hi this is my first post here....ive just bought a hunter 27 1978 and later i notice that there is alot of slack at the prop and the somesort of hanger that holds it.is there some kind of bushing i can get or make one?dont know much about this stuff.thank you all for the info in advance.....michel
prop shaft advice
- Thread starter cherub78
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Inside the Strut supporting the shaft, is the Cutlass Bearing. It would seem that it needs to be replaced. It is not something that you cam make. They are commercially available. Check with your boat yard or boat mechanic about replacing it.
I agree with Navigator. Would like to add that the reason for the warn cutlass bearing is likely poor engine to shaft alignment. Lots on this site about that. Welcome to the club.
Cutless bearings
Remember that this bearing is properly termed a CUTLESS bearing. It is not named for the naval sword but is a trade name from many years ago that indicated the shaft would not be cut by a smaller bearing with less area on the shaft, as many machinery-type bearings had donebefore it.
They are typically named rather than dimensioned-- the Johnson Duramax model for a a 3/4" shaft and a 1-1/4" sleeve is called an Able ( http://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com/marine-bearings/naval-brass-inch-cutless-bearings). I have seen other naming conventions such as the Buck-Algonquin system in which they are all named for fish (http://www.buckalgonquin.com/pages/ProductPages/drivetrain/brass_bearing_pg1.html).
These are all commercially available from sources such as Defender.
Remember that this bearing is properly termed a CUTLESS bearing. It is not named for the naval sword but is a trade name from many years ago that indicated the shaft would not be cut by a smaller bearing with less area on the shaft, as many machinery-type bearings had donebefore it.
They are typically named rather than dimensioned-- the Johnson Duramax model for a a 3/4" shaft and a 1-1/4" sleeve is called an Able ( http://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com/marine-bearings/naval-brass-inch-cutless-bearings). I have seen other naming conventions such as the Buck-Algonquin system in which they are all named for fish (http://www.buckalgonquin.com/pages/ProductPages/drivetrain/brass_bearing_pg1.html).
These are all commercially available from sources such as Defender.
While it possible that your worn cutless may be due to an engine alignment issue, remember that the cutless bearing is a bearing, and is not supposed to last forever. It may simply be worn due to normal use, not some other underlying problem.
Usually there are a couple of screws or hex screws on each side of the strut holding the cutlass bearing in place. You must first back these out and then you might be able to remove the cultass bearing out (aft). You will have to remove the prop to remove it completely for replacement. If it doesn't come out easily, then you might have to remove the prop so you can work on it more easily. Cutlass bearings have names for each size. For instance "Albacore". Your marine dealer can get you a new one based on the dimensions of the old one, which you do not want to throw away until you find a suitable replacement.
There is a really good post over on Cruising Anarchy by a guy who made a tool for removing cutless bearings from hardware store parts:
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=120199&hl=puller&st=100
Scroll down to post #183. Obviously , he got lucky in that his prop shaft & bearing dimensions happened to suit off-the-shelf plumbing fittings, but I'm pretty sure this approach could be used on any boat with a trip to the machine shop...
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=120199&hl=puller&st=100
Scroll down to post #183. Obviously , he got lucky in that his prop shaft & bearing dimensions happened to suit off-the-shelf plumbing fittings, but I'm pretty sure this approach could be used on any boat with a trip to the machine shop...
Noting that this thread has evolved towards info on how to replace a cutlass bearing, I recall seeing a number of years ago one of Maine Sail's DIY tutorials on the process.
Here is the link. Scroll down to the opening post:
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=620394&highlight=cutlass bearing
And doesn't hurt to also read the informative replies!
Here is the link. Scroll down to the opening post:
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=620394&highlight=cutlass bearing
And doesn't hurt to also read the informative replies!
You can do it yourself but it may not be such an easy thing to do. We replace our shaft, bearing, stuffing box packing and stern tube last fall: http://www.odalisque.us/2011/12/2011-november-30th-begin-drive-train-rebuild/
It is worth removing the shaft to inspect it for wear at the Cutless bearing and stuffing box. Both are places likely due to wear down. If your shaft is scored you should replace it AND the bearing and worry about your engine alignment. Don't ask me how I know this.
It is worth removing the shaft to inspect it for wear at the Cutless bearing and stuffing box. Both are places likely due to wear down. If your shaft is scored you should replace it AND the bearing and worry about your engine alignment. Don't ask me how I know this.
Except that "Cutless[SIZE=-1]®[/SIZE]" is a registered trade name by Johnson Duramax the makers of the "Cutless[SIZE=-1]®[/SIZE]" sleeve, cutlass or marine bearing. Kind of like sailboard and Windsurfer[SIZE=-1]®[/SIZE].
I actually had this discussion with Duramax directly before posting an article I wrote as I did not want to infringe on a [SIZE=-1]® [/SIZE]trade name.
I was told by Johnson that the commonly used generic name is "cutlass" or sleeve bearing and their registered trade name is Cutless[SIZE=-1]®[/SIZE] and that they own that name. I went with cutlass because that is what most everyone knows them by not sleeve or marine bearing, no need to further confuse.
Also a very large portion of vendors, including reputable prop shops, sell them as cutlass bearings so when folks go looking and type in cutlass they will likely get what they are looking for. By typing in Cutless you might tend to limit your self to the Johnson Durmax product. Morse and Buck Algonquin are also players though the BA product is made by Duramax at last check and they refer to their products as sleeve or marine bearings not Cutless because the name is taken.
For my article I wanted simple and most boaters understand what a cutlass bearing is despite the origins and legal ramifications around the term Cutless[SIZE=-1]®[/SIZE]..
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