Vibration Diagnostic Experts

We had a vibration issue for a while on our boat, and it took a few different guys to figure it out, but ultimately it was very dilligently studied and resolved by someone... i dont have the name but hit me up if you have the time in a few days. my captain is currently crossing back from europe so i'll e-mail him and let you know when he responds... may be a couple of days...

A good hull surveyor? I like Malcolm Elliot with Florida Nautical Surveyors.

Hi,

How about the very best in the business.?

Joe Smullin

Joe Smullin

Call Rich at Advanced Mechanical Advanced Mechanical Enterprises - Solutions to Optimize Performance

Have used them many times and will in the future.

+1 Joe Smullin.

Closer to you is Ocean Alloys/Sea Worthy Services, cantact Randy Downs at ypimarine.com. They specialize in aluminum hulls and driveline alignment and have some of the most accurate custom built laser alignment tools I've seen.

Diagnose is the key word. Assuming the source of vibration is shaft alignment is not a diagnosis, it is like throwing parts at the problem.

The whole purpose of vibration analysis is to determine where the vibration originates and then deal with the real cause.

I agree- call OA/SWS in North Palm Beach.


Posted earlier was a "Best in the business" but that is a subjective term. Best in price? Best in estimates? Best in final quality? Best in on time completion?

Hi,

I would tend to agree with that, if there is a vibration issue one can fairly safely assume the vessel is in the water and running, determining the source of the vibration is the key to finding the cure.

Hi,

I have never had an issue with price, his prices have been a day rate plus expenses or an hourly rate for things done from his office ( Sound and Vibration specifications). The final quality of the results after his assessments and recommended remedial actions has always been very good, the work I have done with him is usually dependant upon the shipyards having the time available for him.

He has never let me or a client of mine down by not showing up when and where requested .

I have persona experience with him on large steel vessels but know he covers the whole range of construction materials.

He is also the preferred provider of these services for Patton Marine.

I didn't mean to imply that shaft alignment was the cause of the vibration, certainly not without extensive sea trials with sound level meters. There are indeed many other suspects to look at that can induce unwanted noise/vibration and can easily be masked or disguised by harmonic resonance especially in an aluminum hull whose thin single skin structure transmits that noise quite well. Mounts, engine beds, engine misfiring, alignment, bent shafts, uneven blade thickness on wheels, the list is huge and has to be gone through piece by piece to isolate the offender(s) and correct.

If the guy you hire for vibration analysis shows up with sound level meters, and no other equipment, send him packing.

As far as "the best" goes, I think there is only one category, and that is best in final quality. Unless there is a gross vibration that is tearing the boat apart, the idea of spending money, and subsequently blood, sweat, and tears, to make things better is a waste if what you do hasn't improved the quality of life aboard.

Measurement

Vibration is a funny funny thing. I was on a '40 Cabo that the owner had engine sea-strainers added and the vibration they transmitted through the boat was gigantic. Turns out the hoses from the engine to stringer mounted sea-strainer that they transmitted all of the engine vibration right through the entire boat. They then re-routed longer hoses to the engine and it went back to normal. But not being there for the before and after, I could see someone chasing it for a long time.