Prop Shaft Key Sheared

[svenskflicka]

Question for the knowledgeable people on the forum:

A friend of ours just bought a new to him sailboat, mid 1980's. He had the marina replace the cutlass bearing before launch as the owner said it needed to be done.

While bringing the boat home, first day on the boat, the propeller shaft key and set screws sheared clear off at the coupler...

No one is getting into the blame game here, but the owner is wondering if anyone knows how this could happen so it doesn't repeat.

Could the cutlass bearing replacement some how have caused this? The marina apparently did not remove the shaft to replace the bearing.

Could he have struck something submerged?

Thanks!

[Knotical]

Did they shear perpendicular to the long axis of the shaft (shaft didn’t turn with the transmission) or parallel to the long axis of the shaft (something pulled the shaft aft)?

Was the shaft freely turning when they replaced the Cutlass bearing?

[svenskflicka]

Originally Posted by navdi

Did they shear perpendicular to the long axis of the shaft (shaft didn’t turn with the transmission) or parallel to the long axis of the shaft (something pulled the shaft aft)?

Was the shaft freely turning when they replaced the Cutlass bearing?

The shaft didn't turn with the transmission.

[Bill Seal]

If the yard didn't remove the shaft, then they must have removed the prop.
Possibly beating on the prop puller may have loosened the shaft in the companion flange.

[Knotical]

Originally Posted by svenskflicka

The shaft didn't turn with the transmission.

Whoa 😮

I know you don’t wanna get into a blame game but this is unacceptable IMO. What the above poster mentioned also makes sense, I don’t have the link but read mainesail’s article on replacing Cutlass bearing, the first thing RC mentions is to un-couple the shaft from tranny.

Btw, which yard did the work? I am not too far from you and would like to know who to avoid.

Thanks.

[svenskflicka]

Originally Posted by Knotical

Whoa 😮

I know you don’t wanna get into a blame game but this is unacceptable IMO. What the above poster mentioned also makes sense, I don’t have the link but read mainesail’s article on replacing Cutlass bearing, the first thing RC mentions is to un-couple the shaft from tranny.

Btw, which yard did the work? I am not too far from you and would like to know who to avoid.

Thanks.

I don't know the marina and have not been involved in what happened so I won't be publicly disclosing the name. If you'd like I can find out and PM you.

It's not on the sound.

BTW, Coney's Marina in Huntington has treated us very well.

[captlloyd]

I don’t see how changing the cutlass bearing would cause a coupling key to shear.

[Mike Banks]

Most likely that the propeller struck something like a log end or fouled a piece or rope.
.