[C320-list] Shaft Bearings and Folding Prop Installation. Update on Shaft Noise Issue.

[Dan Winsor]

No bearing other than cutlass.

On Mon, Sep 30, 2024, 20:08 Ian Neale via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Further to earlier emails regarding shaft noise I have an update.
>
> The rotational noice was caused by calcification on the shaft that formed
> alone the groves of the cutlass bearing while boat was berthed over the
> winter, after cleaning the calcification off the shaft the noise was gone.
> Lesson learned, make sure when you run the engine over the winter to put
> transmission in drive to spin the shaft and stop calcification build up.
>
> In the process of diagnosing this issue we also found that the prop was a
> little loose and had slightly slogged out the internal taper of the prop as
> well putting a slight groove on the wider end of the shaft taper.
>
> After much deliberation I have decided to install a Flexofold prop and
> hopefully be able to reuse the shaft by getting the shaft taper machined.
> As part of the instal process the Marina yard has suggested that I install
> a bearing in the fibreglass tube immediately behind my dripless seal.
>
> I am unaware if the shaft only runs in the cutlass bearing or if Catalina
> already have a second bearing between the cutlass bearing and the flange
> coupling, does anyone have any insight on this?  If Catalina don't use a
> bearing is this area, has anyone installed a second shaft bearing in this
> area?
>
> The Yard has also suggested using a flexible coupling rather than the
> flange arrangement, has anyone done this and if so was it satisfactory?  If
> you did do this did you also install the second shaft bearing as outlined
> above?
>
> Finally, has anyone used the Flexofold prop?
>
> Thanks in advance, Ian Neale.
>
> Solutions, #1122.
>
>