[C320-list] Do you have to remove rudder to remove prop-shaft?

[Jeff Hare]

I was able to replace prop shafts on 2 C320's without removing the rudder.  You DO have to remove the cutlass bearing as Jon says, and should also remove the shaft log hose inside. That will give you enough play so that you can turn the rudder slightly and it will slide out. It will touch the rudder and you'll have to put a little muscle on it but it wasn't hard.  To give you an idea of the time, another 320 owner and I did both our boats in one short day.

Here's a suggestion:   https://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com/  has everything you need except GFO to replace a prop shaft.  The SS shaft, Cutlass bearing, Packing Box Hose, Quality Hose Clamps

1) Replace the cutlass bearing.  It's cheap and you'll have to pull it anyway.  It's held in place by 2 set screws on the starboard side.  The association has a nice cutlass bearing puller/installer tool specially for this.

2) Before you separate the engine-shaft coupler, mark the alignment so that you can match the same pairs of bolt holes. That's the best place to start aligning the shaft when reassembling.

3) Pull the original stuffing box, disassemble, and clean it with a wire brush.  Pull out all the old packing material, put in "GFO Packing" (http://gfopacking.com/ maybe to find where to buy it).  Coat the threads really well with TefGel anti-corrosion grease.

4) Replace the rubber Shaft Log hose (Packing box hose) and all 4 hose clamps.  Only use special packing box hose for this!  Write the DATE REPLACED on the Shaft Log Hose.  Just slice the old hose off and take it off.  It is not wire reinforced. 

5) While you're in there, the short curved section of hose between the raw water intake and the raw water filter should also be replaced and DATED  This hose is notorious for failing with cracks because of the heat and the severe bend it has.  It really is only safe for a few years at a time.

Have fun!
-Jeff Hare
#809

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jon Vez
Sent: Friday, October 7, 2016 4:33 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Do you have to remove rudder to remove prop-shaft?

That was me Warren. I replaced the shaft and PSS and was able to remove the bronze shaft and replace with a SS aquamet as well as the stuffing box. By removing the CB first and slightly turning the rudder off center, we were able to do this without dropping the rudder. My boat was a '99....

Sent from my iPad

> On Oct 7, 2016, at 4:22 PM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Someone once reported that if you remove the cutlass bearing first that the shaft can be removed without removing the rudder. Can anyone confirm this? 
> My stuffing box has about had it (leaks and wear on the bronze shaft after 22 years.) I'm starting to think about replacing the shaft, log hose, stuffing box, and add a flex-coupling. If anyone has done parts or all of this, I'd love to hear about it.
> 
> Warren and Pattie Updike
> 1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Graeme Clark [mailto:cg at skyflyer.co.uk] 
> Sent: Friday, October 07, 2016 12:27 PM
> To: Catalina list
> Subject: [C320-list] Do you have to remove rudder to remove prop-shaft?
> 
> I’m thinking of fitting a dripless seal to replace the original stuffing box. My yard thinks it will be necessary to remove the rudder but I seem to recall that this shouldn't be the case. If the shaft can be removed it would make sense to replace the cutless bearing at the same time would it not?
> 
> Anyone done it?
> 
> Graeme
> No 366. Jaskar, 1996
> ———————————————————
> I work irregular hours and often write emails late in the evening and at weekends; that doesn’t mean I expect you to do the same; reply when convenient!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>