Replacing a cutlass bearing

Ralph Johnstone · Feb 21, 2013

If the bearing has not been replaced in the 24 year life of your boat, it may well be ready for replacement.

Having said that, be aware that your yard monkeys are most likely a bunch of thieves, and incompetent thieves at that. But don't feel bad as most of us suffer from the same problem.

I would suggest first looking at the bearing yourself rather than just trusting the word of the yard apes. Anything more that a slight side to side movement and you may as well get it done now while it's out of the water and it should last for many years to come.

If you're at all mechanically inclined, there have been a number of excellent articles written on this site, describing in excruciating detail, exactly how to renew a cutlass bearing. Depending on the condition of your prop, strut, and bearing, it may well take six hours to do the job and that's a lot of money to throw at this project. As a matter of fact, I know a lawyer who may have a cheaper rate than your yard apes

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Chef2sail · Feb 22, 2013

Is there play in the shaft when you wiggle it back and forth? Do you know when the last cutlass bearing was replaced? It is a common occurnace and generally lasts 10 years if you motor is aligned properly.

Go to you owners group and find out what is entailed? On my boat the shaft needs to be pulled. Some boats the rudder needs to come off for the shaft to be pulled.

If in fact you need this work done combine other jobs to it. If the shaft needs to be pulled you might as well have the rubber shaft hose inside the boat changed at the same time as they only last 10 years and the part is cheap, but its the same labor cost to do. (This assuming you have a standard stuffing box not a dripless shaft). Also repack the stuffing box. Also make sure your shaft is still straight oif it is pulled. Even a new shaft is not that expensive.

In most cases its the labor that gets you. If you can find away to combine jobs in the end run you will save on labor.

Dave

Ajay73 · Feb 22, 2013

Mike, I have a 1980 C27 and had this work done last year, just after I bought the boat. The bearing was bought from Catalina direct. The mechanic I had took a total of about 2 hours. He pulled the prop and then with a special tool (google Strutpro) pressed the old bearing out and pressed the new one in. I'm guessing he charged about $200 for the whole process. I agree with others on having the stuffing box hose checked out. I replaced mine after I repaired my shaft log because the PO allowed the engine to get so far out of alignment that the shaft wore a hole in the bottom of the shaft log right where you attached the shaft log hose. I needed to pull the shaft to do the repair work and that's when i replaced the shaft log hose. All this work is not rocket science but you need those few special tools that make the work way easier. You could make your own "strutpro" type tool but once the bearing is replaced you probably won't have to ever replace it again. My shaft wiggled up and down and side to side just the tiniest amount but it's best to replace it if there is any movement.

Maine Sail · Feb 22, 2013

mmeechan said:
My marina does a walk around on the boats that are on the hard for the winter and makes note of things they think might warrant service work. I got a call yesterday and they are saying that my prop shaft has some movement in it and are recommending replacing the strut bearing which I have looked up and I think is called a cutlass bearing. They are saying that the work could take 3 to 6 hours depending on how stubborn the bearing is. The replacement part is $85 on the quote, but the labor is $100/hr.

I just bought her last July, and she is my first boat.
Does this sound right to those more experienced than I?

Thanks,
Mike

If your yard is calling for six hours they that likely means they don't own the proper tools to do this job.

They should own a Strut-Pro or similar hydraulic tool for this job. If they have the right tool, and the bearing comes out, (they don't always come out with the press) then the job should be about 1 hour to 1.5 at best... If the bearing does not press out then even 6 hours may be on the light side to do the job properly...

PLEASE ask your yard specifically HOW they remove your cutlass bearing. DO NOT allow them to use a SLIDE HAMMER to remove your shaft EVER!

If they do not own the proper tools for a cutlass bearing removal and they tell you they pull the shaft ask SPECIFICALLY how they "pull the shaft" and what tools they use.. If they don't own the proper tools for the job, not a lot to ask of a "professional boat yard" hold off until you move your boat to a more competent yard that cares enough to invest in the proper tools for the job...

Victoria28 · Feb 22, 2013

My plan is to do the work myself. Our 1992 Catalina 28 (#246) has a slight amount of movement at the cutless bearing so I am going to haul the boat on Monday and replace it.
I'll remove the prop, shaft coupling, and PSS. Then pull the shaft. Using a new, fine toothed hacksaw blade I'll carefully cut through the old cutless bearing wall without scoring the inside of the strut. If I'm lucky enough to have set screws in the strut I will position the cut to allow the use of the set screws to push in the cut away bearing enough so that I can use a needle nose visegrip to work the old bearing out. I will then ensure that the inside of the strut is clean and smooth and insert the new bearing. Replace the shaft with the PSS on and the prop attached. Lastly, connect the shaft coupling carefully with the use of feeler gauges.
Being as this is a project that I have not yet had the pleasure of doing - I'm looking to those who have done this project to comment on the plan.
Thanks,
Bill

Maine Sail · Feb 22, 2013

Victoria28 said:
My plan is to do the work myself. Our 1992 Catalina 28 (#246) has a slight amount of movement at the cutless bearing so I am going to haul the boat on Monday and replace it.
I'll remove the prop, shaft coupling, and PSS. Then pull the shaft. Using a new, fine toothed hacksaw blade I'll carefully cut through the old cutless bearing wall without scoring the inside of the strut. If I'm lucky enough to have set screws in the strut I will position the cut to allow the use of the set screws to push in the cut away bearing enough so that I can use a needle nose visegrip to work the old bearing out. I will then ensure that the inside of the strut is clean and smooth and insert the new bearing. Replace the shaft with the PSS on and the prop attached. Lastly, connect the shaft coupling carefully with the use of feeler gauges.
Being as this is a project that I have not yet had the pleasure of doing - I'm looking to those who have done this project to comment on the plan.
Thanks,
Bill

Please be sure after removal of you shaft coupling that it goes back on with a "light press fit" or light interference fit. It should not just "slide on".... Often times, after removal, the slight layer of rust that broke free has destroyed the "fit" of the coupling to the shaft. This requires a new coupling to be properly fitted & faced to the shaft.

Patrick S/V Shangra-La · Feb 22, 2013

I was getting vibration in my shaft and had the cutlass bearing replaced while the boat was in the water.

This crew came out removed the prop, used their tool and had the bearing replaced in about 2 hours. Total cost for labor $300. but it saved me the cost of pulling the boat, a day of yard time then dropping it back in the water.

If they can do it in 2 hours under water they should be able to do it in less time on the hard.

Victoria28 · Feb 22, 2013

When I installed the PSS a couple of years ago I installed a new coupling and, at that time, I coated the coupling and the bolts with Boeshield. The outer surface of the coupling has a light coat of rust on it now but the bolts and nuts are still perfect and I am hoping the inner face on the shaft is in good shape.

Warren Milberg · Feb 22, 2013

Replacing a cutless bearing is just one of those boat jobs that can easily and rather quickly -- or it won't. If the Strut-Pro is used and it works, the job can often be done in an hour or so. If the prop and shaft have to be removed, it can be a whole other ball game as loosening and removing the shaft coupling, particularly for the first time on an aging boat, can be a REAL challenge. While installing a new cutless is usually not difficult, reconnecting the shaft coupling to the transmission may require refacing it and then realigning the engine. This is not a job for a novice. When I replaced the cutless on my boat, I didn't have a prop puller or Strut -Pro and could not get the prop off so I decided to just drop the strut and take the whole unit home to work on at my leisure in the warmth of my basement. If that is not an option, I think Maine Sail is right in suggesting that you look for a pro who will do this job correctly, with the right tools, and probably at minimum cost.