I had the same issue
I owns a 2003 Catalina 36 Mk. II. Earlier this year when I went to inspect the boat during a particularly cold day, I found a small amount of movement within the prop shaft at the cutlass bearing. At first, like you, I was concerned about wear on the bearing and whether it needed to be replaced, a very time consuming and potentially expensesive proposition. When I went back recently to the boat (on a warmer day, but still cold here in New England) I found the movement to be MUCH less pronounced. It was then that I recalled that the shaft is stainless (ha ha) steel and the bearing is made of brass and that the expansion and contraction rates for these metals is different. I think that unless the bearing on your boat is fairly old (say 7-10 years), it may be due to the same thermal issues and that there is nothing to worry about as a result. Food for thought!Best regards!Rick Gottliebs/v Wind Angel#2115