Y33 bearings

[joenurse]

I have been sailing for about 10 years and bought my first boat 4 years ago. This year I bought a Yamaha 33 off the marina for unpaid storage. The boat has been put in every year but has been unused for 3 seasons. I am slowly working on fixing problems so that I can get this boat in shape to sail and it will be a several year project until I am finished. I am learning so I may be asking alot of questions and anything that can be provided will be helpful as I have read many of these forums and everyone here seems to be very helpful. So here is my first question. I had some engine problems and fuel problems which I have resolved but now I have encountered another problem. There is a bearing about 1/4 way down the shaft from the engine which was seized. I greased it and managed to work it free but now it has decided to retire! The vibrations from this bearing loosened the seal in the stuffing box ( I think that is the correct term) and I now have a bilge pump which is working quite regularly. I think that I will have to have the boat lifted to replace the bearing and I am told that there is another bearing along the shaft that should also be replaced at this time. Does anyone have any idea of part numbers for these or should I just take them out and take them to a bearing supply company for replacements (there actually is one of these companies in my city)? Also is there anything anyone else would suggest while I have the shaft out? Thanks for your help.

Joe

 

[Bob15082]

If you need a manual, go to yamahasailboats.org and request one. After you get the vibration under control, replace the flax in the stuffing box with some which is impregnated with teflon. It cost a bit more, but you can tighten it up until there is no dripping, and it still runs nice and cool. BTW, that second bearing might be the cutlass bearing in the prop support strut.

 

[jnovie]

I have been sailing for about 10 years and bought my first boat 4 years ago. This year I bought a Yamaha 33 off the marina for unpaid storage. The boat has been put in every year but has been unused for 3 seasons. I am slowly working on fixing problems so that I can get this boat in shape to sail and it will be a several year project until I am finished. I am learning so I may be asking alot of questions and anything that can be provided will be helpful as I have read many of these forums and everyone here seems to be very helpful. So here is my first question. I had some engine problems and fuel problems which I have resolved but now I have encountered another problem. There is a bearing about 1/4 way down the shaft from the engine which was seized. I greased it and managed to work it free but now it has decided to retire! The vibrations from this bearing loosened the seal in the stuffing box ( I think that is the correct term) and I now have a bilge pump which is working quite regularly. I think that I will have to have the boat lifted to replace the bearing and I am told that there is another bearing along the shaft that should also be replaced at this time. Does anyone have any idea of part numbers for these or should I just take them out and take them to a bearing supply company for replacements (there actually is one of these companies in my city)? Also is there anything anyone else would suggest while I have the shaft out? Thanks for your help.

Joe

The second bearing is called a cutlass bearing. Visit the following web site in order to get a general idea of the nature of this bearing. If it requires replacement you might want to discuss replacement costs with the boat yard who will be hauling your boat. You may find that pulling the shaft and replacing the cutlass bearing is best left to an experienced professional. If you decide to do the work yourself the yard may be willing to give you general advice on how to approach on the project. Keep in mind that there will be specialized tools necessary to do this job.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/replacing_a_cutlass

 

[Bob Mack]

Joenurse:

I had a 33 MKII for years. It was the model with the engine mounted under the v berth. Which do you have? If so the above remarks are inappropriate with your situation. The configuration in Fig 25 in the manual is inconsistent with the installed system in my MK3. My drive train had a vibration isolator at the engine, another rubber doughnut vibration isolator below the head floor, a pillow block bearing aft of the pillow block and ahead of the mast., and another bearing to the aft of the bilge sump.

One of the pillow blocks my have been added by the original owner, and was a good idea as the total shaft length is in the range of 12 ft. and is overly slender.

I replaced the vibration isolator at the engine with a unit from PYI that fit perfectly. My advice is replace both isolators and both bearings if at all questionable. I'd also pull and mic the shaft and be sure it isn't bent or overly worn. You may have to have the bearings machined to fit, and may have problems with the joints and clamps in the shaft system. My boat may have had an additional joint fabricated, which may be necessary to rebuild the system.

The cutlass bearing may well need replacement as well.

Best of luck

 

[harryjak]

In addition to the above mentioned Compass marine article on cutlass bearings there is a very good one on the stuffing box and replacing flax

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box

HJ

 

[joenurse]

Thank you Bob for your reply and info.

 

[joenurse]

The second bearing is called a cutlass bearing. Visit the following web site in order to get a general idea of the nature of this bearing. If it requires replacement you might want to discuss replacement costs with the boat yard who will be hauling your boat. You may find that pulling the shaft and replacing the cutlass bearing is best left to an experienced professional. If you decide to do the work yourself the yard may be willing to give you general advice on how to approach on the project. Keep in mind that there will be specialized tools necessary to do this job.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/replacing_a_cutlass

Thanks for the link and info. I may just do that have to see exactly what I am dealing with when I get her out and have a look.

 

[joenurse]

Joenurse:

I had a 33 MKII for years. It was the model with the engine mounted under the v berth. Which do you have? If so the above remarks are inappropriate with your situation. The configuration in Fig 25 in the manual is inconsistent with the installed system in my MK3. My drive train had a vibration isolator at the engine, another rubber doughnut vibration isolator below the head floor, a pillow block bearing aft of the pillow block and ahead of the mast., and another bearing to the aft of the bilge sump.

One of the pillow blocks my have been added by the original owner, and was a good idea as the total shaft length is in the range of 12 ft. and is overly slender.

I replaced the vibration isolator at the engine with a unit from PYI that fit perfectly. My advice is replace both isolators and both bearings if at all questionable. I'd also pull and mic the shaft and be sure it isn't bent or overly worn. You may have to have the bearings machined to fit, and may have problems with the joints and clamps in the shaft system. My boat may have had an additional joint fabricated, which may be necessary to rebuild the system.

The cutlass bearing may well need replacement as well.

Best of luck

Bob it sounds like we owned the same boat!!! You are correct the diagrams that I have of the boat from the manual are different from the boat I have in front of me. I do not seem to have as many as you were dealing with though. I have one in front of the mast under the floor boards and then the stuffing box with packing after the mast exiting the hull and then the cutlass bearing (as I now know the correct term) in the strut. Thanks for the info as I will reexamine the boat and shaft to make sure I am not missing an area. Also check the shaft as I have a friend in the steel industry who said it would be no problem to fabricate a new shaft if needed. I really appreciate all the assistance that everyone has offered here. Another reason I love sailing is the comradery with fellow sailors! Thanks again

 

[joenurse]

In addition to the above mentioned Compass marine article on cutlass bearings there is a very good one on the stuffing box and replacing flax

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box

HJ

Thanks for the link Harry it was very helpful