[C320-list] Propeller Shaft

Tue Feb 12 16:34:30 PST 2019

It sounds like you should paint huge shaft with prop speed as well before you install.

It looks like Catalan direct has a shaft for just under 400 dollars. 

Nice article. Thanks fit sharing.

Ted Harrison
Magic Moment 
Hull 424 1997

> On Feb 12, 2019, at 6:29 PM, Jeff Smith <jeffreyssmith at live.com> wrote:
> 
> 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
> 