Cutlass Bearing Removal

[awol]

It's a Contessa 32 1982 vintage and the picture shows the end of the cutlass bearing.

Other Contessas have bolted retaining flanges or obvious screws from the side, but mine has no obvious retaining mechanism. My plan is to remove shaft (chop of bottom of skeg, remove rudder) and to attempt to drift the bearing out from inside with a suitably sized insert. Failing that, a hacksaw along the bearing to cut the brass and then try again.

Words of advice/warnings/experiences would be gratefully received before I break my boat. Thanks!

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Is it possible that someone in the past has glassed over the cutlass bearing bolts and all , leaving only what you see at present protruding?
I wouldent advice cutting anything away unless it is totally neccessary to get the bearing off.

 

[awol]

It's not obvious from the photograph but the brass and rubber of the bearing are visible, flush with the fibreglass boss. There is no witness of any screw insertion on either side of the skeg.

I'm sharpening my big hammer!

 

[nedmin]

dont know about Contessa,s but some cutless bearings that are fibre outers are glued in.could it be that type or does the outer part look like bronze?

 

[DavidMcMullan]

Why not send an e-mail, with your photo attached, to the font of all knowledge on CO32s - Jeremy Rodgers and then follow it up with a phone call. I always found him very helpful.

 

[JerryDillon]

I have just removed a Tufnol (cutlass)Bearing from my 1979 Contessa 32. It had no fastenings holding it in place. I made a slide hammer from 3/4 inch round bar.The bearing which was an interference fit came out easily

 

[awol]

1.25" OD/1.00" ID leaves very little to grab on. Hacksaw up the tube and a cold chisel has done the job. Bearing was brass and rubber and was indeed an interference fit.