raw water pump catching on engine cover

[Jeffels]

I have been having problems with my raw water pump on my 2004 i22Rider. Having replaced the impeller a number of times with no problem I now find that the impeller plate is rubbing against my engine cover. The engine cover comes down right in front of the ski post so there is no way to give extra clearance. It jiggles the brass screws loose and breaks them off..which is kind of annoying. I have made sure that the water pump is secured to the fly wheel properly, but I can't figure out why the engine cover is suddenly an issue. It's worn a nice hole into the fibreglass! Has anyone else had this type of problem? Thanks.!

[boatwakes]

Can you post a pic of the problem area as well as the engine mounts, trans mounts and the gap between the prop and the strut under the boat. I'll explain later.

[Jeffels]

Thanks Boatwakes, sounds like you are thinking that the whole motor has shifted forward..I will take pictures this weekend! Thanks!

[brett22i]

When I owned my 22i I left the engine hatch open to help support the boat cover instead of using the tent poles. This lead to the hinged area where the engine mounts to the floor to warp causing it to pull rearward and rub on the front of the engine.

[Jeffels]

Hi Brett. I'm guilty of that as well. How did you fix it?

[brett22i]

I sold the boat! but not for that reason.
I often thought that I would unbolt the cover from the boat and hang it from the garage ceiling to reverse the effect? I got lazy each winter and never tried it.
You could try to simply move the hinge holes in the boat floor forward? I think the previous owner did this before I owned the boat so I couldnt use this option as it was as far forward as it would go.
I also thought of taking household cutting board plastic covered in carpet to place in between the cover and the hinge. Depending on how much space you need to get the cover forward, you could simply double stack the material. Its much cheaper than Starboard but its limited on the thickness options. West Marine carries Starboard but its obnoxious what it cost.