[C320-list] Shaft Misalignment

[Rick Sulewski]

Danny, 
	I believe you may have a misaligned strut and perhaps a bent shaft
as a result of wrapping a line, especially if you were under power when the
line was wrapped.  Did you stall the engine after wrapping the line? I had a
similar line wrap incident and my insurance company covered the damage.
Ended up with a stainless steel shaft replacing the OEM bronze shaft. The
strut was pulled and rebedded, the cutlass bearing was replaced, the prop
was adjusted and rebalanced, and the engine was realigned. Total cost of the
repairs back in 1999 was $2,000. 
	Suggest you consider opening up a claim and obtain an estimate if
the strut or shaft can be verified to be out of alignment. My insurance
adjuster came out, inspected the damage, spoke to the service department
about the work and promptly released a check. My marina's service department
dropped the rudder but I believe it is possible  to avoid that extra time
charge if the strut is going to be removed. 
	My strut was not bent because the bronze shaft flexed and was bent
since we wrapped a 5/8ths line and the engine stalled. We were motoring
along at 5 knots when we wrapped the bow line that had not been removed from
bow cleat when we left the dock!  The 35 foot line found its way to the prop
when we changed course to avoid an anchored fishing boat. We raised the sail
to return near the entrance of our homeport marina before dusk, anchored and
then dove under the boat to cut the line free from the prop/strut/shaft. (If
I had to do it again I would have arranged a tow. Needless to say, only 15
foot lines are used at all cleats except the mid-cleats, and all lines are
accounted for in the cockpit immediately upon leaving a transient dock.)
	We hauled out immediately after that mid-season line wrap incident
to inspect the damage but was told by the yardmaster that we had not damaged
the strut or shaft and the boat was returned to our berth for the remainder
of that season. We continued to use the boat every weekend......however, we
noticed the shaft vibration a short time after that mid-season incident
haul-out inspection. 
	Then, a few days after fall haul-out, I observed the strut weeping
and that prompted the pursuit of an insurance claim.  Upon further
inspection by another member of the yard crew, the shaft, prop, and strut
damage was verified as a result of the mid-season incident. The bent shaft
and out of balance prop apparently loosened up the strut.
Rick
My-Ria 1995 #277

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of danny jensen
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 6:53 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Shaft Misalighment

 Dear Group,
I just hauled my boat for bottom paint and it looks like I have a shaft
alignment issue.
Here are links to pics
http://www.mammothcondos.com/c320-shaft01m.JPG


http://www.mammothcondos.com/c320-shaft02m.JPG


Facts
1.	The boat always had a bit of vibration between about 1500 and
2200 rpm
2.	I did wrap a line around the prop last summer but did not notice
any problems - vibration etc.
3.	The mechanic did to alignment etc. 12 months ago.
4.	Boat was surveyed 2 years ago before purchase
5.	The strut looks like it is offset a bit to port (not 90
degrees). Not aligned with rudder? 
6.	No visible wear on cutlass
7.	Evidence of shaft rubbing on bottom of log tube as it exits the
boat. See pictures shaft is buffed inside the log tube
8.	Hull 972 2004 Catalina 320

Questions:
1.	Looks like I need to replace strut?
2.	What process should I follow to troubleshoot?
3.	If strut is bent what other parts do your recommend to replace
while I'm at it

Danny
#972