[C320-list] Propeller Shaft

[mikemellon]

I think Jeff s comments are excellent. One point I might add is that installing a new SS shaft will also enable the prop shop doing the shaft work to make sure the mating face of the coupler is an exact 90 degrees to the shaft which is essential for good alignment of the drivetrain.Mike Mellon La Vida 1996Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> 
Date: 02/12/2019  2:14 PM  (GMT-08:00) 
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Propeller Shaft 

I guess it's all a matter of degrees.  But here's my take.  Sorry it's long.That propeller shaft is probably approaching 22 years of service now.  I'massuming it hasn't been replaced because if it had, it would likely alreadybe stainless steel.No your prop shaft isn't likely to break off, but hitting a or something orwrapping a line while motoring with a heavy prop is a little more likely tobend a bronze prop shaft than a Stainless one.The bronze prop shaft does have more flex than stainless.  That doesn'tmatter much at all when you have a properly aligned engine/shaft and insmooth water.  However under hard load of bumpy seas, you are putting lotsof uneven loading on the engine and will get more shaft whip.  You shouldsee what's happing to your prop shaft in those crazy conditions sometime.(probably lose your cookies with your head stuck under the bunk in thoseconditions, but that's another matter.  :) So, in my opinion, if you're changing your prop to a heavier one, you shouldreplace your cutlass bearing anyway (unless you just did it) because youdon't want ANY play to make the shaft whip worse.  Once the cutlass bearingis out, there's no better time to do the driveline maintenance.  So, upgrade the prop shaft, replace the shaft log, repack the stuffing boxwith GFO (dripless) and pop in a new cutlass bearing and you're all set forthe next 15 years at least (with normal maintenance of course), right?So what does all that cost?  Well, you're already into the prop for $2K atleast. A new prop shaft, shaft log and cutlass bearing is another ~$400.  Atthis point the labor cost to install those is by far the cheapest it'll everbe to do any of this work.  Why not do the job now on *your schedule* and behappy with all that work behind you rather than wait until the boat decidesto have a problem on *It's schedule* right before you head out on vacationor already out there?   My boat normally breaks when I'm out there using it,not when I'm sitting at the dock (well, except for lightning. Lightningbroke my boat when it was sitting at the dock...so there's that.) :/Cheers!-Jeff Hare#809-----Original Message-----From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of JeffSmithSent: Monday, February 11, 2019 6:41 PMTo: C320-List at Catalina320.comSubject: Re: [C320-list] Propeller ShaftMy C320 came with a Maxprop on a bronze shaft. The previous owner told me hethought about converting to SS to reduce the possibility of corrosion. Ihave not heard anyone worry about the shaft breaking from the weight of theprop, though.I serviced the prop and changed the cutless bearing last fall (thanksassociation for making the tools available) and I did not think paying anextra $300 would be worth it to get a SS shaft. You will love the prop,though.For what it is worth.Jeff'94, #121Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of JohnAnderson <jaanderson627 at hotmail.com>Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 5:39:00 PMTo: C320-List at Catalina320.comSubject: Re: [C320-list] Propeller ShaftRoger,I have a 2003 Catalina 36 MKII. The previous owner installed a Max Prop onthe original 1" bronze shaft. I believe the shaft had to be shortened a bit.As far as I know, it is still down there.Unless your shaft is in bad shape already (which it may be), I don't thinkyou'll have any problems with the bronze shaft. Be sure to check the cutlessbearing and engine alignment.The Max Prop works great! You're going to love it!Regards,John AndersonSwellville, Catalina 36 MKIIPasadena MD-----Original Message-----From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On BehalfOf Roger NitkinSent: Monday, February 11, 2019 3:16 PMTo: c320-list at catalina320.comSubject: [C320-list] Propeller ShaftI recently purchased a new Max Prop feathering propeller to replace theoriginal 2-blade fixed on my 1997 C-320.My mechanic says it's too heavy for the original bronze prop shaft, whichcould snap under the weight and strain and dump my new prop into DavyJones's Locker.He suggests I replace the shaft with a new Stainless Steel one.Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this ?Roger NitkinSummer TimeWestport Ct1997 #429