Cutlas Bearing

[Howard]

i HAVE A h=27 AND 2YEARS AGO i REPLCED HE CUTLASS EARING AND SHAFT 2 YEARS AGO. It was ok when I put it back together (maybe a little tight.. but I thought that it needed to be worked in).Now the prop is hard to had turn. I unbolted it from the engine flange... no change. I opened the packing nut, removed all the packing (DON'T WORRY I'M NOT IN THE WATER RIGHT NO)... no change. There is no visable damage to the strut and didn't hit anything or go aground in the last 2 years. I pulled the shaft back a few inches and there is no scoring on the shaft. ANY IDEAS OUT THERE ????

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Tight set screws ? Bent strut

My first guess would have been that the set screws are too tight, but you have been using the boat for 2 years without any problem, so, so much for that. If you just noticed this now that the boat is out of the water, you should take a closer look at the strut itself and the shaft. Sometimes marinas are not careful and the rear sling is not brought far enough forward to clear the shaft. In that case, the whole weight of the rear section rest on the shaft, or the strut. No visible damage, but enough to bend the strut or shaft slightly, causing severe misalignment.Try pulling the shaft back as far as it will go and turn it by hand. Loosen the set screws, put a dab of liquid dishwashing soap on the shaft, and push it back while turning until it hits the flange. If it turns freely but gets to a point where it stops, chances are you shaft is bent or the strut is misaligned.Good Luck

 

[Anthony Bavuso]

Boat Flexes a little while on land

I am not even close to an expert on this subject, but I have heard some applicable information. I have been told that when the boat is pulled out of the water and placed on stands that it flexes a little from it's in water configuration. So what you may be seeing is the hull has flexed a little and tightned the clearances in your bearing. I have been told that you really need to check the strut and cutlass bearing when the boat has been in the water for a while and allowed to settle.

 

[Doug]

water is the lube!

Remember to have someone dump water down the shaft while you are turning prop/shaft. Dry rubber on stainless is not easy to turn. The bearing's rubber sleeve is in the water during normal operation and water is the lubricant that allows for easy turns. Keep water running in and around.Good luck.Doug

 

[Jim McCue]

Check out Sail Magazine 4/01 issue- commissioning

Since your're on the ground, see how straight your shaft set up is by borrowing the string method from Shaft bracket to engine connect. check out page 36. Also, in that article I could help but immediately notice that the picture (Page 37)of the newly installed Yanmar 3GM is upside down !!! That or he took the picture when the boat was 180.Jim McCue