cutlass bearing and play??

[Mark Nooney]

When I was on the hard the mechanic looked at the shaft and determined that the play in the cutlass bearing wasn't an issue this year.

Symptoms: While sailing, the prop is turning - I am noticing a vibration at
6 knots but when we are slower not so much.

Should there be a vibration at all?
Is there an easy way to get the shaft out without removing the strut?
Has anyone drilled a hole in the rudder to move the shaft through?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Mark

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

You would need to remove and replace the strut bearing ( not the strut itself) if that is the cause which seems likely given the mechanic's subjective statement. Obviously, vibration could have other causes as well.

I never heard of anyone drilling a hole in the rudder. Notwithstanding the internal damage which could result from drilling into the internal webbing, it is easier to simply remove the rudder.

 

[Don Crowther]

Mark
I know it's not good practice but have you engaged the transmission while sailing to see if the vibration stops? If it does stop then yes it's probably the cutless bearing. Lots of how to's on this site.
Having changed a bearing on my 31. You can go one of 2 ways. Either pulling the rudder or pushing out the old one. It's up to you which way you do it. I pushed mine out with a home-made puller. You will have to remove the prop, I found this much easier than trying to undo the shaft from the transmission and undoing the strut and then pulling the shaft out. Hope this helps