How to bend a stuffing tube to align it?

[shartinspartin]

I just picked up a new boat. Im reading that the stuffing tube needs to be aligned with the shaft..
How do i bend it without damaging the fiberglass tub?
Thanks

[JimClark]

Are you asying it is out od alignment now" How bout some pictures to show how bad it is. It may be easier to shim under the motor mount if it is too low now

[tlandauer]

I just picked up a new boat. Im reading that the stuffing tube needs to be aligned with the shaft..
How do i bend it without damaging the fiberglass tub?
Thanks

I am glad that your boat arrived safe and sound. If you are referring to an AC Motley Crew/UL-1 type motor mount, I wouldn't touch the stuffing tube. I had to adjust my UL-1 and I enlarged the holes on the motor mount so I can move the motor a bit to mate the cable better. Use washers to cover the bigger holes.

[siberianhusky]

LOL if there is misalignment it's probably that lovely motor mount that bent! Just grab hold of the motor and bend it back into alignment, I'm positive with mine that the weight of the motor hanging off the back of that cheezy thing cause it to bend in a blow over. Did a complete interior rebuild and tossed that POS and installed an normal mount on the floor of the hull, just needed to trim the stuffing tube and shaft a little bit. Never had a motor alignment issue since, used to be a regular happening in violent crashes. Once it bent the first time it just seemed to keep doing it more often until I got fed up. Cheap material and metal fatigue.
I've seen where a few people have added an aluminum doubler to the stock mount...

[shartinspartin]

I am glad that your boat arrived safe and sound. If you are referring to an AC Motley Crew/UL-1 type motor mount, I wouldn't touch the stuffing tube. I had to adjust my UL-1 and I enlarged the holes on the motor mount so I can move the motor a bit to mate the cable better. Use washers to cover the bigger holes.

It didnt arrive safe =( the first one was cracked everywhere and the tips of the boat (i think its called sponsons? please correct me) where destroyed. I shipped it back and ordered another one the same day.. I really liked it besides the cracks.... So make a bigger hole? Is it rally needed on all of these types of boats?

[shartinspartin]

LOL if there is misalignment it's probably that lovely motor mount that bent! Just grab hold of the motor and bend it back into alignment, I'm positive with mine that the weight of the motor hanging off the back of that cheezy thing cause it to bend in a blow over. Did a complete interior rebuild and tossed that POS and installed an normal mount on the floor of the hull, just needed to trim the stuffing tube and shaft a little bit. Never had a motor alignment issue since, used to be a regular happening in violent crashes. Once it bent the first time it just seemed to keep doing it more often until I got fed up. Cheap material and metal fatigue.
I've seen where a few people have added an aluminum doubler to the stock mount...

Well my boat has never seen water (as far as i know I bought it scratch and dent) Is there an upgrade besides doubling up?

[tlandauer]

Well my boat has never seen water (as far as i know I bought it scratch and dent) Is there an upgrade besides doubling up?

Properchopper glued a G-10 CF to double it up ( I hope I remembered correctly as I have seen it in person) , it is essentially the same shape as the mount, just to make it more rigid, if you know what I mean. The thing to watch out if you want to bend the mount is not to put stress on the side mounting area where it attaches to the tub. Now, if for any reason that you have "twisted" the mount plate for adjustment, I don't think it is possible to glue the double plate. In order for that to adhere properly, the plate needs to be flat so it is flush.
I have never crashed my UL-1 and I have not had a problem with the stock mount being too weak. Yes, in a flip it will give because the aluminum is not that strong. You need to see what works best for you.