Drilling the prop shaft hole.

[Jimbob]

I wish I had screwed a temporary block of wood on the inside of keel before I drilled the prop shaft hole. I had tearout and the drill bit went a bit off center when it came out. Even though it will be covered up with the shaft log, it still bugs me. If I ever build a boat again I think I might just cut a slot instead of drilling a hole.
Jim

[JoeM]

I wish I had screwed a temporary block of wood on the inside of keel before I drilled the prop shaft hole. I had tearout and the drill bit went a bit off center when it came out. Even though it will be covered up with the shaft log, it still bugs me. If I ever build a boat again I think I might just cut a slot instead of drilling a hole.
Jim

Good tip. I'll have to keep that in mind when I get there. Thanks!

[kens]

What kind of bit did you use?
Drill bit? forstner? hole saw?

I them all, and found a hole saw to be the best,
Yes, you need a tear-out block, preferrably on both sides.

[Rich Coey]

Here is a link to a post that showed the hole saw I made. Easy to make, cut through fast, and it cuts straight and won't wander like a drill bit.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25179&p=151163&hilit=hole+saw#p151163

Rich