[C320-list] Propeller Shaft Strut_1994 C320

[Rick Sulewski]

Don,

I have a 95 320 and encountered a loose strut as a result of snagging a 3/4 inch nylon braided line that ended up wrapping around the prop and stalling the engine. Repairs were necessary including a new prop shaft and rebidding the strut. The two strut stud nuts were accessible inside where there was a hull was built  to receive the base of the strut. A few years ago the strut began weeping again after haul out and I just snugged the strut studs and applied some flexible adhesive caulk without further incident. I suggest that the yard may want to consider if the strut studs need to be lengthened and/or consider if it necessary to first remove the additional glass that was added to the 
insider of your hull in order because it may be necessary to remove the remaining old strut studs and nuts to make way for the installation of the new strut.

It appears from your description that the strut had been allowing water intrusion for some time and someone added glass and resin to keep the water from entering inside the hull, all the more reason to have access to the strut stud nuts to ensure that a new secure strut may be installed and properly bedded and allow for the new strut to be  monitored and tightened some time after the repair, if necessary.

Rick
My-Ria #277 

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Donald Poole
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2012 10:16 AM
To: C320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Propeller Shaft Strut_1994 C320

Just purchased a 1994 C320. Survey noted that the sturt was loose and water was weeping from hull penetration. Took her to a boat yard to have opened up, dried out, and tightened. Also replacing the cutlass bearing.  While pressing out the old cutlass bearing the strut broke just inside
(above) the hull line. apparently had been cracked years ago and over the years the salt water did it's number. There was very little metal remaining. Had it failed at sea....well...I'm eally glad it broke in the yard. I haev a new Strut I got from Catalin Direct and new have to install it and align. Inside the hull the existing strut has been glassed over so you cannot see any bolts or anything. While I'm confident that the boat yard folks will try to get it right it's clear that they have not encountered this specific thing before. They are going ot cut into the glass inside the hull  and see what we find. They told me that they believe the strut installs from inside the hull but I found a diagram on line that indicates a recession in the hull that the strut would fit up into from below.Has anyone had to deal with this and can offer any guidance ?