H37-Survey Completed-Strut problem

[Marko]

Completed the sea trial and survey on the 1988 H37 that I have been considering. The haulout revealed that there has been some stray current that has quickly eaten the zincs and affected the strut and the prop. While everything "looks" normal to me, the surveyor and the boat yard agreed that the metal in both had been seriously deteriorated to the point that the strut could break. When scraped, the metal has an orange color rather than bronze; when the prop is tapped with a hammer, it has no ring, it is a thud. (Not sure how well I am explaining this, since I don't yet have the written survey to refer to.)

The yard has proposed building a new stut from stainless and has advised me to replace the 3 bladed prop. The survey will indicate that this is a must do. I am curious to know if anyone is familiar with this type of issue? Cost of repair would be $2500 not including the prop. Would I be better off trying to find a replacement strut or have a stainless one built? Any likelihood of finding a used replacement prop?

 

[Honeyman]

Re: H37-Survey Completed-Stut problem

Hmmm, my 1994 35.5 "passed" a survey with very similar issues and the day we tried to move it 90+ nautical miles we had a blade break off the two blade prop under a pretty serious load, causing so much imbalance that it caused the strut to break off and bent the shaft as well. Lucky the stuffing box held or we'd have sunk the boat! So, that being said, I would trust their judgement and have owner replace those parts or discount the price to allow for repair.

Anyway, I believe in my case, the yard contacted Hunter to get a strut, had a new shaft made, sold me a new 3 blade prop, and sold me a PSS dripless stuffing box all installed and aligned for under $2500. This was a yard in the Panhandle of Florida known for being straight shooters. Thankfully my insurance had been in force for 2-3 weeks and they paid all but my $500 deductable.

I'd check with Hunter Corp. parts dept. 1-800-771-5556 ext.3015 (I think this is correct!) and see if they can supply strut. If your shaft is OK, your're down to needing a prop which I would shop around for, making sure to confirm it has correct diameter and pitch. Best of luck.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Re: H37-Survey Completed-Stut problem

Marko
I second Honeyman's advice and suggest you consider this an opportunity to consider the additional cost of a folding or feathering prop if you are interested in (sailing) speed.
Also, unless something has changed, you should investigate the cause(s) of the stray current problem if the surveyor has not already found it before this gets to be a recurring issue. There is a lot of info available here in the archives, should you need it, on stray current corrosion, how to identify it's causes and how to cure existing problems.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Re: H37-Survey Completed-Stut problem

Pretty sure the strut is from Dahmer Marine: http://www.dahmermarine.com/Struts.htm

Do you plan to install another fixed 3-blade prop? What diameter and pitch are you looking for?

 

[kloudie1]

Re: H37-Survey Completed-Stut problem

Just went through this same thing.. Prop slung a blade, broke strut .. bent shaft..Electrolysis damage on 20 year old parts… I was in Pensacola at the time .. Went to Bahia Mar marina and Flat Island Marine, and Accu-Prop; Great folks to work with. They let us do the work ourselves.. New Michigan Wheel prop was around $500 and the strut was $220 from Hunter’s OEM, Southeastern Foundries in North Carolina.. This for the 1985 34, not sure if Hunter used the same for the 37. Straightened shaft at a local machine shop for $50.. The yard told me that a new stainless strut could be fabricated locally for around $600, so the strut from the foundry was a deal. It included a new Cutless bearing. While we waited the 4 days for parts, we did a bottom job too.. Nice to not have to go to work and just call and say “We’ll be in Pensacola another week.” Bought sanders and grinders and electric cords at the cheap tool store and came out considerably cheaper than having the yard do it. Stayed with friends who had a spare car for us to use.. Good luck with your job, Marko

 

[Marko]

Update

Thanks for all of the information.
I've been doing research, but my wife is now having 2nd thoughts because of the problems that I described and other more minor ones that have shown up in the survey, which was very thorough. He did locate a couple of areas that are likely the cause of stray current as well and suggesting that the marina be informed in the event that it is coming from another boat. I appreciate the fact that the surveyor identified the problem with the strut; your story is chilling Honeyman!

I called Hunter and they indicated that the strut came from Southern Foundries. They have the part for about $150. I am a little leery since Hunter gave me the wrong information for the ports. I would hate to do have the wrong part and do another haul out. I am impressed that you did this yourself kloudie1. When I called the yard they indicated that they would want $1850 to do the installation. They said that the most complex areas were alignment and fairing the new srut to the hull. The fuel tank, poly, has to be shifted to get to the strut bolts, but that doesn't look too difficult.

She will also need bottom paint and the electrolysis affected some of the surface of the keel, which is lead. I was told that it had to be ground and have a protective coat put on before bottom painted. Total coast for the bottom paint and keel: $2000.

Ed, I called Hunter and they said the boat came with a two blade prop, so the three blade has been added. (The original two blade prop is still in the boat). They suggested General Propeller, who said that I could use a 17-8 or a 16-9 3 blade. I think that the shaft size is 1". I like the idea of a feathering prop, but its way out of my budget right now.

First job would be a metal cracked exhaust u-fitting; the surveyor said the motor should not even be run before it is fixed. Otherwise the motor seems to be in good condition; just under 1000 hrs.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Re: H37-Survey Completed-Stut problem

Although a lot of this work can be done with very limited experience and a bit of guidance, are you really sure you want to undertake this unless it is a super deal?
There are SO MANY used boats out there for sale now which are in good to excellent condition that I'd be hard-pressed to get involved with this one, particularly as I infer from your comments there are possibly other yet unidentified issues with which you will have to deal. The only way I'd pursue buying this is if the current owner was willing to include all known repair costs into the deal and then plan on doing as much of the work as I could manage. And then only after a satisfactory sea trial to ensure the exhaust elbow isn't the only engine problem.

 

[Previous Owner]

Electrolysis

Marko

Our 37 had some very minor electrolysis damage on the tips of the blades when we bought it and when we sold it 5 years later nothing had changed.

I agree with Don that there should be plenty of other Legends around.

Purchase in haste, repent at leisure!

 

[Marko]

Decision

Thank you for those who posted information; it was very helpful. We decided not to buy the boat because of the problems that I described here and a few others that would need to be addressed. The owner was quite fair in offering to offset some of the costs, but my wife lost confidence in the boat: end of deal...
We'll keep looking.