loosing a shaft

[Jim]

I was told to put a donout shaped zinc on my prop shaft between the coupler and the stuffing box to prevent the shaft from existing the boat, if the set screws came loose or the shaft breaks. Good idea or not?

 

[Tom]

Shaft loss

Use a hose clamp. Does the same job lighter and cheaper. Stainless steel of course! Put about an inch out from the packing nut and never leave home without it.

 

[Paul Akers]

My thoughts

Will the hose clamp be light enough so that it won't affect the balance under high rotation? Also, (God forbid that it happens) I think the hose clamp could tear up the outer stuffing box should the shaft separate while in reverse.It doesn't only have to be a donut, it can be a bullet - whichever is cheaper.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

With Paul

I agree that the offset weight of the hose clamp could be a vibration issue. I know people who've done it with decent sucess and others who changed back to zincs. As far as the zinc itself, donut or bullet will be fine. The idea is to have the mass balanced around the shaft. Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[kevin]

either or

Hello Jim,Zincs and hose clamps have always been suggested. I would think that there is little likelihood that the additional mass of the zinc in rotation would cause very much rotational vibration. Your stuffing box, though not designed as such, offers a small amount of support, which should take care of the potential problem. Side note a hose clamp help a boat that I was on from loosing a shaft. Coupling was never set to the shaft thus in reverse the shaft moved aft until the hose clamp stopped it. We went down to check oil the next day and we witnessed the hose clamp was hard up to the shaft seal and the bellows were collapsed. Ooops. Inserted the shaft back into position tightened the shaft again and we were on our way. We motored almost 8 hours that day not knowing. For me it worked. Kevin