sources for propeller shaft strut

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Aug 3, 2005
23
- - Astoria, Oregon
I would like to know where I can get a strut (bronze, of course) for my '82 model H37C. Or is it feasible and maybe cheaper to have my old one repaired. I'm pretty sure mine is bent.

My boat is in Southern Mexico but I will be driving back up to the States in March or April so I can take the old one with me.
 
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
I had mine straightened by a reputable yard Chuck. They assured me that they do it all the time and breakage is not an issue. That was in Oct. 2008 in North Carolina and we went on to Tampa Bay without a problem.

There have been some posts recently about the fact that Dahmer Marine is out of business. Interestingly their website is still there and you can find yours at the bottom, part #2005 I think( http://dahmermarine.com/Struts.htm ). If you Search on strut and Dahmer here on SBO there was some discussion about alternative sources.
 
Aug 3, 2005
23
- - Astoria, Oregon
Ed and Stephen, thanks to both of you. The info gives me plenty to work with.
 
Jun 3, 2004
298
'79 Hunter 33' HUN33190M79L Olympia
Hey, Ed. How do you know that one on the Dahmer site is for the H37C? Is it also the right strut for the H33? I ask because it says H-33 and I might need one someday.
 
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Where is Paul from Clearwater? Probably out sailing #&% it. He would know for sure. My strut has the part number stamped on the side. But I can't speak to the H33. If I can find one in our marina yard I will check. But I don't know when I will get back up there. Some of the Cherubinis have that vee strut, part #2010. Yours is like mine I think but there are two lengths, #2005 and #2006.
 

Paul F

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Jun 3, 2004
827
Hunter 1980 - 33 Bradenton
Lol, yes I was out yesterday in 60 degree weather - running in my new engine. I looked at your post and didn't have much to add. I doubt the 37 strut will fit as it is much longer and heavier in build. There is a guy on the site in New Orleans that says he has access to a savage yard of boats. That may be a good source. Or you could take your old one to a stainless steel fabricator - bike shops are good for that - and have one made. stainless steel is strong and will work as well as any casting. You may have to realign your engine after you install the new strut. It depends on what changes are made.

I have had the strut off my Hunter 33. It is a fairly light piece and not as long as the Hunter 37. The shaft on the 33 is one inch. Here is a picture of the Hunter 37 strut that I found. It is nothing like the Hunter 33 strut.
 

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Ed A

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Sep 27, 2008
333
Hunter 37c Tampa
Several commemts. You will have to align the engine after the change. You will need to know the taper angles on the shaft if you have one made.
most times the shafts can be straighened but if they crack you will still need a new one.
usually a compentent marine shop can fab a stainless strut if they have the old one. but that could be a problem for you too. but the shaft has to fit the flange on top and the prop on the other end. length is very critical. to long and it will wobble and flex to short and water will not cool the cutlass bearing in the strut. and you will need a new cutlass bearing fitted to the strut and shaft, and of the proper length.

then after its all together you align run it for 1o or 15 hours and check the alignment again. it OFTEN will change a bit. A perfect alignment will give you no vibration and much longer service to all the components.
 

Ed A

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Sep 27, 2008
333
Hunter 37c Tampa
Oh and after looking at the picture it seems your shaft pretty much has to be bent. but it also looks very long. unless it is pulled back. The prop looks pretty big so maybe thats why it has a longer shaft (hull clearance). but that makes the prop what to whip arround. not too good.
 
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Here's a picture of the H37C strut. This one is a little better than the one in Paul's post. :)
 

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Paul F

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Jun 3, 2004
827
Hunter 1980 - 33 Bradenton
Thanks for a better picture Ed. I got that one from this site in owner mods.:doh:
 
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Yea, being bent and with all those barnacles it was pretty nasty.
 
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
That prop, shaft, and motor cost about as much as the boat Bill.
 
May 31, 2007
776
Hunter 37 cutter Blind River
Then you must have struck a really good deal on the boat! Motor and prop are replacements. Hopefully I never need to buy a shaft. But you are right, Ed. With the new sails, reefer, anchor, windlass and instruments thrown in, I am well over purchase price too. Sure didn't take long!!!
 
Sep 10, 2009
194
Hunter cutter 37 1981 St-lambert
Humm, again I'm raising concern about a stainless steel strut. Most strut are cast bronze, as they will bend if a rode gets tangled or if you hit something. My concern with a stainless steel one would be that instead of bending, it could rip through the hull where it's attached.

I would start by taking it to a good prop balancing shop, they will probably be able to straighten it. Ours was badly bent whent we got the boat and they where able to straighten it just fine. Oh ask them to change the cutlass bearing at the same time and bring your prop so that they can balance it, it reduced vibration a lot on our boat, plus a clean smooth prop will induce less cavitation.

Lol, yes I was out yesterday in 60 degree weather - running in my new engine. I looked at your post and didn't have much to add. I doubt the 37 strut will fit as it is much longer and heavier in build. There is a guy on the site in New Orleans that says he has access to a savage yard of boats. That may be a good source. Or you could take your old one to a stainless steel fabricator - bike shops are good for that - and have one made. stainless steel is strong and will work as well as any casting. You may have to realign your engine after you install the new strut. It depends on what changes are made.

I have had the strut off my Hunter 33. It is a fairly light piece and not as long as the Hunter 37. The shaft on the 33 is one inch. Here is a picture of the Hunter 37 strut that I found. It is nothing like the Hunter 33 strut.
 
Aug 3, 2005
23
- - Astoria, Oregon
Hi again, Ed. I went to the Dahmer web page and found the part number 2005 ok. However, their old part number was H33, which makes me a little nervous! Most of the dimensions agree but my strut has apparently been bent both thwartships and fore and aft so the measurement from the top of the baseplate to the center of the cutless bearing does not agree with that given for 2005. I have not been able to find a link to technical help from Hunter Marine so I could simply ask them for the specs. Do you have any suggestions as to how I might get the correct specs?

By the way, was it Southeast Foundry Corp. that fixed your strut?

Thanks,
Chuck
 
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
I think your answer lies with one of the other H33 owners Chuck. Someone must be out of the water where they could check the number and measure. Personal issues keep me from getting up to the lake or I could do it. The foundry idea turned up from someone on the west coast, I never heard of them. Mine was straightened by a big yard in Oriental, NC, when I had them rebuild my rudder. Name is http://sailcraftserviceboatyard.com/.
 
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