Shaft Strut

[Sylvain]

I tangled a sheet around the propeller last August. A series of problems in a short amount of time but the result is that I have a bent propeller strut.

I removed the two nuts holding the strut but nothing's moving.

Anybody out there with some tips?

Cheers!
Sylvain

 

[MetricMountie]

Prop Strut

The strut was more than likely installed by the PO using 3M 5200 as a sealant under the strut mount. The strut probably has a backing plate on the inside as well which may be sealed with 5200.

When this happened with out 27, I disconnected the shaft at the coupling/stuffing box and then pulled the shaft aft through the strut. Once the shaft has been removed you should be able to break the bent strut loose from the hull.

Once removed you should take the shaft to a machine shop to have it checked for bends prior to re-installation. You should be able to find the manufacturers name on the strut and order a new one from them. The name escapes me at the moment.

 

[Jim Legere]

I think most of the OEM struts were from Dahmer Marine (now out of business). The patterns were purchased by Milller Island Propellers and replacements are now available from them:
http://millersislandprop.com/underwater_hardware/

 

[tomgrigsby]

I tangled a sheet around the propeller last August. A series of problems in a short amount of time but the result is that I have a bent propeller strut.

I removed the two nuts holding the strut but nothing's moving.

Anybody out there with some tips?

Cheers!
Sylvain

Not sure what you mean by two nuts. Should be about 6 screws attaching strut to hull. Nuts inside.
BTW I just replaced my strut with a unit from Miller Island Propellers (thanks to poster's on this forum). Excellent fit and great service. They had mine in stock for a 79 30'.

 

[Sylvain]

Tom,
Unless I'm missing something, the strut has two studs coming through the hull vertically.
This is the original strut marked H-33.

 

[Jim Legere]

Tom,
Unless I'm missing something, the strut has two studs coming through the hull vertically.
This is the original strut marked H-33.

Tom sails an H-30. I think the H-33 and the H-37C may share the same strut. Not sure about the H-30. I think some of the Cherubinis had a sort of v-shaped mount on the hull?

 

[Mark Ferrick]

My 75 H30 has a V ( actually Y) shaped strut. Page scan0223 of the strut download in the above link. It uses 6 nut/bolt pairs, 3 on each side of the V (Y). Hope that helps.

 

[Sylvain]

Mine us definitely not a Y.

I don't want to snap the studs as it would be a real pain to drill them out.
Next step is to get the dripless seal loose and get (force) the shaft out. Then I may apply some heat to the studs and strut just with a propane torch. It's a bit tricky but I'll put a downward pressure on the strut, heat and tap the studs to see if anything moves.

 

[Jim Legere]

Sylvain, I think your strut is the same as on the H-37C. On mine, I just gave the 2 "studs" a whack with a hammer and a piece of hardwood. They are actually pan head bolts on mine and they came right out through the bottom of the strut. Even with the bolts out, the strut took some prying with a putty knife to get it loose since it was bedded with something like 5200. Your strut looks like it could be straightened?

 

[Stephen Trapani]

I've had my strut (and shaft) off numerous times and it should be an easy deal to just bang the bolts down with a hammer now that you have the nuts off. They will probably then just fall out. Then the strut should come off with some wiggling by hand. I always bed my strut with 5200 and it usually falls off once I loosen the bolts. Highly advised you take the strut off before the shaft. It will be much much easier to get the shaft off.

 

[tomgrigsby]

Tom,
Unless I'm missing something, the strut has two studs coming through the hull vertically.
This is the original strut marked H-33.

Sorry, I looked at your post on my smartphone and it looked like you had the Y type. Amazing that similar boats have different struts. Anyway, looks like the experts have answered your questions. Hope you get it worked out. Best regards, Tom

 

[SailH37]

THANKS to Jim Legere for letting us know about Millers Island Prop, can't wait to replace mine. I couldn't replace mine last time because no one had that would fit, no one. And, I agree at least for the 37C's, two through bolts, then try pulling the shaft, otherwise, you gotta pull the rudder.

 

[Sylvain]

I got the strut off this afternoon thank to a propane torch because no amount of pounding would do.

It's awkward at best to work in that tight area. I heated the aft bolt and used an socket extension to pound it out. I then heated the strut to release the bond and used a small pry bar to work it loose as the forward bolt is right under a stringer and couldn't be hit from above.