[C320-list] Propeller Shaft

Tue Feb 12 15:29:16 PST 2019

To all,

I have no strong opinions one way or the other. When I replaced my cutless bearing, changed the bellows on my dripless PSS, and serviced the prop, I considered replacing the shaft, as well. Given that I was on the hard for 10 days already (bottom job where and I chose Interlux Micron CSC which had a 16 hour dry time between coats), I did not want to spend three more days waiting on a shaft (and admittedly I thought I would save the $300 for different repairs).

I have since found this article that might be of interest for those who keep their boats in warm water and are considering the change.

http://highseasyachtservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Marine-Shaft-Crevice-Corrosion1.pdf

I assume this is countered by properly changing zincs, but I offer it for what it is worth. I am not sure that a bronze propeller and a bronze shaft suffer from the same issues.

Jeff
'94, #121, Sailmates

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Dick Walker <dickwalker at att.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 6:07 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Propeller Shaft

So did I 20 years ago.

Happy sailor with the auto prop

Cheers

Dick Walker
740 Olive Ave.
Coronado ,CA 92118
619.435.8986

> On Feb 12, 2019, at 2:57 PM, Jon Vez <jonvez at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> In addition to Jeff’s points, you are also putting undue stress on the strut because a heavier prop will indeed induce prop whip.
> When I upgraded to an Autoprop on my 320 I also changed out the shaft to SS...
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Feb 12, 2019, at 5:14 PM, Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
>>
>> 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'm
>> assuming it hasn't been replaced because if it had, it would likely already
>> be stainless steel.
>>
>> No your prop shaft isn't likely to break off, but hitting a or something or
>> wrapping a line while motoring with a heavy prop is a little more likely to
>> bend a bronze prop shaft than a Stainless one.
>>
>> The bronze prop shaft does have more flex than stainless.  That doesn't
>> matter much at all when you have a properly aligned engine/shaft and in
>> smooth water.  However under hard load of bumpy seas, you are putting lots
>> of uneven loading on the engine and will get more shaft whip.  You should
>> see what's happing to your prop shaft in those crazy conditions sometime.
>> (probably lose your cookies with your head stuck under the bunk in those
>> conditions, but that's another matter.  :)
>>
>> So, in my opinion, if you're changing your prop to a heavier one, you should
>> replace your cutlass bearing anyway (unless you just did it) because you
>> don't want ANY play to make the shaft whip worse.  Once the cutlass bearing
>> is out, there's no better time to do the driveline maintenance.
>>
>> So, upgrade the prop shaft, replace the shaft log, repack the stuffing box
>> with GFO (dripless) and pop in a new cutlass bearing and you're all set for
>> the 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 at
>> least. A new prop shaft, shaft log and cutlass bearing is another ~$400.  At
>> this point the labor cost to install those is by far the cheapest it'll ever
>> be to do any of this work.  Why not do the job now on *your schedule* and be
>> happy with all that work behind you rather than wait until the boat decides
>> to have a problem on *It's schedule* right before you head out on vacation
>> or 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. Lightning
>> broke 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 Jeff
>> Smith
>> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 6:41 PM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Propeller Shaft
>>
>> My C320 came with a Maxprop on a bronze shaft. The previous owner told me he
>> thought about converting to SS to reduce the possibility of corrosion. I
>> have not heard anyone worry about the shaft breaking from the weight of the
>> prop, though.
>>
>> I serviced the prop and changed the cutless bearing last fall (thanks
>> association for making the tools available) and I did not think paying an
>> extra $300 would be worth it to get a SS shaft. You will love the prop,
>> though.
>>
>> For what it is worth.
>>
>> Jeff
>> '94, #121
>>
>> Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
>> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of John
>> Anderson <jaanderson627 at hotmail.com>
>> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 5:39:00 PM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Propeller Shaft
>>
>> Roger,
>>
>> I have a 2003 Catalina 36 MKII. The previous owner installed a Max Prop on
>> the 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 think
>> you'll have any problems with the bronze shaft. Be sure to check the cutless
>> bearing and engine alignment.
>>
>> The Max Prop works great! You're going to love it!
>>
>> Regards,
>> John Anderson
>> Swellville, Catalina 36 MKII
>> Pasadena MD
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
>> Of Roger Nitkin
>> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 3:16 PM
>> To: c320-list at catalina320.com
>> Subject: [C320-list] Propeller Shaft
>>
>> I recently purchased a new Max Prop feathering propeller to replace the
>> original 2-blade fixed on my 1997 C-320.
>> My mechanic says it's too heavy for the original bronze prop shaft, which
>> could snap under the weight and strain and dump my new prop into Davy
>> Jones's Locker.
>> He suggests I replace the shaft with a new Stainless Steel one.
>> Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this ?
>>
>> Roger Nitkin
>> Summer Time
>> Westport Ct
>> 1997 #429
>>
>