Testing Engine on the hard

[Roc]

Ron,
The stress I'm talking about is the bend that can happen because the hull is "warped" by not being in water, but on jack stands.  The alignment with the skeg is off, thus causing the shaft to bend.  I don't believe the bend would be so great that it would not allow you to spin the shaft by hand, but there would be a consistent pressure exerted on the shaft, which might put a permenent bend in the shaft.

[mainesail]

On our 36 MKI I only noted .004" - .005" alignment difference between in water, rig tuned, to out of water on jack stands no rig..... On our current boat there is a .000" - .001" difference. Depends on boat and where the stands and blocks are. If the shaft turns by hand, with no spot harder than another, then there is little to no issue.

That said do not put it in gear on the hard. The cutlass is water lubed and you will ruin it or chop up your kids or wife who are helping you work on the boat...