Prop - Rudder Clearance Help
So after a little ingenuity with a gear puller, c-clamp, heat gun and a couple beers I convinced my stock prop to come loose and installed the new Acme 1847. Trailer clearance looks fine with at least an inch or more to spare. I'm hoping that's enough...
http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...optrailer1.jpg
The real question or thing that's bugging me now is that the clearance between the tip of the prop and the rudder when it is closest is only about 3/8" or so - I didn't measure with the stock prop but I can just tell that is a lot tighter. I know I'm looking at a totally different size and pitch here coming from the stock 13.7x17.5, but honestly it's got me a little nervous. Full rudder turn side to side does not hit or come any closer. Can someone take a look at theirs and tell me what kind of room they have between the rudder after upgrading to a 14x prop. How close is too close?
http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...propclear1.jpg
I'm sure there will be no movement or flex of any kind back there - uh, or would there be...
Other interesting/concerning thing I discovered is a bow in the rudder. Never noticed it before until today with the prop off. I've never felt it at all and the boat doesn't steer or pull to a side at all. Guess I'll leave it for now.
http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...sV/rudder2.jpg
http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...sV/rudder1.jpg