November 11, 2002
The project this time was cutting the hole in the bottom of the boat!
Once the shaft angle and engine position were decided upon, both Mike Hanson and Dixon Smith did the trigonometry independently to determine how to drill the hole.
This calculation had to be done carefully, because they had to take into account where the bottom of the cutter would first touch, not the center; and make sure this gave the proper shaft angle and height at the gearbox.
To cut the actual hole, a modified hole saw was used. This saw was a standard hole saw with the top cut off, and welded onto a hollow tube. This is necessary to make cut, since the angle is small and the bottom thick, a normal hole saw could not get through. This also gives a longer arm to use when setting up the trig.
A board with a hole cut in it, and mounted on the stern, provided stabilization and the proper angle. Then, very carefully, the hole was cut in the bottom of the boat for the propeller shaft.
Read MoreOnce the shaft angle and engine position were decided upon, both Mike Hanson and Dixon Smith did the trigonometry independently to determine how to drill the hole.
This calculation had to be done carefully, because they had to take into account where the bottom of the cutter would first touch, not the center; and make sure this gave the proper shaft angle and height at the gearbox.
To cut the actual hole, a modified hole saw was used. This saw was a standard hole saw with the top cut off, and welded onto a hollow tube. This is necessary to make cut, since the angle is small and the bottom thick, a normal hole saw could not get through. This also gives a longer arm to use when setting up the trig.
A board with a hole cut in it, and mounted on the stern, provided stabilization and the proper angle. Then, very carefully, the hole was cut in the bottom of the boat for the propeller shaft.
