alignment

Bobby, What Eric is referring to is the shaft coupling is cast iron so you need to be carefull when pulling it off. I have this feeling that he has broken at least one in his career!!! They machine like ductile or malleable so they aren't as brittle as a gray iron casting but you still need to take it easy.
I hope your girlfriend being in town doesn't hold up work on the boat too much! Hand her a wrench. It's a good test to see if the two of you are compatible. If she doesn't know which end of the wrench to use, that may even be for the better - during any rough times, you can hide out in the garage!

I caught it eric. Girls before boats, unless you are The Goose or quinner.

Bobby, Yeh, you have better start looking for a new strut. Do a internet search and look for Buck Algonquin. I'll see if I get get back with a link. Start getting some measurements and the shaft angle.

buck algonquin marine

your boat took a good lick, i hate to say this but would bet money your shaft is tweeked, make sure the PO did a good job on the hull repair

if you dont have access to v-blocks and indicators, initially roll the shaft on the flat ground, if its out even a little you will see this...but truly the correct way is as mentioned by Pete

if its bent dont try to straighten, it will cause you problems down the road, its easy to pick up a bend on the floor if bent,and at that point i just order new and after rolling it there is no point to put on v-blocks. but if its your first time and your a shaft virgin, put it on the v's

I know she put MM's tranny back in