Good morning original poster. Well, the first question would be : did you hit something or wrap the prop in a line? Since the
builder has gone into great detail, is this a common problem with your model boat.
Are you asking our repair opinions because you wish to
DIY or are you asking about the yard estimate.
The next question is simple. Is the strut loose in the
hull or is the
hull flexing.
Does the strut move side to side , fore and aft or only up and down.
Does the prop shaft turn more easily of you push up or down on the strut.
Did you have a lot of leaking past the stuffing box or any other symptoms which got you to look at the strut.
Well the Green Frog is correct. A “tee” shaped strut is a much stronger design. It spreads the load. So...let’s take a look at repair options...DIY.
You will make things a lot worse if everything is not kept in alignment...so let this be your priority. Remember the weight of your
propeller or any mis alignment of your
engine will defeat the repair so off goes the prop and disconnect the
engine.
How far off is the engine with the strut loose. Can you prop up the strut so you are pretty closely aligned to the engine as is?
What we are trying to figure out is a fix without tearing the box surrounding the strut inside the hull, apart completely.
IF...and it’s a big IF, the strut is just loose in that “box” support thing inside the hull...and IF the shaft is centered in the tube, then it MIGHT be possible to fix it by
epoxy injection. A few small holes drilled into the box till you hit the strut will tell you if the plywood is wet. If it is...then a simple repair no longer is possible.
You could add angled supports on the hull exterior or
interior bolted both to the strut and hull but it would be a lot of
work.
We don’t recommend rebuilding the box support system recommended by the
builder. You can cut the box flat to the
interior of the hull...have a tee shaped strut welded or cast . We’d lay up a nice wide area of reinforcement to the hull and bolt the new strut to
bronze reinforcements inside the hull.
Please let us know if you intend to
DIY.
My Green web footed friend exists on a diet of flying insects, lives on an unstable wet pad of dubious strength, and makes the beginning of a nice Cajun dinner...BUT ...he is very knowledgeable, kind and helpful. Thus we leave you in his capable hands as the manatee crew wishes you...happy trails.
Captain Mark