Just found out my strut is severely compromised.

[hollyclouse]

So wise Catalina 27 owners...in restoring her, I have discovered that the strut shows a lot of electrolysis and cracks...in short it needs to be replaced. Having read up on it on the Catalina Direct Website it appears to be a daunting task. I have 2 questions:
New is almost 1,000.00 with shipping. Is it worth it to go to a salvage yard and look for a slightly used one?
Has anyone here done the replacement? Can you share with me tips and tricks you learned?
Thanks!

 

[DeniseO30]

Do you mean the propeller shaft strut? Measure measure measure determine the angle and look on sites like Buck Algonquin for off the shelf struts. if I'm not mistaken Catalina glassed over the mount, you should be able to see the bolts inside basically you have to dig it out

 

[hollyclouse]

Thanks Denise for your response. It's a conundrum for sure. Not looking forward to it and what my other options are...

 

[dmax]

You can likely find a used one in decent shape for significantly less than a boat buck, here's a place that has a bunch for much less (though no Cat 27 struts at the moment): Shafts and Struts - Mass Marine Parts

Here's a thread on strut replacement that is worth checking out: 34/35 Prop Shaft Strut?

 

[RitSim]

Did this on a C30. Found out that the original installation did not conform to the drawing. Chipped out the "stuff" around the strut but left the material directly under the strut so as to preserve the strut elevation.. Still had difficulty getting the strut correctly aligned. Make sure you spin the shaft before starting to get a reference point. Then make sure you spin the shaft when you mount the new strut to assure that you have the strut in the correct "twist" orientation. Catalina design drawing in link below

https://www.catalinadirect.com/images/Prop%20Strut%20Installation%20Instructions.pdf?CFID=5222861&CFTOKEN=cf8bb55b337cadb2-97BFCA5D-DA5F-2836-7DC300479DADC6FD

 

[markwbird]

Viagra.

 

[hollyclouse]

Hi Everyone
Thanks so much for your feedback. It's been a tremendous help. How much of the things in the engine compartment do I have to remove in order to get to where the strut is located? Thinking fuel lines, muffler....etc. In a 27T with a Yanmar 2 gm20 it's a bit tight back there...

 

[RitSim]

On my C30 I had to remove the water heater and the fuel tank. The fuel tank was held down at 4 tabs using coarse fiberglass cloth. I easily cut the cloth at the tab edges with a vibrating tool. Not familiar with your exact setup.

 

[RoyS]

You must also keep the shaft centered in the stern tube while realigning the strut. IMHO the stern tube and shaft alignment is the primary objective. Rotate the shaft by hand as you are securing the strut as mentioned above while observing the shaft is still centered (or nearly so) in the stern tube. Shaft should rotate freely when you are through. Hard job for sure.

 

[hollyclouse]

Your two replies are valuable. I'm taking notes. Thinking this is going to be a HUGE job...AACK!

 

[DeniseO30]

It's really not that terrible a job usually the more you think about it the more monumental it becomes. You should be able to dig out from the bottom, uncover the flange drill out the old bolts if they don't come loose. It's usually quite difficult to get a propeller off the shaft, assuming that goes well, the rest shouldn't be too bad and the strut does somewhat realign itself when you put the new strut and new cutlass bearing on the shaft. it is good to take reference measurements for the shaft. Before any disassembly.

 

[RitSim]

When I did my strut it actually didn't take a lot of hours but they were spread out over many days. Dug out the strut in about an hour - since the factory help didn't take out the mold release most of the filler came right out. Some of the bolt heads were ground to fit. The interior bolt holes clearly showed leakage/rust. To minimize sanding, I covered the glass/resin with Saran Wrap. As long as you smooth out the folds it comes right off. The Wrap allows you to push some of the resin around and makes a smooth surface that minimizes sanding.

 

[buddym5586]

Holly, I had to replace the strut on my Catalina 42. Daunting but doable. I paid $1400 for a new strut and the bracket that came with it. I didn't have to grind out the bracket fortunately. Their should be the bracket inside the boat with bolts. Not familiar with your size boat. I also had a max prop which came off easily. Grind the mini keel down to the hull, remove the bolts and it should come out. Replace the strut, then reglass the keel. Good luck,
Buddy

 

[goblin]

If it's not a museum class restoration an outboard on a bracket will be far more practical & far less trouble.

 

[jviss]

If it's not a museum class restoration an outboard on a bracket will be far more practical & far less trouble.

That is the most ridiculous comment I've read here this week. Thank you!