a Diesel Duck lifer until my time is up. Fixing this vibration has become my obsession, though that may not be shared by Seahorse.

Thanks for the comment. Please see Post #148 for reply.

Again thanks for the words of experience (see Post #147). Based on several comments, it sounds like sag in Stern Tube is unlikely to be the cause of vibration. Seahorse workers did check during alignment and would not have proceeded if there was any observable issue with Stern Tube alignment...

Thanks for the comment. Very much appreciate the judgement by experience of what's likely or not, as I am not hands on and have no feel of what is theoretically possible vs practically probable. Your comment will help me look into the right area.

Sorry for the late reply. Prepared for then survived the worst recorded typhoon in Hong Kong. Post #127 has a diagram of the assembly. The Fiberglass Stern Tube is 3.34 meter (about 11 ft). The boat has a long keel so the entire Shaft Log/Stern Tube/Shaft is within the keel, except the two...

I am saying this purely from a theoretical physics point of view. As long as there is gravity, and the two ends of any Stern Tube are held up in the air, there will be a sag. Fiberglass Stern Tubes on long keels are typically aligned by centering the two ends of the Stern Tube, with the...

Sorry for the late reply. All points of view welcome.

Not sure what's available in China or in Hong Kong. Anything could be made available for a price, and I believe Bill Kimley had taken that into account. Will continue googling. However I am curious about the over-size boring idea. Are you saying to deliberately bore the Stern Tube larger...

Correction on the wall thickness of the Stern Tube as is: It is about 0.65". Inner diameter is 2.625" and outer is about 4". Again Bill Kimley said there is plenty of material to work with. I know DD542-02 (still being built) uses a 2.5" shaft (as compared with 2.25" being planned for my...

Thanks for the comment. According to Bill Kimley, there is plenty of material on the Stern Tube. I tend to agree just by looking at the percentage. We are reaming about 1/8" wall thickness from approximately 1" total wall thickness. DD542-02 (still being built) follows the same approach (but...

Agree with you that IF the Stern Tube is not straight, the reamed Stern Tube would still not be straight. This is why I am asking for suggestions, on how to check the straightness of the Stern Tube, and most importantly, how to determine the acceptable amount of sag (theoretically every Stern...

Thanks for the advice of more cutter bits. As far as I know (and I did my homework), there is only one 55' (or thereabout) DD built by Seahorse before my DD542-01. This is a full sized 55' much bulkier, while DD542-01 is merely a stretched/lengthened version of DD462s. George Buehler said...

This thread started as a my request for advice on replacing the shaft with a name brand. Seahorse then decided to do so, but while at it, also wants to increase the shaft diameter. The diagram showing various drive train components is again attached below, showing in sequence: Prop (now a...

Progress Update - Approach to Fixing the Vibration In Post #124 I gave an update on finding the cause of vibration. This (belated) post is meant to give an update on the progress of fixing the vibration. However as I have a very specific question on the approach to fixing the vibration...

Progress Update - Finding the Cause It has been quite a while since I got all the advices (with gratitude) from the forum (last thread being #123 on 27 June 2018), and as a gesture of appreciation, I will keep all updated on the current status. This is the first thread, to report on the...

Not being mechanically hands on, I can fill my imagination with very drastic scenarios, and the shaft whirling against the stern tube is conceivable. However I don't think it happened otherwise it would have broken off ? More interestingly is how you gauge/measure shaft whirling and runout at...

Thanks for the comment. Please see reply in Post #118

Yes, the entire 5" ID steel Shaft Log is lined. Just to summarize the construction again: 1. The 2-5/8" ID x 3.34m Fiberglass Stern Tube holds the 2" Prop Shaft inside with the help of Cutless Bearing and Whip Bearing. 2. The 5" ID x 3.24m Steel Shaft Log hols the Fiberglass Stern Tube...

Thank you so much ! Will definitely contact Jeff. Tried a few based in USA, and no reply.