I have a 1983 Hunter 34. The shaft is very slightly bent and needs to be repaired. The yacht yard said they had to remove the rudder to do. Cost of removing and putting the rudder back plus a new or restraighted shaft is over $1000-1200. Anybody have the same problem with a much less costly solution? Thanks, Bill Kirch
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Ed Schenck
Should find in the archives.
Thought I saw that Q&A not too long ago. Last Spring I loosened my bearing strut to rebed it. There was enough play that if I had loosened the shaft from the tranny I could easily have pulled the shaft past the rudder. Even more room with the prop off. But maybe the H34 doesn't have the distance between the hull and the rudder that the H37C has.
Thought I saw that Q&A not too long ago. Last Spring I loosened my bearing strut to rebed it. There was enough play that if I had loosened the shaft from the tranny I could easily have pulled the shaft past the rudder. Even more room with the prop off. But maybe the H34 doesn't have the distance between the hull and the rudder that the H37C has.
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Barry
Do it Yourself
Removing the rudder from an h34 takes about an hour(now that I've done it a few times)not counting the time I needed to dig the hole in the marina storage lot to get it out.(or have the boat lifted) One of the biggest challenges may be getting the flange off the shaft. There are several methods discussed in the archives. Be sure not to break the transmission flange if you use it with a spacer to try and press the flange off. New flanges cost about $40. Here's what I would go in your situation. Remove the rudder and try to get the flange off. If it's difficult cut the shaft. It's bent anyway and may never be right. Buy a new one. Change the packing flax while your in there. A few hour and a few hundred bucks later you'll be sailing. Barry
Removing the rudder from an h34 takes about an hour(now that I've done it a few times)not counting the time I needed to dig the hole in the marina storage lot to get it out.(or have the boat lifted) One of the biggest challenges may be getting the flange off the shaft. There are several methods discussed in the archives. Be sure not to break the transmission flange if you use it with a spacer to try and press the flange off. New flanges cost about $40. Here's what I would go in your situation. Remove the rudder and try to get the flange off. If it's difficult cut the shaft. It's bent anyway and may never be right. Buy a new one. Change the packing flax while your in there. A few hour and a few hundred bucks later you'll be sailing. Barry
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Walt G
Getting the Shaft
On my 37c I had to replace the cutless, which required removing the shaft. Flanges had to be separated, of course. On my boat, to remove the shaft I removed the entire cutless, which was loose anyway (broken bolt). Then there was no problem in getting the shaft past the rudder. I don't know how accessible your cutless bolts are, but removing the cutless may be easier than removing the rudder. And if you have to replace the bearing, which is a likely possibility with a bent shaft, it will be a lot easier on a workbench. Just take care lining everything back up. Good luck. Walt G.
On my 37c I had to replace the cutless, which required removing the shaft. Flanges had to be separated, of course. On my boat, to remove the shaft I removed the entire cutless, which was loose anyway (broken bolt). Then there was no problem in getting the shaft past the rudder. I don't know how accessible your cutless bolts are, but removing the cutless may be easier than removing the rudder. And if you have to replace the bearing, which is a likely possibility with a bent shaft, it will be a lot easier on a workbench. Just take care lining everything back up. Good luck. Walt G.
FYI
I got a price for a new shaft for $100/ft. I would assume that your shaft is about 4ft long. New cutlass is about $50-60. Then you add in 3-4 hours of shop labor. So this price seems a little high to me.
I got a price for a new shaft for $100/ft. I would assume that your shaft is about 4ft long. New cutlass is about $50-60. Then you add in 3-4 hours of shop labor. So this price seems a little high to me.
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Dick Litchfield
DYI and Save
My h27 is a wee bit shorter, but your shaft is the same dia and just a few inches longer. I replaced the prop, shaft, half coupling, cutlass bearing and other smaller items summer before last. The total cost was considerably less than your quote. I purchased a new Austral 3 blade prop and shaft from Wildcat Propellers in Chesapeake VA. The owner got my Aquamet 22 shaft from a jobber in FL. Cost for the shaft and half coupling including shipping was less than $200(cheaper than Hunter). I did all the work myself help including digging the hole to drop the prop/Shaft. The tough part was getting it all aligned.
My h27 is a wee bit shorter, but your shaft is the same dia and just a few inches longer. I replaced the prop, shaft, half coupling, cutlass bearing and other smaller items summer before last. The total cost was considerably less than your quote. I purchased a new Austral 3 blade prop and shaft from Wildcat Propellers in Chesapeake VA. The owner got my Aquamet 22 shaft from a jobber in FL. Cost for the shaft and half coupling including shipping was less than $200(cheaper than Hunter). I did all the work myself help including digging the hole to drop the prop/Shaft. The tough part was getting it all aligned.
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Bob Rutland
Dropping the rudder?
I own a 84 H31, which is very similar to your 83 H34. Last year I hade the cutlass bearing replaced and the yard removed the shaft without dropping the rudder. I asked how they did it? The yard guy said the drive shaft is just enough off center of the rudder to get it past. Hope this helps and saves you some money! Bob S/V Lady Di II
I own a 84 H31, which is very similar to your 83 H34. Last year I hade the cutlass bearing replaced and the yard removed the shaft without dropping the rudder. I asked how they did it? The yard guy said the drive shaft is just enough off center of the rudder to get it past. Hope this helps and saves you some money! Bob S/V Lady Di II
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JoeO
H34 Rudder removal
Bill, I went thru a shaft replacement this past fall when I went to a dripless shaft seal on my '83 H34. I agree with the other guys, replace the shaft if it's bent! I bought a Aquamet 22 new shaft and coupling for about $275 from a Prop shop. I had the yard remove the rudder. You can remove all the steering gear from the shaft and loosen the upper bearing collar and the rest of the job will take about ten minutes for the yard to lift the boat and drop the rudder out. Then you can inspect your rudder bearings for wear/looseness and do a good inspection of your steering system. I found lots of wear there and replaced some parts. You can also remove the prop strut inlieu of dropping the rudder, this will allow you to remove the shaft easily. However, you'll have to re-align the engine after launch, which is not difficult at all. Good luck! JoeO
Bill, I went thru a shaft replacement this past fall when I went to a dripless shaft seal on my '83 H34. I agree with the other guys, replace the shaft if it's bent! I bought a Aquamet 22 new shaft and coupling for about $275 from a Prop shop. I had the yard remove the rudder. You can remove all the steering gear from the shaft and loosen the upper bearing collar and the rest of the job will take about ten minutes for the yard to lift the boat and drop the rudder out. Then you can inspect your rudder bearings for wear/looseness and do a good inspection of your steering system. I found lots of wear there and replaced some parts. You can also remove the prop strut inlieu of dropping the rudder, this will allow you to remove the shaft easily. However, you'll have to re-align the engine after launch, which is not difficult at all. Good luck! JoeO
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