Hunter 40.5 Bronze strut snapped!

[redunculous]

So today I pulled out of my marina

I get around 800 yards up the intercoastal and suddenly get a huge vibration through the wheel.

I shut down, jump overboard and take a quick look at the prop

The strut holding the cutlass bearing has snapped pretty much in half, it was hanging upside down from the prop shaft.

First off, does anyone know how this could have happened? I have the boat dived regularly and bottom cleaned and nothing out of the ordinary has ever come up. The cutlass bearing is checked regularly and the boat has been smooth.

Second - where on EARTH can I get one of those struts??

Thanks in advance - a soon to be broke redunculous!

 

[Rick D]

I would look first on this site for a replacement and send them a message if it isn't listed.

Most likely it was electrolysis. Since you don't know what the condition of the marina(s) where your boat was previously kept or how well the zincs were maintained, you are probably best to replace it and start fresh IMHO.

I did bend mine wrapping a fouled mooring line once though.

 

[redunculous]

Thanks Rick

I'm worried my prop shaft has got bent now

Will see what happens when I get it hauled out

The problem I have is the haulout yards near me deal mostly in power boats - can be difficult to find someone who is competent with sailboats.

 

[Rick D]

The issue is the same, power or sail. No problem as long as they know how to support the hull which you can ascertain by telephone or e-mail.

BTW, I have to replace my shaft next haul because of electrolysis. Here is the company who originally made yours and mine:

http://www.generalpropeller.com/inboard-shafts-and-couplings

 

[redunculous]

Rick

Big thanks

I take it I just drop them a line mentioning my boat model / year?

 

[Rick D]

Rick

Big thanks

I take it I just drop them a line mentioning my boat model / year?

Worked for me and they sent me a very comforting note about how they ship them with full support for the shaft.

 

[redunculous]

Dropping them an email now

Hopefully its not going to break the bank

Thanks again Rick!

 

[Phil Herring]

The strut is here and can ship within one or two working days:

http://shop.hunterowners.com/hp/part.php?m=40.5&c=12&p=52249

The shaft is easy if you need one, just give us a call.

 

[redunculous]

Phil

Thank you for the response! Will give you guys a call as soon as the boat is out of the water and I can check the shaft

Do you guys have the cutlass bearing as well?

What is the quickest shipping available?

 

[Phil Herring]

The bearing is included with the strut, which can ship within 24 hours (assuming it's in stock, which they are about 95% of the time, and they don't ship Friday). The strut can be shipped overnight, but that's expensive.

The shaft takes a 2-3 days, as they mount the coupler to it prior to shipment.

 

[artboas]

Strut

So today I pulled out of my marina

I get around 800 yards up the intercoastal and suddenly get a huge vibration through the wheel.

I shut down, jump overboard and take a quick look at the prop

The strut holding the cutlass bearing has snapped pretty much in half, it was hanging upside down from the prop shaft.

First off, does anyone know how this could have happened? I have the boat dived regularly and bottom cleaned and nothing out of the ordinary has ever come up. The cutlass bearing is checked regularly and the boat has been smooth.

Second - where on EARTH can I get one of those struts??

Thanks in advance - a soon to be broke redunculous!

The strut probably came from Buck Algonquin.
They, more or less, supply everybody.
Contact them and see if they have records for the 40.5
Yes, your shaft is bent. Even if its a tiny bit, it needs to be replaced

 

[fstbttms]

...does anyone know how this could have happened?

Was the strut drilled to accept a zinc?

 

[redunculous]

Was the strut drilled to accept a zinc?

No not drilled to accept a zinc

I take it there is no issues with me doing this to the new one?

No strut in stock, looks like I will be back in Iraq before I can get one delivered so this will be a nice homecoming project...

 

[Rick D]

Mine is: Fastbottoms??

No not drilled to accept a zinc

I take it there is no issues with me doing this to the new one?

No strut in stock, looks like I will be back in Iraq before I can get one delivered so this will be a nice homecoming project...

FYI, mine is drilled and has a zinc. Only needs replacement every couple of years vs. the shaft zinc which is good for about 6 months. Fastbottoms: do you see this as a good thing or not?

 

[fstbttms]

My philosophy is; if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Unless there is a compelling reason to add a zinc to the strut, don't. The only broken struts I have ever seen broke where they were drilled. Struts are usually electrically isolated and therefore at low risk of corrosion, which is why their zincs last as long as they do. I suppose if your zinc does eventually deplete, that means its doing something, but in reality, you'd probably be fine without it.

 

[CoolChange91-42passage]

I'm not an expert but I am learning and paying attention. I was an electrician for most of my life and most if not all I learned has been transposable to the marine environment. The rules are the same, just different ways to accommodate them. I have done everything on my boat that's been done, cause I like doing it myself so when I am away from port, I can fix it myself. Anyway, my boat was bonded to the strut by the factory I think because wire is all the same. If your strut is bonded, it absolutely needs a zinc. Even if not bonded, it is better to have extra bleed capability on the drive shaft. The reason I know this is that when I first got my boat, the zincs were gone and when they tried to grind and paint the prop, there was nothing left, electrolysis made it so thin they couldn't save it. So better to have extra zincs ahead of the prop than replace the prop, it was expensive. Anyway you can't isolate the engine completely so it's the best way to go to prevent weakening the strut to the point it could snap at some very inopportune time. This is just my opinion from my observations and hands on experience coupled with my electrical background.