I've had my '83 Hunter 31 for 6 months, so it was about time to do something stupid. A few weeks ago I backed up over a dock line. The line wrapped around the propeller,of course, and killed the engine. I went under to unwrap the line, and everything "seemed" to be OK to my novice eye. Of course it wasn't. There didn't seem to be any abnormal vibration with the engine engaged, so I continued to use the boat for a month or so, which means I ran the engine probably another 2 hours total. A few days before Christmas, there was a loud clunking when I engaged the prop. It continued for about 5 seconds, and quit when I took it out of gear. Luckily I was very close to home, and sailed back to the slip. My propeller is broken in half. It no longer turns when the engine is engaged. The drive shaft from the engine to the stuffing box turns fine, in forward and reverse. But from the stuffing box out to the propeller, nothing. I had the boat hauled out, and the strut (where the cutless bearing is) was bent to the side by about 1.5 or 2 inches. So the entire time, I was flexing the shaft while motoring. It finally gave out. Here's the basis of my question - The guy in the yard bent the strut back in line, and says he thinks it's straight, and still strong, and will work fine, once I replace the cutless bearing and shaft. Of course, he will check the alignment to ensure it's precise, but I'm still concerned because it was bad enough to break the prop shaft. (He knows a lot more than I do about this stuff). Still, are there any other opinions? The strut seems pretty easy to remove, because the bolts holding it on are easily accessible, and not corroded. My engine and stuffing box are not damaged. Just so I have all the facts, where can I buy a strut? Anyone have a ballpark price for a new strut? (although that won't be the deciding factor) Thanks for your help . . .
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Southeastern Foundries
The company that makes (or made) struts for your vintage boat is: Southeastern Foundries Corporation 2706 Oakland Avenue Greensboro, NC 27403 tel: 336-299-7211 They should be a good second-opinion source about whether it needs to be changed. One could get a new cutlass bearing at the same time. Suggest some antisieze on the set screws to help keep them from locking up. Hope this helps. By the way, if it isn't one thing, it's something else!
The company that makes (or made) struts for your vintage boat is: Southeastern Foundries Corporation 2706 Oakland Avenue Greensboro, NC 27403 tel: 336-299-7211 They should be a good second-opinion source about whether it needs to be changed. One could get a new cutlass bearing at the same time. Suggest some antisieze on the set screws to help keep them from locking up. Hope this helps. By the way, if it isn't one thing, it's something else!
General Propeller in Bradenton FL
Stocks props and shafts for every boat ever made...at least it seems that way. Tell 'em the make/model/year of the boat...they'll know what you need. They ship within 24 hours, and take credit cards on the phone. 800-282-3181
Stocks props and shafts for every boat ever made...at least it seems that way. Tell 'em the make/model/year of the boat...they'll know what you need. They ship within 24 hours, and take credit cards on the phone. 800-282-3181
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