Bent strut ... - Help!

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Two2Sea

When we had our Cat30 hauled for survey we discovered the strut holding the shaft is bent at the hull joint. We have our suspicions this was done during the haulout---irregardless now. Is the strut glassed in or bolted on. Would you advise that it be heated and attempted to straighten or replaced? Thanks in advance.
 
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Scott R.

Glassed and Bolted

I own a 1985 and needed to tighten my strut when I first purchased. ON my year, the strut was both glassed (inside and outside) and bolted (4 thru bolts). The yard wanted $1100 just to tighten (the fuel tankd needs to be emptied and removed). I did it myself in about 10 hours. For the specifics, Customer service at Catalina faxed me a drawing of the strut installation. They were very helpful. The job was not very difficult. Also, it appears that some years they did not glass over the bolts on the interior. Chipping away the resin around the interior end of the bolts was the most time consuming. If you can see under the fuel tank with a mirror you will either see the end of the bolts or a "mound" of fiberglass. Hope this helps.
 
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Kevin L. Woody

Strut

Hello: Sorry to hear of the strut problem. I would not consider straightening the strut while the unit is attached to the hull. I myself, having gone through something similar, removed my strut and had it repaired and a local bronze welding shop. The removal of the strut should involve the loosening bolts and the removal of glass. I would keep in mind that it will be very important that the unit be repaired in a manner, which places it back in the exact position of which it was removed. It will also be very important that you re-align the engine back to the shaft when the boat is placed back in the water. You are almost guaranteed that the alignment will be altered. If the strut is bent you my find the shaft is also bent. You may find that the coupling has also suffered damage as a result of possibly lifting the boat by the shaft or strut. If you find the strut is not fixable for whatever the reason let me know and I will get you in touch with a strut manufacture. Good luck. Sincerely, Kevin L. Woody
 
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