Drive shaft replacement, am I getting the shaft ?

[rockborn]

my 1980 46 morgan ketch that i bought in april is still in charleston s.c. Ive had alot of upgrades done AC, paint, prop, electrical, plumbing,hyd steering, transmission. but now City Boatyard wants to charge me $5000 to replace the drive shaft which cost $1500 in parts. Sound outrageous to you. $3000 in labor plus haulout ? please someone tell me they are nuts. thanks

[donradcliffe]

Try these guys to get a check on materials prices. If all goes well I would estimate its about a 4-6 man-hour job. If you have to remove and replace the rudder, add another 4 hours.


Propeller Shafts for sale. Buy your Prop Shaft online and save.

[rockborn]

thanks don. the shaft should only cost $600

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by rockborn

my 1980 46 morgan ketch that i bought in april is still in charleston s.c. Ive had alot of upgrades done AC, paint, prop, electrical, plumbing,hyd steering, transmission. but now City Boatyard wants to charge me $5000 to replace the drive shaft which cost $1500 in parts. Sound outrageous to you. $3000 in labor plus haulout ? please someone tell me they are nuts. thanks

it's situations like this is why it's important for a sailor to learn to do their own work! And if they don't know how or willing to learn then they better be willing to open their wallet, especially with larger boats.

Buying an older boat one should expect that there are going to be expenses where there is lack of maintenance.

What access is there to the back of the motor and packing? Are you going to get a new cutless bearing? You may even find out you need motor work. Older boats are a can of worms! One way or the other your gonna pay!

[Cheechako]

Sounds way high to me, but I dont know your boat.

[DeniseO30]

Rock ,you did all that other work and you can't do the shaft? Heck, and friend and me did mine for a PSS dripless about 3 years ago. Guess who had to crawl in and remove the steering quadrant from the rudder post so we could drop it?

[rockborn]

denise, i had all that work done in charleston. i live and work in n.j. I still dont have my boat. if I could only get it up here i can do almost anything myself. i am a paving contractor and am used to fixing equipment. After talking to the boat yard they said they are going to adjust the estimate.

[DeniseO30]

Oh! sorry I misunderstood that you did the work. Being held hostage is not a good feeling

[boden36]

Have they said why the shaft needs replacing. Maybe you could get home with the old one. If not, request a detailed itemised quote.
Regards,
Richard.

[C4 King Cobra]

I did not replace my shaft but I removed it to change my cutlass bearing. The biggest problem was the carrier bearing mid shaft. I had to destroy it to get it off. Removal was simple after that about 2 hrs total including dropping the rudder. 4 bolts on the coupler 4 bolts on the carrier bearing and the grudgen for the rudder. I did get a quote of 800.00 US for a new shaft but did not need one. Total time including cutlass bearing 78.00 US and new carrier bearing 80.00 US about 8 hrs total. I believe our boats are similar. Good Luck

[rockborn]

thanks everyone, the boatyard did reduce their price to $4400 . the carrier bearing was shot, the shaft had excessive wear from catching a lobster pot line or something, the strut in front of the prop had to be re-aligned , which was where the majority of the hours were spent.they are poised to leave for Liberty State Park friday , Finally

[sazarac]

Originally Posted by DeniseO30

Rock ,you did all that other work and you can't do the shaft? Heck, and friend and me did mine for a PSS dripless about 3 years ago. Guess who had to crawl in and remove the steering quadrant from the rudder post so we could drop it?

Small people that are not claustrophobic are valuable.