Broken Strut

Stephen Trapani · Nov 28, 2011

Let's get a few struts everyone!

I'm looking for one also. If it has to be fabricated maybe we can go in on it together because the cost is all in making the mold. Then they could whip off a few pretty cheap. Maybe we could get a few more guys who want one and decrease our cost even more!

I've heard of adjustable struts. Bottom line: there is no easy answer we know of.

Ed Schenck · Nov 29, 2011

This subject comes up a lot. Our Dahmer struts are getting old( http://www.dahmermarine.com/Struts.htm ). Strange that they have been out of business so long and their website remains. I have not heard that anyone successfully repaired a broken one. This is the other possible source of a strut, Southeastern Foundry in NC: http://www.macraesbluebook.com/search/company.cfm?company=330467

Stephen Trapani · Nov 29, 2011

Ed Schenck said:
This subject comes up a lot. Our Dahmer struts are getting old( http://www.dahmermarine.com/Struts.htm ). Strange that they have been out of business so long and their website remains. I have not heard that anyone successfully repaired a broken one. This is the other possible source of a strut, Southeastern Foundry in NC: http://www.macraesbluebook.com/search/company.cfm?company=330467

BTW, I'm pretty confident that our H-33 strut is part number 2005 (old part number H-33) near the bottom of the Dahmer page. Don't know about the H-30. If it is the same, a foundry can use that info to make another one.

Allan12210 · Nov 29, 2011

It would be interesting to know why the old one snapped off. Did it de-zincify and snap under a load? Perhaps a zinc on the next one will help. A picture would be informative to a number of us when you can. If it isn't too distorted maybe one of the foundries that were listed in the other posts could make a mold from it.

Stephen Trapani · Nov 29, 2011

If it helps, my strut is still in one piece and is off the boat. It's got pink, pocks, and looks iffy, but it still rings when you hit it with a wrench. Could mail it to a fabricator if that saves money.

Ed Schenck · Nov 29, 2011

You guys with the H30, isn't that the strut with the 'Y' at the top? There was only ever one of those on the Dahmer site. Could that be the right one for dimensions?

Allan12210 · Nov 29, 2011

Some good solutions for you. Don't be hard on yourself. The part was old. When you get a new one make sure it is well aligned an mount a pancake zinc to it to reduce galvanic activity. One way to save money....Have you ever heard of Midnite Auto Supply? Well it is very close to Midnite Boat Supply. I have checked the owners directory and there are 70 Hunter 30s in Va. But you didn't hear it from me.

ggrizzard · Nov 29, 2011

Another zinc option

I think a split, "egg" zinc will fit on the shaft as well. No drilling required.

sandpiper10471 · Nov 30, 2011

Before I purchased my current H37C, apparently the PO had broken the strut wrapping the dinghy painter. A local guy (Gibralter, Mi) welded it. So yes, a bronze strut can be welded. Sure would be cool though if we could find a source of originals as keeping these things true when repairing is a nightmare.

Allan12210 · Nov 30, 2011

If it is metallurgicaly different now due to zinc depletion, I would not consider brazing or welding the old one back together. Best to get a new one wiith the proper alloy.

Stephen Trapani · Nov 30, 2011

Is it of any value putting a zinc on the strut if there is a zinc 18" away on the shaft?

Nelsonhow · Nov 30, 2011

Surely someone can find out what happened to the Dahmer molds (masters?) if the are out of business? Any one know if they were incorporated an in what state?

Allan12210 · Nov 30, 2011

"Is it of any value putting a zinc on the strut if there is a zinc 18" away on the shaft? "

You mean the one isolated from the strut by the rubber cutlass bearing?

struell · Dec 11, 2011

Replacement strut

tomgrigsby said:
Well the prop strut on my 79 H30 broke this weekend (fortunately while I was still at the dock). The diver says it sheared off at the hull. It is time to haul the boat for bottom paint (actually long overdue), so at least that will probably be a 2fer. It will have to wait a few months due to the usual financial concerns. Can replacement struts be found or my broken one repaired? Any tips, recommendations, sympathy, or dope slaps will be very much appreciated.

Mine also broke this summer on our 1981 H30. It is a Y shape bronze casting with the cutless on the bottom of the Y. I called Hunter and they said they were made by Dahmer Marine and gave me a phone number. I looked at it closer and found Dahmer Marine on the casting under the layers of paint. But no one answered even though they have a website and showed the strut I wanted. http://www.dahmermarine.com/Struts.htm part No 2010.

I eventually found out that Dahmer was apparently sold and the parts are now owned by Millers Island Propeller, as of quite recently. http://millersislandprop.com/site/news_detail/dahmer_marine_hardware/
I just ordered a replacement from Millers for $425 (ouch) and am awaiting delivery.

I considered having one made up out of stainless steel and am still not sure whether that would have been more expensive or not. This seemed more likely to fit exactly.

struell

Jim Legere · Dec 11, 2011

struell said:
...I eventually found out that Dahmer was apparently sold and the parts are now owned by Millers Island Propeller, as of quite recently. http://millersislandprop.com/site/news_detail/dahmer_marine_hardware/
struell

Thanks for the update - that is good news for all of us with Dahmer struts.