Replace cutlass bearing Cheoy Lee Midshipman 40

[Sherry O'Donnell]

Hello everyone and thanks for any advise in advance!​

We are new owners and trying to figure out our cutlass bearing situation we have 1 1/4" shaft which is inside a tube all the way through the boat. There is a housing externally just before the prop for the cutlass bearing the external dimension of the bearing is 1 1/2" All cutlass bearings we are finding with those dimensions are 5" long. Problem is the housing is only 3" from where shaft exists the bearing aft and where water exits it's flow through. So what are we doing wrong here?? Also the shaft is really long could there possibly be another cutlass bearing forward maybe just behind stuffing box??

 

[AnsleyS]

Yes, I have seen boats with two bearings, one fore and one aft. You can probably tell before you remove the shaft by cleaning around the shaft tunnel forward end and looking for the bearing set screws.

 

[Sherry O'Donnell]

Thanks... We will check that. Still wondering about the aft housing that's only 3"... Anyone have any ideas about that?

 

[AnsleyS]

Sherry,

I dont understand the 3 inch issue. Please explain further. Pictures would help.

 

[Sherry O'Donnell]

The 1 1/4" shaft is inside a tube from just behind the stuffing box all the way aft where it exits into the housing where the cutlass bearing is OD 1 1/2" this housing is also where the water exits..then just beyond that is a zinc then prop. The space from the exposed end of cutlass bearing to where the water exits is only 3". When I look for a new cutlass bearing that is 1 1/2" for a 1 1/4" shaft .. The only size offered is 5".

 

[AnsleyS]

Sherry,

You say that water exits from the shaft tube in the picture. What water is exiting here? Is there a fitting that we can not see?

When you look closely at the shaft tube, shown in your picture, you will find two or three set screws, probably hex allen wrench heads, that secure the cutlass bearing. Clean, soak with blaster and back them out. Remove the prop, zinc and shaft. You will then be able to remove the cutlass bearing but sometimes you have to section them to ge them out. You will want to do this and check for a forward bearing before you buy a new bearing so you have no surprises. The bearing probably will extend forward into the hull shaft tunnel.

Good luck.

 

[Sherry O'Donnell]

Thanks so much for your input!!