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tsl · 03-03-2013, 15:10

I thought changing a cutlass bearing would not be a big project for the Marina service staff to do over the winter. They were also looking at changing out the old stuffing box with a packless sealing system if they could install it without pulling the shaft completely out requiring the rudder to be removed.
I got a call Friday from the Marina manager saying that they think they may have cracked the bronze shaft. My first response was "YOU THINK??"
Lots of shuddering and stammering later he finally asked me to give him a few days to get back to me.
What do you think they did? The prop (seen on the right) is still on the shaft. I don't think it was removed.
Click on the photo. You can see one of two places where the shaft cracked or split at the thread.

**Hudson Force** · 03-03-2013, 15:24

I have no idea as to what they ,might have done, -'looks like a big mistake! Just to clarify, you didn't intend to say "bronze shaft", right?

seahag · 03-03-2013, 15:33

Could be a lot of ways. One would be too much torque on it while in subfreezing conditions, or something happened more like an accident- bumped into by forklift, etc. Maybe they put a really hot torch to it and it cracked from the shock- not sure if that is possible but throwing it out theoretically. Definitely seems fishy that they wouldn't just say they cracked it during the normal course of removal Imo.

Good luck with resolving this.

tsl · 03-03-2013, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptForce

I have no idea as to what they ,might have done, -'looks like a big mistake! Just to clarify, you didn't intend to say "bronze shaft", right?

Yes, it's a bronze shaft.

tsl · 03-03-2013, 15:49

To be clear, It's certainly happened when they were working on it but I don't have a clue as to what they were attempting to do. I see they had removed the set screws from the coupling (back at the transmission). They were likely trying to back out the shaft by removing the prop replacing it with some kind of spacer and then torque on the nut on the shaft. I just can't see how they destroy the shaft while doing that.

rlg · 03-03-2013, 20:43

I would guess its related to pressing out the cutlass bearing. The "press" forces the bearing out and it appears it was not secured properly on that end. You didnt mention if the cutlas bearing got replaced..

**Hudson Force** · 04-03-2013, 03:29

I guess you can tell from my earlier question that I didn't think it was common to find any bronze shafts anymore. I think it's the normal practice to back off the nut behind the prop, but not remove the nut so that the threads are protected when trying to pull the prop off. Rig's idea that the damage could have been done when trying to pull the cutlass is a sound thought, but just as likely done when trying to pull the prop. Has the prop been pulled and then replaced?

zeehag · 04-03-2013, 06:31

might want to check for electrolysis as bronze is a nicely flexible metal. doesnt tend toward splitting.. goood luck.

this per my mechanic, a true boatwright...minaret--what sayeth thou...

tsl · 04-03-2013, 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlg

I would guess its related to pressing out the cutlass bearing. The "press" forces the bearing out and it appears it was not secured properly on that end. You didnt mention if the cutlas bearing got replaced..

Replacing the cutlass bearing was the project. Things did not get that far. I had also asked them to exchange the old packing seal with a new dripless seal if it could be done without completely removing the shaft and rudder.

My guess is that they removed the prop and tried to pull the shaft from the coupling using the nut on the shaft.(the set screws were removed form the coupling) What puzzles me is that I could not remove the prop with a few taps on it. I can't imagine anyone trying to pull the shaft like that without removing the prop. No mechanic could miss that.

I'm concern about how much other damage there may be.

I'm giving the marina manager a few days to find a solution to this. There is no way to drop the rudder as it sits tightly packed with other boats in a paved parking lot.

sww914 · 04-03-2013, 07:02

I think they were trying to remove the prop in freezing conditions with the prop puller cocked to one side. It popped off the end and broke the shaft.
How to remove the rudder is now their problem, not yours.

rlg · 04-03-2013, 07:03

On my boat, you press out the cutlass bearing to give enough wiggle room to pull the shaft without removing the rudder.

**David M** · 04-03-2013, 07:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsl

I'm giving the marina manager a few days to find a solution to this. There is no way to drop the rudder as it sits tightly packed with other boats in a paved parking lot.

Paved parking lot? Sounds like Shadetree Boatyard.

rlg · 04-03-2013, 07:07

Btw, I have an Oday 40. Just noticed you have a 39

tsl · 04-03-2013, 07:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlg

On my boat, you press out the cutlass bearing to give enough wiggle room to pull the shaft without removing the rudder.

Good Idea...
I'm fortunate to know the owner of the boat one number newer. The two boats were born side by side in the factory. He has owned the boat for 30 years. He tried your suggestion with great hopes but to no avail. He also tried to slide the shaft up under the engine/transmission with no luck. He finally had to dig a hole.

thanks for the help.