With the slots cut, it was time to install the stuffing boxes. They got scuffed up with 100 grit sandpaper and a cleaning with acetone. The shaft was pushed through the strut and the box was slid on to the shaft. The box was moved in to position. With my left hand holding the box and my right hand twisting the shaft back and forth, I located the position of the box that gave me the least resistance while I was rotating the shaft. I carefully grabbed the bottle of Zap-a-gap with my right and tacked the box in place. I then grabbed the accelerator and gave the CA a couple of squirts. When this cured I added another tack spot. A double check of the shaft indicated no movement. This was repeated for the other side. With the hull upside down, I applied 30 minute epoxy to the forward opening where the box exited the hull. This ran through, as I wanted it to do, and then I put a loose micro-balloon mixture over that. As that oozed down, I added more until the curing process stopped it. The hull was placed right side up and the process repeated.

I put the motor and motor mount in place to check the line up. It's not good. The coupler is offset a lot. It's the Dumas dog bone universal. Is this too much? I can reduce it a little by increasing the angle of the motor mount. I can also reduce it by leaving about an inch of the shaft unsupported. I can also reduce it by using a longer stuffing box. Any comment? Dan.