Replace Cutlass Bearing in Water

[pateco]

I asked this in the Hunter Midsized forum, but thought I would get more responses here.

I have searched through the site, and cannot find a good thread on anyone doing this. My 1983 Hunter 31 has a worn cutlass bearing. The boatyard wanted to replace when I had it out for the move from Baltimore to S Florida, but with the cost of the move, and new bottom paint, it was not in my budget at the time (especially not at their prices).

We have now been using the boat for 5 months, and we are not planning to haul her again until late summer. I am wondering if I can replace it myself without hauling.

I am a certified dive master, and have replaced props on larger boats in the water. I have a brownie's portable hookah system I can run dockside. The boat is docked in warm reasonably clear water where at low tide, I can stand on the sand bottom.

Can it be done? how would you plan to approach this. Any insights or experiences would be appreciated.

ps. Does anyone know how to remove a thread. I want to delete the duplicate in the Hunter Midsize forum.

 

[kito]

I am trying to think how this could be possible to remove the cutlass without removing the shaft first. If you remove the shaft then the stuffing box would have to be plugged somehow to avoid flooding. If you leave the shaft in then I would think a very special long sleeve would have to be made that slides over the shaft but has an OD slightly smaller than the cutlass OD. And then drive the cutlass forward out of the strut. The old cutlass would have to be cut in half underwater to remove. Maybe there is a tool that does this but I bet it cost more than a haul out.

 

[pateco]

I am trying to think how this could be possible to remove the cutlass without removing the shaft first. If you remove the shaft then the stuffing box would have to be plugged somehow to avoid flooding. If you leave the shaft in then I would think a very special long sleeve would have to be made that slides over the shaft but has an OD slightly smaller than the cutlass OD. And then drive the cutlass forward out of the strut. The old cutlass would have to be cut in half underwater to remove. Maybe there is a tool that does this but I bet it cost more than a haul out.

I was thinking the same Concept, But drive the cutlass rearward off the shaft.

This thread was very helpful Cutlass Bearing

Maybe something of a cross between this:

And this:

Or something like the attached PDF.

All of these were found on this site thank you.

My question is will this work underwater?

 

[kito]

I was right, there is a tool to do it The tool I made is a long 3/4" bolt with sleeves on both ends and a nut. Shaft has to be out though. No reason why the tool in the pics couldn't work under water....just so it's stainless and use a cheap Harbor Freight ratchet. Getting the correct measurements underwater for your tool may be a challenge too.

 

[Tom J]

Pateco, many yards will do a "quick haul", where the boat is left in the slings of the travel-lift, and it is set temporarily on blocks under the keel. The cutlass bearing could then be changed out. Quicker and cheaper than a complete haul-out, and a lot easier than doing it under water.

 

[uncledom]

Pateco I don't think it should take much longer underwater than on land seeing as your used to being underwater. Once you have the tools, prop and cutlass bearing pullers, it's all good.
Well at least you can save a few bucks for the haul.

 

[pateco]

How hard is it to pull and replace the prop? I was thinking it would come off easy once the nut was removed. Realize if any brute force is needed, it is near impossible to swing a mallet underwater.

 

[uncledom]

How hard is it to pull and replace the prop? I was thinking it would come off easy once the nut was removed. Realize if any brute force is needed, it is near impossible to swing a mallet underwater.

Need to have a puller for the prop also. No hammer.

 

[pateco]

Something like this work:

OEM/Jaw puller $17.99

 

[Paul Cossman]

removing cutlass bearing in water

There is a commercially produced tool available that pushes your old cutlass bearing aft and off of the shaft. It is called strut-pro, available at strut-pro.com.

It is a bit spendy, but you can purchase individual components for only the exact sizing that you need for your boat.

Good luck,
Paul

 

[uncledom]

Something like this work: OEM/Jaw puller $17.99

Depending on the prop yes. I had to buy a bearing puller plate to use with the puller you have in the picture. I have a specialty prop which has a bulbuos hub. Harbor frieght. http://t.harborfreight.com/large-bearing-separator-3979.html

Strut Pro does make a nice tool.

 

[pateco]

Would you use the

Johnson-Duramax Bearings Rubber: Cutless Brass - Shelled Sleeve Bearings Available from SBO site,

or the Johnson Duramax - Cutless Bearings Non Metallic Sleeve:.?