Catalina 38 cracked shaft log tube

[elittke]

My 1983 Catalina 38 developed a leak around the hose attached to the stuffing box - I am the original owner and had the boat hauled, disconnected the flange from the transmission, moved the stuffing box and it's hose forward and found these cracks. I decided to retighten the hose in its forward position (as shown). Now if I attempt to turn the propeller it seems very difficult to turn. Could this be a case of the prior mechanic over tightening the stuffing box? As a side note, the rudder stuffing box has come loose from the rudder post, it was tightened at the same time (about 4 years ago). Looking at the fracture lines one going across and one going longitudinal it seems indicative of something that was forcefully twisted.