Extending Rudder Shaft

[bristol27]

Whoa, throwback thread!

In any case....you should be able to able to remove and replace the cutlass bearing while in the water if the bearing sits above the waterline. If not the bearing doesn't sit above the waterline, then you could still probably do it, but you better be fast and ready to to do the repair. For example, I've heard of people replacing their propeller shaft cutlass bearing while in the water. If you want to be very safe/sure, then probably best to do it out of the water, but if you're in a pinch, it might work in the water.


And to add a little more closure to this thread, I did end up removing the cutlass bearing and using a single piece of fiberglass tube that ran from the hull to the underside of the cockpit, which created a watertight rudder tube. Didn't fill this area with buoyant foam, because the storage space is too valuable and as folks said, the foam wouldn't help too-too much. Did make the whole area water tight at least.

I've attached an image of the repair in progress, then later with the repair complete.
In short, used a fiberglass tube that was fully fiberglassed with multiple layers, securing it firmly to the hull.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, John R.