411 propeller shaft change

[tsailed]

To change the propeller shaft I have figured out that the rudder has to be moved.
Question is: How far down does the rudder have to be dropped? Will the rudder cant over enough to get the shaft out once it is dropped below its rudder bearings, or does the rudder need to be removed completely?

Tom Greer , 2000 Beneteau 411, shoal draft , furling main, Chesapeake Bay

 

[njlarry]

Hi Tom,
Don't know the answer, but the 411 is on my bucket list. Surprised no one here has answered yet. Have you gotten any advice on other forums? Your plan should work. Would it be easier to just lift the engine and pull the shaft underneath it?

 

[tsailed]

My rudder bearings need some attention so was planning to drop it down to clean them up. Odd thing is they are too tight rather than worn.
The CS forum was much more helpful than this on seems to be.
I think moving the engine would be much more work. Did that once on the CS.
I thought having a boat that the manufacture is still in business would be a plus. Customer support is just about non-existent. Beneteau refers you to their dealers and the dealers refer you to Beneteau.

 

[tsailed]

Sunday afternoon was joyful for me since I did manage to drop the rudder enough to get the propeller shaft past it. It had to come down about a foot. There was a rubber sleeve around the shaft inside the tunnel that if removed first would have made shaft extraction easier.
The rudder bearings turned out to be in great shape. The bind I was experiencing when heeled over was being caused by the steering quadrant rubbing on the port side rudder stop and rubbing the bottom side of the floor on the starboard side of the quadrant. Looks like a little grinding on the rudder stop and shimming the floor up a bit will alleviate the problem.
If anyone is interested in pictures, I have them.

 

[njlarry]

Congratulations! Now you have clearance for the prop shaft. Doesn't sound like there is an easy way to remove that rubber sleave while the rudder shaft is still in place. All in all, certainly easier than digging a hole or lifting the engine. Would love to see the pictures.

 

[Gunni]

I have not pulled the shaft, but when I looked at it the job appeared to require prop removal, swing the rudder hard to one side, and the shaft came past the leading edge. Chris (Service) at AYS should have your answer.

 

[DM CAPTAIN]

i do recommend to remove the rudder completely, it is a simple task ,