Hi, I've a 78 Hunter 30 with a bronze shaft. On haulout, the cutlass bearing showed itself to be quite worn. I had not noticed any excessive vibration, but with a 1-lunger (ysb-12), it would probably been more unusual if I had..Anyway, after pulling the shaft (backwards - I lifted the engine after removing the coupler bolts revealed it wasn't aligned well anyway) I checked for wear and there is about 1/32 of wear at the cutlass, but more alarming is the 1/16 at the packing gland. Asumming the shaft is straight, does this warrant a replacement? The wear is even (i.e. no gouges, etc), just a gradual depression. Thanks! -Keith S/V Aja Richmond Marina Bay
Worn shaft - how much?
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same boat
I'm in the same boat with mine now. I went to have it aligned and they told me it is either the cutlass bearing or a bent shaft, I figure I should just replace everything since it's 17 years old. The shaft(stainless but I'm not sure abou the monel), coupling, and cutlass bearing is $350 for my 88' 30 and I got a dripless today at the boat show for about $200. Plus the haulout and whatever else I find. My engine mounts are relatively new but you may want to check yours.
I'm in the same boat with mine now. I went to have it aligned and they told me it is either the cutlass bearing or a bent shaft, I figure I should just replace everything since it's 17 years old. The shaft(stainless but I'm not sure abou the monel), coupling, and cutlass bearing is $350 for my 88' 30 and I got a dripless today at the boat show for about $200. Plus the haulout and whatever else I find. My engine mounts are relatively new but you may want to check yours.
Shaft Replacement - NOT!
A little wear at the cutlass bearing is normal. I'd replace the hose that attaches to the stuffing box. If the new hose is an inch shorter or longer you can install the seal on a new spot on the shaft. Even if it the shaft is bent it usually can be straightened. Personally I'd keep using it unless it is very bent or twisted
A little wear at the cutlass bearing is normal. I'd replace the hose that attaches to the stuffing box. If the new hose is an inch shorter or longer you can install the seal on a new spot on the shaft. Even if it the shaft is bent it usually can be straightened. Personally I'd keep using it unless it is very bent or twisted
To Daryl,
Soungs like you are mixing up 'stuffing box' with 'cutlas bearing'. No matter what the length of the stuffing box hose, the location of the shaft on the cutlas bearing remains the same. If the shaft is bent, it's useless. There is no partially bent, that's like partially pregnant.
Soungs like you are mixing up 'stuffing box' with 'cutlas bearing'. No matter what the length of the stuffing box hose, the location of the shaft on the cutlas bearing remains the same. If the shaft is bent, it's useless. There is no partially bent, that's like partially pregnant.
To Alan
Only one of us is mixed up and I suggest you read my post again. The first two sentences are about two different items. Obviously you can't move the position of the cutlass bearing but it is easy and common to relocate the stuffing box. It is also common to have shafts straightened. With proper tools and dial indicators many bent shafts can be brought back to an acceptable tolerance below five thousanths of an inch. Folks that sell shafts and service won't tell you that because the make more money selling new ones. The only thing folks in the industry like more than owner with deep pockets is for people to repeat the nonsence to others that will boost their income.
Only one of us is mixed up and I suggest you read my post again. The first two sentences are about two different items. Obviously you can't move the position of the cutlass bearing but it is easy and common to relocate the stuffing box. It is also common to have shafts straightened. With proper tools and dial indicators many bent shafts can be brought back to an acceptable tolerance below five thousanths of an inch. Folks that sell shafts and service won't tell you that because the make more money selling new ones. The only thing folks in the industry like more than owner with deep pockets is for people to repeat the nonsence to others that will boost their income.
Alan, your record is intact with me.
Even though I have to disagree with you about the bent shaft, it has nothing to do with sailing.
Any shaft can be straightened. Crankshafts too. It's really easy. But, both you and Daryl are right. The first thing I would do is get rid of the bronze shaft. Monel is much more durable. Hunter uses bronze because it's cheap, not because of electrolysis or some other hooey. A monel shaft should last a lifetime and not bend when the inevitable object or rope comes in contact with the prop.
Even though I have to disagree with you about the bent shaft, it has nothing to do with sailing.
Any shaft can be straightened. Crankshafts too. It's really easy. But, both you and Daryl are right. The first thing I would do is get rid of the bronze shaft. Monel is much more durable. Hunter uses bronze because it's cheap, not because of electrolysis or some other hooey. A monel shaft should last a lifetime and not bend when the inevitable object or rope comes in contact with the prop.Why save a dead horse
Guys, I know a bent shaft can be straigtened but if the shaft looks like mine (bronze and old as the boat)for the cost of a replacement being a few hundred why go thru the trouble to have just a straight old bronze shaft? If you are going to have to pull the boat from the water to replace the cutless bearing which is most likely shot I say replace everything that looks involved and be done with it. When I fix something I want it fixed -if there is not enough time or money to do it right the first time what makes you think there will be enough time and money to do it over...
Guys, I know a bent shaft can be straigtened but if the shaft looks like mine (bronze and old as the boat)for the cost of a replacement being a few hundred why go thru the trouble to have just a straight old bronze shaft? If you are going to have to pull the boat from the water to replace the cutless bearing which is most likely shot I say replace everything that looks involved and be done with it. When I fix something I want it fixed -if there is not enough time or money to do it right the first time what makes you think there will be enough time and money to do it over...
Daryl
I was not tryig to be critical....I thought you were mixing them up...my apologies. and I totally agree with trying to save money. Trying to straighten an old bronze shaft is IMHO a waste of effort. Therefore, I would choose a monel replacement. Fred, My Hunter came with a monel shaft. Maybe it was a mistake. I've snagged my share of lobster pots with nary a mark. Caught one once under spinnaker doing nearly 11kts. Brought us to a screaching hault. Had to go over the side to cut us loose, but we still won our class.
I was not tryig to be critical....I thought you were mixing them up...my apologies.
and I totally agree with trying to save money. Trying to straighten an old bronze shaft is IMHO a waste of effort. Therefore, I would choose a monel replacement. Fred, My Hunter came with a monel shaft. Maybe it was a mistake. I've snagged my share of lobster pots with nary a mark. Caught one once under spinnaker doing nearly 11kts. Brought us to a screaching hault. Had to go over the side to cut us loose, but we still won our class.
Alan, you lost me. Why was it a mistake?
And you remind me of the time I was crewing on a buddies boat in the 70s and we were in the lead. The finish line was on the next tack. All we had to do was travel 100 yards and tack to the finish line for our first ever win! All of a sudden we heard a metallic clunk. We looked around for the usual suspects. You know, someone throwing a piece of metal into our sails to distract our attention from proper trim and to make us think the rig was about to come down. Well, a bolt was rolling around on the deck. Ha! Funny we thought. Some joke! Shove it! We looked for the suspect. No one around. Oh Oh. We looked up. The Leeward spreader was dangling free in space and only held up by tape to the shroud. Now what? We couldn't tack or we would lose the rig. I ran forward, grabbed the bolt before it could go overboard and put it in my mouth. Then I straddled the lower shrouds with my inner thighs and used my bare hands to pull myself up to the lose spreader. I was wearing shorts, bare skin! I reached the spreader, grabbed it and somehow held it in place while I dropped the bolt into the retaining hole. I slid down the wire just in time to tack. We crossed the finish line a minute later and won our first race ever. It took two weeks for the bruises on my legs to go away. But we won!
And you remind me of the time I was crewing on a buddies boat in the 70s and we were in the lead. The finish line was on the next tack. All we had to do was travel 100 yards and tack to the finish line for our first ever win! All of a sudden we heard a metallic clunk. We looked around for the usual suspects. You know, someone throwing a piece of metal into our sails to distract our attention from proper trim and to make us think the rig was about to come down. Well, a bolt was rolling around on the deck. Ha! Funny we thought. Some joke! Shove it! We looked for the suspect. No one around. Oh Oh. We looked up. The Leeward spreader was dangling free in space and only held up by tape to the shroud. Now what? We couldn't tack or we would lose the rig. I ran forward, grabbed the bolt before it could go overboard and put it in my mouth. Then I straddled the lower shrouds with my inner thighs and used my bare hands to pull myself up to the lose spreader. I was wearing shorts, bare skin! I reached the spreader, grabbed it and somehow held it in place while I dropped the bolt into the retaining hole. I slid down the wire just in time to tack. We crossed the finish line a minute later and won our first race ever. It took two weeks for the bruises on my legs to go away. But we won!
Monel Shaft
I was curious as well.... Monel is a trade name for alloys containing about one third copper and about two thirds nickel.
I was curious as well.... Monel is a trade name for alloys containing about one third copper and about two thirds nickel.
It's a stainless alloy but
I don't know what, or if a number is attached to it. But I do know it when I touch it or look at it. (a touchy feelee thing) It has a certain sheen. And the texture is, (I'm maxing out my knowledge of English here) satiny, with kind of a slight pull when rubbed. Love it. I don't know of any other stainless used for a prop shaft. Are there any other alloys used? P.S. Never mind. Thanks for the link Tom. Everything the boat owner needs to know.
I don't know what, or if a number is attached to it. But I do know it when I touch it or look at it. (a touchy feelee thing) It has a certain sheen. And the texture is, (I'm maxing out my knowledge of English here) satiny, with kind of a slight pull when rubbed. Love it. I don't know of any other stainless used for a prop shaft. Are there any other alloys used? P.S. Never mind. Thanks for the link Tom. Everything the boat owner needs to know.
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