Shaft replacement

[Don]

I have a couple of questions here about my 1982 Hunter 27. I was trying to replace the cutlass bearing with many faild attempts. The yard couldn't even get it out using their tool. So I removed the strut. Now I see the shaft is pretty worn and it needs to be replaced. Question #1 Can I remove the shaft and replace it with out dropping the rudder? Question #2 Does anyone know where I can get a new shaft? Question #3 When I removed the strut, I noticed the two plates on the inside of the hull that the screws go though. I believe thay are bedded. Should I remove these plates and rebed them, or can I just rebed and place the strut?

 

[Ed Schenck]

Some thoughts.

You do not indicate make and model but here is my two cents anyway. On any that I have worked on the shaft could be removed if the strut was loose. There is enough play and room in the shaft log to get the shaft past the rudder. Assuming the prop is removed of course.When I had my strut off I used 5200 to rebed between the strut and hull. Inside I used 4200 in the bolt holes and under the plate. It has been four years, nary a wobble nor a leak.Any local marina should be able to point you to a source for a new shaft. They are a common size, just need to be cut to the right length.

 

[Chuck Fort]

How I did it

Last year when I decided that I needed to replace the motor mounts and cutlass bearing and rebed the strut, I could not get the coupling off the shaft. That decided for me that I was not gong to get the shaft out past the rudder. The shaft had to come out the front. My 1983 Hunter 27 has a 1GM. I unbolted the motor mounts from the boat, and slid the engine up a pair of 2x4's to get the engine up high enough to slide the prop shaft out forward under the engine. For how to get the cutlass bearing out of the strut see the link below. Once I replaced the cutlass bearing, I put the strut back on, rebedding it well and using backing plates when through bolting through the hull, put the shaft back in. While you have it all apart, go ahead and replace the stuffing box with new hose and rebed the thing it bolts to (forget what it is called). Put new stuffing in the box of whatever type you prefer. You can get lots of opinions here on the HOW. slide the engine back down the ramps, jack uo one side of the engine at a time and replace the motor mounts. Now take the time to make sure the engine is aligned. It took me 6 hours with the boat on land , but a year later it is still aligned (I check it every so often). If you need a replacement shaft, you can get one at Fawcett's in Annapolis at http://www.fawcettboat.com/Best of luck!

 

[Tim McCarty]

My two cents...

I recently traded in my much-beloved '82 H27 for a 29.5. Check the archives. There are a lot of threads re: prop shaft removal, bearing replacement etc. I removed the rudder (which was the easy part). I cut the bearing out with the blade of a hack saw (also easy). If you need a source for a shaft, contact Toledo Beach Marina (734-243-3800), ask for parts department, and they can set you up with the correct shaft/coupling...you need both as 9 times out of 10, the shaft will not match the coupling. The shaft is 1" Width, HOWEVER, it has two dimples that need to match the coupling. Needless to say if you check the archives, but, the bearing replacement was a BEAR!!! I have to say...everyone thinks that dropping the rudder is such a big job, but, it really is fairly easy to do and even replacing the rudder packing is relatively easy also. The bearing replacement is tough though. Check the archives...lots of really useful info. Just so you know I did rudder work, replaced the cutlass bearing, installed the new shaft/coupling, replaced the packing in the shaft and rudder, so if you need additional info.(and the boat performed wonderfully) let me know. GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Pete]

check with Hunter parts dept they have shafts and coupling.