Advice what to check please. Oceanis 321

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Laundryman

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I picked up a rope around the prop 2 days ago only 300 yds from the marina and was towed in. Boat was lifted this morning and rope cleared. Received a call from the yard to say that they were not happy to put the boat back in the water as there was a gap between the prop and skeg( if that's the right term) as if the shaft had been pulled out. I've asked them to put the boat in a cradle and I plan to go and check it out for myself tomorrow. A list of what to check and in what order would be a good starting point. Any advice gratefully received. As a side issue I may use this situation to replace the Volvo shaft seal which I was planning to replace at the end of the season. I also have a new bull flex shaft coupling which I may fit at the same time. Any thoughts or comments please. Thanks. Alan
 
There is always some clearance between the cutless bearing and the propeller. How much there is varies from boat to boat. You should have a good idea how much there was the last time you saw the boat out of the water, and will be able to tell if the shaft has pulled back. If you have a normal rigid coupling you may find that the Bullflex coupling is longer and results in the shaft being moved back. It may even require you to have the shaft shortened slightly to avoid excessive overhang. If you do have the shaft out consider fitting a rope cutter. The simple disc type needs about half an inch extra shaft length, because you need to maintain a gap of about a centimetre between it and the back of the skeg, to allow water flow through the cutless bearing.

I have a simple disc cutter, and it succeeded in chopping some quite thick rope that I picked up.
 
Beneteau leave a larger gap aft of the stern tube than is normal on other boats. It is between 25 and 30mm compared with the normal 10-15mm. Now is a good time to fit a Stripper (there is a special Beneteau model) to reduce the chances of this happening again.
 
The gap is probably the "hat" of the cutlass bearing that was destroyed by the rope. The remaining cutlass bearing could even found his way up along the shaft (a few centimeters I mean; it happens if the two little screws were damaged too). So, replace the cutlass bearing definately.
 
Forgot to mention...don't start panicing for a bent shaft. Very difficult in the case of Beneteaus because the shaft is very well protected in the skeg.
 
Laundryman said:
Thanks for all your help. Is the cutlass bearing much of a job and where would I source one please? Thanks
Click to expand...

It is unique to Beneteau, but is available from other suppliers such as ASAP. It is a top hat section and inserted from aft, so to replace you need to remove the prop. There are two grub screws through the housing that hold it in place. Would not rush to replace it if the top hat is still in place - it looks like a flange on the end of the housing.
 
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