Hunter 30 Strut attachment

[duncanew]

I hauled out my 1980 30' Hunter for a bottom job yesterday and found that my prop strut was a bit loose. There are 3 bolts or screws on each side of the strut (6 total), can someone tell me are these bolts or screws?

If these are bolts how do I get to the backing nuts?

thanks,
Will

 

[John T1594]

Strut bolts

The wooden bulkhead at the aft end of the quarter berth can be removed easily if you take out the few screws holding it in place around the periphery. You can then stick your head and arms into the space amidships to see and work on both the strut bolts and the skeg bolts. Of course, remove the mattress cushion first.

 

[Nelsonhow]

They are bolts.

There should be plywood backing plates on eash side forward of the rudder post. On my 1983 H-30 you can see the area through the access panel in the stern of the port quarter birth. Water tends to collect in this area and does not seem to drain out in to the bilge. I can just get my arm into the area to empty it out with a sponge at the end of each season. (I try to prevent any freezing water in there to prevent delamination of the backing plate). If your bolts are loose I bet your backing plates are a little wonky. It the backing plates look OK you can tighten them up. I think you can remove the partition between the area and the quarterbirth by removing the top and bottom screws on the panel. If you coose to replace the bolts remember to but a dap of sealent in the bolt howe fitst. Removing the partition panel should get you good access to work in the area.

 

[ggrizzard]

Are you sure the strut is loose? The cutlass bearing in the strut wears out over time and allows the shaft to move.